WHEN Stuart said Boot Campers could choose between 6.30am and 8pm sessions, there was never any doubt in my mind that I would be avoiding the early morning one like the plague.

Why on earth anyone would want to complete a gruelling workout at such an unearthly hour was beyond me.

But, lo and behold, that's exactly what I did this morning!

And with bags of energy today, I'm now rather pleased that I did!

Not that I felt like that this morning mind, when the alarm went off. Neither did I feel like that when Stuart announced we'd be training in his local gym, instead of the dew-kissed fields of Irlam!

At 6.30am this morning, me and a fellow Boot Camper, were put through our paces at Irlam Boxing Club - and boy was it tough!

I don't think I'd ever donned a pair of boxing gloves until this morning - and trying to literally throw your weight behind your punches when you can barely keep your eyes open is a tall order!

But ordering people about is what Stuart does best... and groans of 'I'm usually not very good of a morning' fall on deaf ears.

I was exhausted after completing the punishing regime - exercises, punch bags, running machines, steppers etc and was grateful I had another Boot Camper to share it with.

Stuart actually holds his one-to-one sessions in this gym - and as I informed him this morning, as I tried to catch my breath: "I couldn't think of anything worse than being the sole object of your attention!"

But hate him as you may at times - which is useful when you're using the punch bags - you're always grateful afterwards that he's pushed you so hard and you feel like you've had a worthwhile workout.