This morning, I ate half a leftover Easter egg for my breakfast. Well, actually, I had a bowl of porridge for breakfast: I inhaled the Lily O’Brien’s creation at some time between 11.50am and 11.55am. Do I regret it? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Probably.

I’m afraid my diet and exercise plan went well and truly out the window over Easter with a weekend break with my husband to Reykjavik in Iceland. The freezing conditions meant we spent many hours cosied up in charming little cafes, consuming copious cups of hot chocolate laced with thick, whipped cream and devouring stacks of waffles and pancakes, while the runners I brought along with me with the very best of intentions languished alone in the hotel room.

However, it’s a new week and - Easter egg incident aside - I’m determined to get back on track. I didn’t get a chance to run much last week with all the travelling, so I’m committed to doing two 40 minute sessions this week jogging four minutes and walking for one. As I’m currently training separately for the Ring of Kerry, I have to also fit in a few spins on the bike, but it’s a pleasure to be out on these longer evenings. However, if the weather does turn, I find Juliet Murphy’s four-minute workout video fantastic (see www.irishcountryliving.tv) , especially as I can play it anywhere and anytime on my phone once I have wi-fi and have a complete workout in 15 minutes by doing the circuit three times.

This week, Juliet has introduced three new challenges that you can fit in easily during the ads of your favourite TV show, or if you are looking for a quick “head break” from something you are working on. The first is the plank, which I can hold for a minute at a time, albeit under considerable duress. The second exercise- which has the delightful title of torture technique- I manage for just 30 seconds due to my dodgy knees, while the third, the warrior pose, I manage for one minute and 30 seconds on each side before my thighs start to scream. But at least all these figures can be built and improved upon... now that there are no Easter eggs in the house anymore.

How are you getting on with the programme? I’d love to hear your hints and tips. Remember we are all in this together!

Start the fitness challenege by following these links:

Week one

Week two

Week three