A COCKERMOUTH bistro owner who is keen to help other middle-aged women stay healthy and happy has launched classes this week.

Manon Plouffe owns Wild Zucchinis bistro on Station Street. What many people don't know is that she used to be a fitness instructor.

She is now revisiting those skills having realised - through lockdown - that some lifestyle changes had to be made.

"During the third lockdown I had a bit of time to think about my lifestyle," said Manon, who has worked seven-day weeks for many years.

"In my six years at the bistro all my healthy behaviour had gone by the way side, my work-life balance was well out. The time off made me realise I was hitting 55 and needed to implement changes so I didn't become decrepit.

"I was always having aches and pains and decided it was time to turn myself around."

She stopped drinking, started stretching and walking and took up the couch to 5k programme with her friend Sophia Atcha.

Manon is so pleased with her "new lease of life" she wants to help others. So, this week, she has launched G&T (giggle and tone) sessions and also a weekly walk.

"There are lots of brilliant fitness classes but I wanted to create something specifically for women in their 50s," said Manon.

"Lots of us have issues with cracking knees, painful shoulders and necks, so I wanted to help. I want to give women some hope and sense that their body has not given up, they just need to change their ways with exercises."

Working together is so important, she said. "It can be lonely doing YouTube classes, when I did I missed the sisterhood. That's when I came up with the idea of classes and walks.

"We all need motivating and encouraging. Having a buddy was paramount for me in the whole process. I want to provide this for other women of my age, meet others and work together, talk together - and have fun.

"When you hit menopause and are aching you can lose that sense of joy and think 'is this it?'. I want to turn that around. We can talk about the reality of hitting that marker in life. It can be a downer but I want to make it a positive thing."

The G&T sessions cost £5 and take place on Wednesday, from 8am to 9am in Little Lotus Yoga Studio, above Fredericks.

Manon will also be leading a free brisk 5K walk on Fridays, 8am from the bistro.

For more details, call 07967 378180.