Michelle's no dumb belle as she gets in shape (From Warrington Guardian)

Michelle's no dumb belle as she gets in shape

IT'S off to the gym for a Warrington hairdresser as she gets to grips with a challenge to change her lifestyle.

Michelle Butterworth, aged 47, is taking part in the borough council's Five Alive project.

She is one of five volunteers taking on a range of challenges aimed at making them healthier and more environmentally friendly, over an eight week period.

And as she reaches the end of her second week, she says she feels 'cool'.

Michelle, who lives and works in Bold Street, said: "I was quite into Celebrity Fit Club, and thought that if I had the opportunity to do something like that with the help of people who know what they are talking about, I would be mad not to take it.

"I stopped smoking about two years ago and put on three stones, so I need to lose weight."

When she arrived at the JJB gym, Michelle started to read notices on the walls, giving her advice about drinking more water to make her less dehydrated, and consuming energy drinks to help her exercise more efficiently.

She said: "In a week I felt brighter and not lethargic."

Another challenge Michelle has taken on is reducing the contents of her rubbish bin - though this has been one of the hardest tasks so far.

She said: "Recycling rubbish is hard. I have had 47 years of just finding a bin and throwing it in.

"I put carrier bags out for each different thing, and then realised that my husband had thrown them all in the bin! So I have bought tiny pedal bins and am training the family.

"In seven years, landfill sites for this area will be full, so I think it is high time that we all tried to do a little bit."

People are being invited to visit www.warrington.gov.uk/5alive to find out more about the Five Alive project, and how they can get involved in the challenges themselves. Expert advice is available for those wishing to get on board.