Essex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/ooo-1000x667.jpg" alt="Lisa Miller-Kirwan This Fit Mum" class="wp-image-21793" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/ooo-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/ooo-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/ooo-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/ooo.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lisa-let-s-start-with-how-you-got-to-where-you-are-now">Lisa, let&#8217;s start with how you got to where you are now.</h2>



<p>&#8220;In 2020 my life turned upside down. Furloughed from my job as a recruitment consultant, I separated from my children’s father and suddenly found myself without anywhere to live. I eventually ended up in a small two-bedroom flat with no outdoor space, and, with COVID lockdown in place there was nowhere to go – no parks, no gyms, and no chance to escape the four walls we were confined to. I found myself battling declining mental health, while trying to homeschool my children, who were just five and two at the time.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-exercise-come-in-to-play">How did exercise come in to play?</h2>



<p>&#8220;Keeping fit has always been my anchor, helping me manage an under-active thyroid and PCOS, as well as the weight I gained during pregnancy. I wanted to feel strong and keep my mind in a good place, but with restrictions on what we could do I had to find another way to keep my physical and mental health in check. I turned to my Instagram – which I&#8217;d used as a fitness accountability page for years – and started doing live workouts. It was my way to keep moving, but then other people joined in. I had women message me who also felt overwhelmed and desperate for something to make them feel better. The more I showed up, the more the community grew, and before I knew it I&#8217;d built something much bigger than myself.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-from-there-thisfitmum-was-born">So from there <a href="https://www.thisfitmum.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thisfitmum</a> was born?</h2>



<p>&#8220;Yes, although I never set out to build a business – what started as online workouts quickly went national. We now offer wellness events, retreats, and activities like mountain climbing and water-sports, so women can challenge themselves and build mental resilience. I&#8217;ve also published <em>Fit Mum Meal Prep</em>, a cookbook designed to help busy mums eat well without stress. With my partner in the army I also support veteran groups and army wives, ensuring no woman&#8217;s alone in her journey. I know what it feels like to struggle and feel you&#8217;ve nowhere to turn. Fitness gave me my power back, and I want every woman to feel strong and capable of a life that makes them happy. That&#8217;s what Thisfitmum&#8217;s all about.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-time-to-talk-essex-besides-keeping-fit-with-your-own-business-where-do-you-exercise">It&#8217;s time to talk Essex. Besides keeping fit with your own business, where do you exercise?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/1-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="Mersea Island" class="wp-image-21794" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/1-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/1-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/1-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/1-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;Seeing as I was born and raised in Colchester it&#8217;s got to be a long, leisurely coastal walk on <a href="https://visitmerseaisland.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mersea Island</a>. Besides Mersea being a wonderful place to call my home, it&#8217;s the perfect outdoor space to blow away cobwebs and improve your mental health. If I&#8217;m feeling brave enough I sometimes take a dip in the estuary!&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-want-to-look-and-feel-good-where-do-you-head">You want to look and feel good. Where do you head?</h2>



<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sticking with Colchester for this one. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hair.pimps/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hair Pimps</a> are where I&#8217;ve turned to for the past four years for my hair and beauty needs. They provide an inclusive place for everyone and always make me feel pampered and beautiful.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-you-have-a-favourite-place-to-eat-out">Do you have a favourite place to eat out?</h2>



<p>&#8220;Having young kids means I don’t really get to drink or dine out too much, so if I do I want it to feel pretty special. <a href="https://www.milsomhotels.com/milsoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milsoms</a> in Dedham&nbsp;is certainly that, plus the food and service is always top quality.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/3-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="Milsoms in Dedham" class="wp-image-21797" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/3-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/3-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/3-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/3-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-anywhere-else-you-like-to-eat-or-drink">Is there anywhere else you like to eat or drink?</h2>



<p>&#8220;<a href="https://www.lovethyburger.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Love Thy Burger</a> in Colchester, as it&#8217;s my favourite place for a cheat meal. Besides being a small independent business, which we all need to support, it also serves the best burgers around!&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-anywhere-local-you-love-to-shop">Is there anywhere local you love to shop?</h2>



<p>&#8220;Again it&#8217;s in Colchester – well I do live only a few miles away! As part of my fitness journey I&#8217;ve decided to enter a competition, and <a href="https://bikiniboutique.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bikini Boutique</a> are providing me with a bespoke handmade two-piece. The skill and consideration that goes into creating every one of their bikinis is incredible, and Sammy the owner makes sure everything is perfect.&#8221;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-juggling-kids-and-a-business-must-mean-you-need-some-r-n-r-now-and-then-where-do-you-go">Juggling kids and a business must mean you need some r&#8217;n&#8217;r now and then. Where do you go?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/4-5-1000x667.jpg" alt="Lifehouse Spa &amp; Hotel" class="wp-image-21796" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/4-5-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/4-5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/4-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/4-5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>&#8220;<a href="https://www.lifehouse.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lifehouse Spa &amp; Hotel</a> in Thorpe-le-Soken. My husband and I had one of our first dates there; and it&#8217;s also where he asked me to become his wife. As well as the outstanding facilities, food and treatments, the hotel holds a lot of special memories for me.&#8221;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/book-1000x667.jpg" alt="Fit Mum Meal Prep book" class="wp-image-21798" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/book-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/book-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/book-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/03/book.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em><a href="https://www.thisfitmum.com/coaching" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fit Mum coaching</a> is a personalised nutrition, fitness and lifestyle plan to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Lisa&#8217;s cookbook, <a href="https://www.thisfitmum.com/copy-of-about-thisfitmum">Fit Mum Meal Prep</a>, uses everyday ingredients to create 43 high-protein dishes the whole family will love.</em></p>


My fave Essex places: nutrition and fitness Insta star @thisfitmum

You may also like