Moment of truth: It's no good, I've got to do something. This morning the scales show I am past the 10 stone mark - the same weight I was when I was nine months pregnant. And as the summer holidays approach I am no nearer dragging myself to the gym to get any exercise.

The sight of a lithe and fit-looking Carol Vorderman grinning on the cover of her latest detox bible (Detox For Life, Virgin Books) in WH Smith catches my eye - then I notice the book is on special offer and on the spur of the moment decide to give it a go - tomorrow.

Day 1: The detox shopping trip. Having devoured the book (and little else, honest - apart from a chocolate biscuit or three while no one was looking) I'm ready to do a Carol.

At the supermarket checkout I feel very strange to be unloading a trolley with no meat, bread or cheese in it.

Clare Parrack

If she can "drop two dress sizes without counting calories" so can I. So out go milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, sugar, cakes, biscuits, wheat, meat, fish, eggs, salt, caffeine and alcohol for 28 whole days.

So what on earth CAN I eat? Apparently I'll soon be feeling full of beans if I fill up on, er, beans, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruit, grains and lots and lots of water - a whopping two litres a day to be precise.

At the supermarket checkout I feel very strange to be unloading a trolley with no meat, bread or cheese in it.

Back home the cupboards and fridge are cleared of unhealthy temptation to make way for this fruit and nut case's brand new food choices.

Day 2: My second day with no early morning mega-mug of tea to get me going, and I have woken up with a pounding headache.

The book tells me that's my body's caffeine and toxin withdrawal system working. All I know is that I feel awful. Luckily it's Sunday so I can go back to bed for another couple of hours.

After a third cup of lemon and ginger tea the taste is growing on me and I start to feel a bit better.

Day 3: Exercise and exfoliation are important elements of de-toxing - the first to get your body working and the second because it's through the skin that the body eliminates most of its toxins.

Dry skin brushing revs up your circulation

So instead of staggering sleepily into the shower 20 minutes before I'm due to leave for work I set the alarm for an hour earlier and do 20 minutes of bends, stretches and crunches, then scrub my skin all over with a body brush for five minutes before getting in the shower.

Emerge looking pink and feeling surprisingly perky despite the unaccustomed hour, and the virtuous glow stays with me all day.

Day 4: Used to skipping breakfast too, but am also feeling better for having fruit and wheat-free muesli before I leave the house.

Can't say I like rice milk much, though.

Day 5: Hummus, oatcakes and carrot crudites are now my favourite lunch.

No hardship there, but I am feeling bored with entirely veg-based evening meals, however delicious La Vorderman claims they are.

Day 6: Woke up from a vivid dream of munching my way through a mountain of Brie and biscuits washed down with a nice claret - obviously suffering badly from cheese and wine withdrawal! But otherwise feeling good.

Drinking what seems like two gallons of water a day has meant lots more trips to the loo than usual but this seems to be settling down.

And all that unaccustomed fruit and fibre did give me diarrhoea for the first few days but my body seems to have adjusted to that, too, thank goodness.

This one says sheep and goat's cheese and milk are allowed, and so is fish. Hallelujah!

Clare Parrack

And after a couple of outbreaks of spots my skin is definitely looking clearer, and I'm keeping up the exercise routine, much to my other half's disbelief.

Day 7: I know weight loss is not the main object of the exercise but can't resist temptation to jump on scales after a week of self-sacrifice.

Not a good idea. Have lost only a measly pound. But tell myself it's how you feel that counts, and I am feeling more energetic.

Day 8: Stumble on another detox advice book as I wander round town on Saturday, and this one says sheep and goat's cheese and milk are allowed, and so is fish. Hallelujah!

Goodbye Carol Vorderman, hello Jane Scrivener (author of Detox Yourself, Piatkus Books).

Rush home to tuck into salmon with watercress and roasted vegetables with chevre blanc. Now that's what I call a proper detox meal.

I have learned to love brown rice (well, stomach it, anyway) but the strict non-dairy regime has been just too tough for me.

Days 9-13: Feeling far more satisfied on the new detox diet, and keeping up the early morning exercise and body brushing regime.

Only another pound lost, according to the bathroom scales, but I can see my body shape is changing for the better and my skin is softer.

And hooray, the cellulite on my thighs is definitely less noticeable.

Day 14: The biggest test so far is a relaxing mini-break with a girlfriend to a resort hotel. Will I be able to keep up the detox away from home?

She's disappointed that I won't be whooping it up in the bar but after I tell her how good I'm feeling decides to join me for a 'detox special' weekend instead.

Supper on arrival is a buffet-style meal so fill up on a mixed salad starter and pick the veggie special with loads of fresh veg. Washing it all down with sparkling mineral water leaves no room left for dessert - luckily!

Day 15: Breakfast buffet offers loads of fresh fruit and I've remembered to take my herbal tea bags.

A day of shopping till we drop could spell disaster - can I resist the coffee, tea, and cakes I usually indulge in on a day out to keep my energy up?.

But we find a cafe that sells a delicious fresh raspberry and banana smoothie that, along with a packet of nuts and dried fruit, keeps hunger at bay till dinner time. Phew!

It'll be a long time till I eat brown rice again - even if I'm told it is the most effective power cleanser for the gut!

Clare Parrack

We decide to dine out at a Mexican restaurant where I am pleased to find a detox friendly menu (so long as you avoid the meat and cheese options). I plump for corn taco salad with refried beans and avocado dip.

Resisting the Mexican beer is tougher - especially as we have to wait an hour for our table - but I manage it.

Day 16: Another fruity breakfast, a massage in the beauty salon, and then a relaxing sauna and swim before heading for home. Arrive feeling very good having resisted the temptation of rich food and drink!

Days 17-20: Getting bored with the detox regime and recipes now, though I am definitely feeling much better for it. Adding fish and goat's cheese has made the daily menu easier for me to swallow and my favourite breakfast is now sheep's milk yogurt with organic honey and pistachios - nice memories of Greek holidays!

Day 21: A friend's birthday party tonight and I know I'll have a drink so decide to call it a day with the detox.

Celebrate with a tasty steak and salad for supper - heaven!

But the effects of filling your body with good things do linger - I feel guilty about having more than a couple of glasses of wine and am delighted to wake up with no hangover next day.

And what do you know, I find myself sticking to herbal tea rather than my traditional brew, too.

Weight lost? All of three pounds - but this isn't a diet, I didn't feel hungry (though a little deprived of my fave tastes on occasion) and I definitely feel better on the inside even if I've not shed as much as I'd hoped.

But it'll be a long time till I eat brown rice again - even if I'm told it is the most effective power cleanser for the gut!

Post script: Two weeks on I had lost another six pounds by sticking to a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet.

My craving for bread and sweet things has all but vanished (apart from pre-menstrual chocolate craving) and my weekly alcohol consumption has dropped dramatically - I only drink at weekends now and am keeping up the two litres a day of water.

So would I recommend a detox? It's definitely a good kick-start to a healthier way of living. Whether I keep up the good work remains to be seen!