I officially sustained my first boxing injury this week. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a gritty black eye – more like a splotchy, red bruise on my left cheek.

Oh well, everyone has to start somewhere, I guess.

I’m joking, of course. I’m not actually wishing horrific injuries on myself.

Equally, though, I have a reasonably high pain threshold and I’m never one to shy away from a physical challenge, which is why I didn’t shirk the responsibility of partnering my old mate Elvis this week.

In true women’s lib fashion, he doesn’t ease up when sparring with females and I certainly wasn’t about to ask him to.

I later bore the scars of this decision but I also got some very handy pointers and the satisfaction of a very hard workout – and he even paid me the compliment of saying I was a quick learner!

I’ve settled into a nice routine at BoxLondon, now. It seems after seven weeks I fall into the category of regulars and, last Saturday, it was my turn to give advice to my sparring partner, who was attending for the first time.

(Apparently, my tips were almost helpful. Obviously, I’ve been well taught, thanks to BoxLondon’s excellent instructors, Naomi Ryan and Scot Dearling!)

They’re even getting me my very own pair of gloves. It worries me that this is confirmation of the fact I’m starting to get serious about this whole boxing lark but, then again, it’s about the cheapest pair of training gloves I could get my mits on, so I’m still a fair way from a light-heavyweight title bout!

If there’s any new readers out there who would like to give boxing fitness training a go, BoxLondon is always looking for new participants. Hour-long sessions are on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings at the Tooting Leisure Centre, and cost £6.50. See boxlondon.co.uk for more details.

Weight loss so far: 10 pounds