I was discussing my plan for ongoing exerise post fat-camp with one of the behavioral health specialists at Duke Diet and Fitness Center when it transpired that she didn’t know about dancing in bed. I filled her in so with luck this art form (invented by me and my sister in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the mid 1970s )will soon catch on with DFC clients. It may even win Michelle Obama’s attention and prove a turning point in America’s fight against teen obesity.

This is how it goes. Set your alarm to a music station. When you wake up, the first thing you will hear is pop, rock or r&b. In our case, it was the Noel Edmonds breakfast show on BBC Radio 1, but today I use disco hits via Pandora and suggest you do the same.

Instead of getting out of bed, dance energetically while horizontal, enjoying a disco ‘neath the duvet and postponing the evil moment when you must rise and face the day. You should not attempt any vertical action until at least three tracks have played. For added intensity,tangle with the sheets or pound the pillow. If you have company, invite them to join in–you never know what a first dance may lead to.

Enjoy your morning gyrations –the best possible start to the day.