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Keep on top of your booze - no sweat!

Introduction

Feeling shaky after a few too many drinks last night? How about a work out to wake you up on your way to the office?

The Drinkaware Boxercise gym that enthralled commuters at London stations recently is taking its healthy message to Birmingham. The aim of the recycling gym station - that really has to be seen to be believed, is to get commuters to consider the question; 'alcohol: how much is too much?' You can experience it at Birmingham New Street station from November 10-15 and at the Bullring shopping centre on Saturday November 16.

Did you know that - apart from other risks like oral and liver cancer, alcohol is loaded with calories? The Boxercise gym station is built out of recycling boxes for a reason. One filled box equals at staggering 11,000 calories - and you wondered where that belly came from.

Just working out how long it's going to take you to work that off will have you in a sweat - for a woman weighing 10 stone (65kg), it would take 16 hours of fast cycling , 13 hours of step aerobics, 42 hours of lifting weights - or even 75 hours of vigorous shirt-ironing . Phew!

But don't let all that exercise put you off. Just think about how much you drink and use your recycling box to help you keep track. The standard box holds 20 empty wine bottles plus 10 small beer bottles - that works out at about 200 units of alcohol. Fill that by yourself every month and you're knocking back 50 units a week - 10 times the guideline for men and 14 times the guideline for women!

You don't have to bin the booze completely - just a few nights off makes a massive difference. Keep  to the recommended Government guidelines - and keep in shape. Stick to an average of 2-3 units a day for women (equal to a 175ml glass of wine) and 3-4 units  day for men (equal to 2 pints of lager) and you're sorted.

Celebrate your new outlook with an alcohol-free night on the town - the Drinkware website is full of ideas. There's even a weekend detox at a fabulous country retreat to be won. Recycling isn't the only way to feel good about yourself - drinking less and exercising more is a better place to start.

Check out the Drinkaware Boxercise gym stations in Birmingham:

Activity times: 7am to 7pm

Birmingham New Street station - November 10-15

Birmingham Bullring shopping centre - November 16