With the weather already improving, it's inevitable that exercise buffs like myself will be looking for outdoor alternatives to the treadmill.

But there are obvious benefits to both indoor and outdoor exercise, so don't cancel your gym membership just yet.

Working out at the gym helps you get into a regular routine and isn't dependent on the weather being good, which let's face it, can be an issue in this part of the world.

The environment at the gym can help motivate you and it's a good chance to meet people with similar kinds of interests, such as food.
You can watch TV while you exercise and, most importantly, there's usually a coffee shop or a chippy near the gym so you can reward yourself for all your hard work on the way home.

But the outdoors has it's advantages too, so I'm told.

The fresh air and surrounding countryside make the Borders the perfect place to go for a walk or a run in the open air.

If you don't want other people to see your wobbly bits while you're exercising, then it's easier to find somewhere quiet where you won't be spotted.

And, of course, there's no-one around to notice if you collapse after just 15 minutes.

So, there's obvious benefits to both really. You just have to decide what suits you.

This week, in a fleeting moment of weakness, I had a McDonalds for lunch and a Chinese takeaway the same night.

The following day I had a pizza from the local chippy, as well as a half-price Easter egg from Tescos.

It might have been a case of 'one step forwards, two steps back' if I hadn't got tired after the first two steps and had to sit down for a rest.