Women will do anything to lose weight. Fad diets, gym memberships, they’ve all been tried and tested in a bid to shift the extra pounds. But if you’re looking for a way to kick start your weight loss and drop a dress size in a week then GI Jane Bootcamp might just be the answer, as Hayley Robinson found out.

The women only week-long residential course, which is held at secret locations across Kent, involves groups of women taking part in an intensive training schedule carefully designed by military physical trainers, combined with a healthy, balanced diet.

Keen to find out more I made may way to a place in Sittingbourne where I joined six women on their first day of training.

‘Staff’ Mark Preston, a personal training instructor for the RAF, greeted me on my arrival and handed me a wooden ‘weapon’ which I was told I had to keep with me at all times otherwise there would be a forefeit – press-ups, sit-ups or lunges.

Minutes later we were out in the drizzling rain for boxercise. We were paired up with one of us wearing pads and the other wearing gloves – Staff then had us throwing uppercuts, jabs and hooks as well as doing sit-ups while throwing punches.

The hour-long session finally ended, but when I mentioned that I’d better pick up my stick Staff told me to give him 10 press-ups - it turns out the ‘stick’ must always be called a weapon!

After a short break, we walked over to a muddy hill littered with stones. I gasped when Staff told us we’d be running up the hill as fast as we could and jogging back down it. Until that moment I had never run in my life!

An hour later and we were making our way back to the house for home made vegetable soup followed by a tuna salad with beetroot all washed down with a cold glass of water.

After lunch, Staff had us playing quick cricket and a game similar to netball. Despite being grown women we looked like a bunch of kids laughing and squealing and slipping over on the wet grass!

Our next pit stop was a snack of either fruit or a yoghurt but as soon as it was scoffed down we were back outside pretending we were out in the field under fire.

There I was with my wooden stick – sorry weapon – throwing myself on the ground shouting ‘bang, bang’, rolling left and right and dragging myself across the floor using my elbows and knees. I have never laughed so much in all my life!

Finally, it was time for me to go home.

While it was a lot of hard work it was also a lot of fun. I may not have seen any results after just one day but I think it’s safe to say that thanks to the gruelling regime put together by Staff the six remaining women will lose inches, if not pounds when they leave the bootcamp.

GI Jane Bootcamp is limited to 12 places a week:

All courses are held at a secret location and the price for the week is £1,150 which includes accommodation with shared occupancy, activities, dietary advice, food and drink.

The week long training will help you:

· Drop a dress size in one week.

· Feel healthy fit and toned.

· Change your eating habits for life.

· Help you reach your goals.

· Make new friends for life.

· And most of all have fun!

Hen weekends are also available. The minimum booking is for 12 places, priced at £499.00 per place. The bride goes free!

For more information call GI Jane Bootcamp on 0208 301 4353 or email:info@gijanebootcamp.co.uk