Today's can-do mantra: "Never give up just because you slipped up - you can always try again."

I am almost too ashamed to admit it - but I've slipped up. It sort of happened gradually and I didn't realise it at first. When I tried on my favourite pair of jeans this morning and couldn't zip them up, I swear my first thought was 'Damn - they must have shrank in the wash!' Then I weighed myself and oh dear - I have put on 5kg (11lbs). Eurgh! Major kick in the gut. The curvy 12 is now more of a generous size 13!

I don't really know what happened - it crept up on me slowly. I am eating properly and exercising regularly. So where did I go wrong? I guess I got complacent - while I eat well, portion control has gone out of the window (no it's not ok to eat a whole bag of nuts in one sitting, as healthy as they might be!). As for my workouts, I suppose I have been doing pretty much the same thing for a while and possibly don't challenge my body the right way.

I feel it's time to switch up my routine and find a smarter day-in, day-out way of exercising and eating that will give me a bit of a boost - I have no desire to regain the weight I have lost. As I have a tendency to be a bit all-over the place I know that sticking to a regular pattern when it comes to food and exercise will help me get back on track.

I do not want a short-term restrictive diet, because they do not work in the long-haul - but I do need a plan. I've read countless get-fit books and frankly none of them have inspired me much - most are too gimmicky, complicated or just seem to be about quick-fixes.

The one I do want to give a go is 'Clean&Lean Diet' by James Duigan. It's full of make-sense nutrition and exercise ideas that are about life-long changes not a drop a dress-size-in-two-days starvation guide! James knows a thing or two about great, healthy bodies (he trains Elle Macpherson and Rosie-Huntington Whiteley). Obviously I haven't got the blessed genes of a supermodel - what I like about James's method is that it works on real bodies too. The gorgeous girl on the cover of his book is his girlfriend Christiane - who lost 9kg(19.8lbs) and got her toned rocking shape following James's method.I've seen her in the flesh - she looks incred.

So - I am going to follow the 2-week kickstart as described in the book and diarise it daily in my blog. First day is monday - if you wanna join me, go out and get the book this weekend and let's get clean and lean together.

'Clean&Lean Diet', £12.99 is available on www.amazon.com and www.bodyism.com

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