Friday 11th January; Shooka Boot Camp, near Exeter, opens its doors for the first time, with a motley selection of movers and shakers in the health and beauty industry, fitness fanatics, a model, an actress, celebrities .... and three journalists. Welcomed by co-owners John and Stuart, who have visions of affordable boot camps in the UK and a uber-luxury option in Klosters, we settle in for the evening. The Wedding Ideas Awards ceremony was on live stream and I enviously peered at the screen for clues of the sumptuous meal the Guides for Brides team had enjoyed while I had tucked into a tiny, but a delicious, piece of nut-crusted cod.
[caption id="attachment_2560" align="aligncenter" width="225"]7am on a Saturday is not a time I often witness. Today it is followed by a 7.30am fitness test and my first experience of going for a run since my son banned me from running in public several years ago. The juice-only breakfast followed by a second far more punishing workout proved too much for my level of (un)fitness and I was removed from the gym while it spun around me. "Do I need a doctor?" No, but a stretcher would be handy. Banished for a rest I contemplated my frustration at failing on the first morning. Just not an option. A strong mug of coffee was smuggled to the room by Bear - an RAF parachute instructor who's mission is to cajole and cuddle us through the week, and I was instantly revived. Sometimes these things are best taken slowly.
After a lunch of spicy roast sweet potatoes, rocket and cream cheese we are off for a walk.
[caption id="attachment_2557" align="aligncenter" width="300"]9 miles of lanes and tracks in this beautiful, but incredibly hilly, part of Exeter, Â arriving back in the dark.
[caption id="attachment_2558" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Instructors Will, Stuart and Bear with Calum Best[/caption]
Throughout the day our instructor, Stuart Saxby - personal trainer to the stars - had been very honest with all he had planned for us, so when he told us that we would all be suffering the next day, but 40% less if we had a ice plunge, we didn't hesitate in grabbing swimwear and heading to the unheated outdoor pool. Immersing yourself in icy water for 2 minutes before leaping into a jacuzzi would be easier without a film crew trying to capture the experience - complete with a sound track of screaming.
[caption id="attachment_2556" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Supper followed - a delicious concoction of chicken, beansprouts, mange tout and peppers in an Asian style dressing, then, at last, a couple of hours to relax, chat and contemplate the day.