My heart began to race, as I felt the beads of sweat form around my chest.

My cheeks flushed and I emitted a low moan as my back strained towards the black, lycra clad rear of the slightly fitter, equally exhausted girl in front of me, who like me, was running up a steep hill away from the sinister, dimpling cellulite monster that lurks at the park gates (next to the ice-cream and chip vans).

Yes, I realised evasive action had to be taken when I caught sight of myself in a harshly lit changing cubicle recently.

Something had to be done, and my liposculpting and botox fund was at an all-time low, so there was little chance I was joining an overpriced gym yet again.

Did you know that we waste a staggering £37million a year - on gym memberships, exercise and slimming classes that we never attend?!

Recent research revealed forgotten direct debits which still deduct cash, months after the diet fell by the wayside, leaves the average adult with a £303 dent in their finances.

With the average gym membership costing £800-£1,000 a year, it's easy to give up on the whole idea of exercise.

Gyms can also be downright dangerous. As a Mecca for the fit and healthy, they are the last place you would expect to encounter a serious threat to your well-being.

Yet they can be a breeding ground for illnesses ranging from colds and viruses to deadly superbug infections. (Em hand sanitiser anyone?)

It has been previously reported by the Health Protection Agency that about 100 men and woman had contracted a strain of the MRSA superbug at their gym or sports centre.Community-acquired MRSA (known as CA-MRSA) can trigger pneumonia and lead to skin infections which cause boils and abscesses.

Sagging thighs and loose bingo wings are bad and bad enough, and even though I bet MRSA does shift a few pounds, I'd much rather be out in the fresh air exchanging smiley eye-meets with cute park-goers, instead of awkwardly towelling myself off beside some musty yoga mum with a stubborn yeast infection.

So on I pound, Nike clad, through far too hilly a park, having breathless conversations with fellow calorie worriers, having murderous thoughts about anyone who overtakes me, and generally lunging and squatting in a determined fashion. I think it's beginning to work! Now if only I could be as enthusiastic and diligent at excersising my dietary self-control.. (P.S Think about what you are wearing in the gym people! There's nothing more off-putting than dodgy work-out gear. Please note that Lycra is a privilege. Not a right!)