SOMEHOW this week I started my training being hooked up to a heart rate monitor.

It's not as scary as it sounds just a stretchy strap around my chest under my t–shirt and a watch–like device wrapped around my wrist.

Noelle explains that it's all just to see if I'm pushing myself as hard as I can go. She explains that if my heart rate drops below 116 I'm finding it too easy and anything above 165 and I will find it difficult.

I start the circuit with a feeling of dread in my stomach. I feel I've been working hard, but what if really I haven't?

I start off at the sprint station and after seemingly developing a mild stitch (in record time) but am pleased to see my heart rate concurs with my pain – I'm at 179.

Moving on to the star jumps and again on the skipping I'm pushing 180, it's not until I'm doing the toning exercises (such as the oblique curls) that my heart rate finally lowers, but still no lower than 138.

"This is a good sign it means you're pushing yourself," explains Noelle.

I turn up to my next session, sans heart rate monitor, knowing that I really am pushing myself.

Noelle has suggested that we wait for a few weeks to see how much easier the exercises have got for me by then.

It's certainly still hard work but I am slowly noticing a definite firming in my calves and biceps, though –thankfully – not to the point where I'm competition for the large number of men in my class.

You never know, maybe soon I'll be strong enough to group up with them.