I never thought I’d say it, but I love my gym sessions | Rick Jackson

It’s something I’m desperately trying to change, but how on earth am I going to achieve it?

You may remember that late last year I was set a challenge on my breakfast show.

It was called Get Rick Fit and it meant I had to join a gym for six weeks to get the ball rolling on finally losing my middle-aged spread.

I enjoyed the six weeks so much I joined the gym full time and now, at the beginning of March, I’m starting to see the results at last.

Like so many, I had always hated the gym.

I’d join, go for a few weeks not really knowing what to do, feel nervous about using the equipment and then I’d give up.

Now, I can’t wait to go to the gym.

I drive to Farlington, follow the sign on the other side of Sainsbury’s and I’m almost there.

This is very much unlike me, but once I get there, I’m greeted by friendly faces and the smell of freshly-brewed coffee.

For me, a small group, personal training gym is the way to go.

I actually look forward to seeing who I am going to be working out with and which top coach I’m going to be assigned to.

When I work out, I put in 100 per cent effort.

Again, this is not like me but I realise the only person I’m cheating if I don’t try my best, is me.

So now my definition is really improving and so is my posture. My back is so much better and I’ve even got a ‘two pack’!

Sadly, the lifebelt of blubber I have around my waist refuses to budge.

Even though I get excellent nutritional advice, a long, hectic day means biscuits, treats and wine are so hard to resist.

Then there is the guilt of knowing that all that hard work will not fully pay off while a toasted hot cross bun with lashings of butter is in my hand and about to enter my mouth.

The gym has a slogan ‘the body achieves what the mind believes’. I can work the body, but now I need to work on my mind, my toughest challenge yet.

Babies run every dad ragged so Boris has nothing to fear

Turns out Boris Johnson was a busy boy during the general election as he and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds are expecting a baby.

On January 1 Boris also dropped to one knee and proposed. He will become the first prime minister to marry while in office for 250 years. I’m sure Tony Blair and David Cameron will have plenty of advice about running the country and changing nappies at the same time.

All dads know what it’s like with a new-born. Sleepless nights, bags under your eyes, eating badly, no time to wash or iron your clothes and looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards. Johnson won’t notice any difference.

Saturday nights are now a pain thanks to Ant and Dec

Saturday evenings watching Saturday Night Takeaway with Ant and Dec is loved by my wife yet endured by me.

I’ve seen it all before on Noel’s House Party. This series is full of Ant’s cock-ups and bad press, including The Pussycat Dolls’ inappropriate outfits and Ant and Dec insulting Koreans.

Then there is Andi Peters, on location on Tyneside where angry Newcastle fans unfurled a nasty banner aimed at club owner Mike Ashley. It could have been worse for Andi. He could have been the Sky Sports reporter outside a stadium with a gaggle of fans using rubber implements from Ann Summers seeing if they would fit up the reporter’s nose!