FOR someone whose daily fitness regime consists of walking to the kitchen to put the kettle on, Stu's got quite a challenge ahead of him.

His Boot Camp promises weight-loss (as long as everything's followed properly!) but I'm also hoping a bit of 'fun' in the great outdoors will provide some much needed exercise-aversion therapy!

So, last night I set off for my first Boot Camp full of hope and optimism that in six weeks time, I'll be able to give Maria Sharapova a run for her money in the fitness stakes!

Well, not quite, but you need a goal don't you?

And I have to say, I was rather proud of myself at the end of the first hour-long session! It was a pleasant, sunny evening in Irlam and a group of us were put through our paces in a small field, much to the amusement of passing dog walkers.

I (surprisingly) managed to complete all of the tasks which consisted of a variety of fat-burning exercises intermingled with jogging and stretches.

I have to admit I wasn't overly impressed with Stu's nonchalant attitude towards slugs and worms though. I appreciate he's worked in all sorts of conditions in the Army but expecting women in Irlam to roll about insect-filled fields at 8pm is asking a bit much!

But the highlight of the night for me was learning a new word: BURPY.

I discovered - much to the chagrin of my fellow Boot Campers - that the biggest 'No No' in the Army is standing with your hands on your hips. It gives out completely the wrong message apparently. Punishment for this heinous crime is five squat thrusts - or burpies as they are known - only it's not the offender that pays the price for indiscipline, but their colleagues.

I think it was after the fifth time my fellow Boot Campers were punished for my bad posture that I realised I'd better shape up sharpish or I'm not going to be too popular on this course...