I SIGNED up for the Race for Life this week, which undoubtedly piled on some pressure to my exercise regime.

That, along with my recent stats showing that I had gained an extra pound, made me work extra hard this week.

I have to say that I'm definitely preferring the new
circuit. It may mean doing more of them (four instead of three) but it seems to go much faster and on top of that as long as I know that I never have to do one activity for more than a minute I can definitely suck it up and get on with it.

Press-ups were the order of the day this week. After looking at my stats Noelle advised me to work on them to see if I can get them any better.

Instead of going from my knees she tells me to lie down on the mat first and push myself up.

I do the first one with no problem but after the first
couple I'm starting to shake and collapse onto the mat in a heap.

"It was good, don't worry it's just technique," says Noelle.

I look up, undoubtedly red faced, and can just barely manage to smile.

By Thursday night's class – with Easter and all its chocolate looming ahead of me – I'm determined to push myself.

The press-up station is mine!

Although the first time round I need another refresher from Noelle on exactly what to do, by the last circuit I practically run from the skipping station and get stuck in there.

"Very good," shouts Noelle, "you're already improving."

Still out of breath, but this time very proud of my sweating brow, I nod to Noelle knowing that this time I may have cracked it.