HILARY LYTHGOE, WHO’S A BRITISH MILITARY FITNESS MEMBER AT CASSIOBURY PARK IN WATFORD, TELLS US HOW BMF HELPED HER STOP SMOKING, AND CHANGED HER LIFE.

I heard about BMF from my brother-in-law. I decided to give it a try and dragged four friends along with me, two of whom are still attending. To be honest, before I went to my first class I thought I wouldn’t join, as it was outside and looked very difficult. But after my first session, I felt so proud I'd done it - I then thought, I can do this!

BMF has totally changed my life. I was a 20 a day smoker when I started going to classes. My instructors encouraged me to give up, and I promised I would try. I’m proud to say that since 23 September last year I've not touched a cigarette. I have to thank Mathew Moine, the Park Manager at Watford for all of his help – it’s not easy giving up.

Since giving up smoking I had gained nearly two stone, but BMF and a balanced diet helped me lose all that weight. I feel so much better for having given up smoking, and I feel so much fitter thanks to BMF. I try to go three times a week, and love having the instructors there to give me encouragement and to push me to my limits.

I love the fact that every BMF class is different. The variation keeps it interesting, and the weather never stops me training. Rain, wind, snow, and the occasional sunny day - I’ve braved it all. I have met loads of fantastic people too.

The social side of BMF is great. Recently, I took part in The Major Series which involved a night away with a group of BMFers - it was a great laugh. A year ago I never would have thought I'd ever compete in something like the Major. Don't get me wrong, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done but I felt such immense pride afterwards.

I would whole heartedly recommend BMF to anyone. It is a fantastic way to work out, improve fitness and make friends. What more can I say, I love BMF!

STOPTOBER

This month the NHS launched their annual stop smoking campaign – Stoptober. Last Stoptober over 160,000 people stopped smoking for 28 days. If you can stop smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to stay smokefree. Find out more about Stoptober here.