Bring back the Buns of Steel- special edition Ainsley pep talk on the experience of getting your A into G for summer.

I lie..

I never had Buns of Steel. Nor a Will of Steel for that matter. I DO have a cooking bowl that is made of steel, or some similar metallic material, which I have to say has been far too overused in the most recent of times.

BUT! (I've got one of those since being in Chile, the carbalicious diet is a sure way to plump up your cheeks) I did use to have a will for keeping in some sort of shape, as the positive metal and physical benifits always seemed to outweigh the negative. I used to get out there most days, busting a sweat in my leggings and oversized top, living the dream as a POWER WALKER, maybe even hitting up a wee Bums Tums and Thighs class at the local gym. Girls, I'm sure its not only me who thinks to herself around late September every year..."This is the year (inset name here), this is the year. You are gunna get out onto that beach, wearing a sly size 0, and everyones eyes are going to be at risk of being poked out by your rock hard abs.''

Why then, is it soooo hard to force myself back out there into the exercising world, after a short but devestating decent into a carb/refined sugur hell? Well I decided that I was time to MAN UP! And face up to this situation once and for all. Im not necessarily going to be melting all your faces off with my oiled up 6 pack any time soon, but i'm not going to lose this war with the $300 paso-for-6 bread buns from the store down the road either.

I've been back on the walking track every day for a week now, every morning I set out around 9.30 with the babies in pram, huffing and puffing as I walk on tiptoe, pushing them up the face of Mt Everest/the hill I live on. Its been sunny and I like to get emotional to the tunes on my iPod, Im not ashamed to sing outloud (I was however ashamed when a bloke started laughing to my version of ''under the sea''). So far im out there for about 30 mins each day, and even though it doesn't sound like much time, and even though its only been a week, I can already feel the difference emotionally and see the difference physically. I don't feel as nervous about leaving the kitchen for long periods of time like I used to (joke), and I don't beat myself up when I just can't resist that occasional bar of chocolate that makes its way into my shopping basket. I actually have noticed the cellulite that has NEVER graced my thighs before until this very year has certainly reduced to a less conspicuous level, which I am all but sacraficing a lamb with thankfulness about.

I guess what I am trying to say ladies, men, inbetweeners (do I KNOW any??..Lady G), is that if you too are feeling the post-winter downing on your bods is getting you down, don't let it. Get out there for a walk, or bust out the pilates DVD, dust of the gym membership card. Start small, and work your way up to it. It honestly makes you feel great, you know it does, and its just that intial step thats the hardest.

The only place I want orange peel is in my orange flavoured cupcakes. Which I'm going to make right now. Better make tomorrows walk a long one.

Big loves xxxx