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ON April 17 this year, I donned my black Lycra cycling shorts, the stretchy sports vest with tight chest support, and an old charity t-shirt. I finished the ensemble with my eight-year-old Addidas trainers over little black socks.

When I looked in the mirror, I saw I had channeled my inner 1980s Jane Fonda - only thicker and darker. This is going to be fun, I thought to myself!

Two hours later I was not smiling, let alone having fun. I had just done what felt like 100km with trainer Justin Egling. Nothing hectic, just walking around his neighbourhood huffing, puffing, and wishing I could blow him away.

"That's good Babs, keep going, you're doing great," he kept repeating to my extreme annoyance."

Twenty one days and 10 sessions later, my body is aching in places I never thought possible, I'm fluctuating between extreme fatigue and short-lived bursts of energy, and my belts are being tightened at far back loops.

Physically, nothing has really changed and that is expected. But inside, the leopard print leotard-wearing Jane Fonda in me is bursting to get out and do 80s disco aerobics.

So far, the cons have greatly outweighed the pros on this journey of a complete lifestyle overhaul. I ache, I'm tired, I have to take supplements that look like dog pills every day, and my face is breaking out.

On the upside, I'm enjoying being active for the first time in a long time. Trilly the Tready and Billy the Bike are slowly becoming friends - them and Justin's three cats.

Let's see where these new friendships take me in the next 10 training sessions. Watch this space...

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