It seems to be all about diets this week, from headlines on Famous Magazine “Katie’s Diet Hell!” (when you’re hanging out with Posh Spice, is it really surprising?), “Princess Mary’s Amazing New Diet” on Woman’s Day, and “Stuff the Diet” on NW’s cover. Here’s the low down on the articles:

NW - page 29 - “Stuff the Diet”

6 pages of celebs who are refusing to join the dieting “madness”, embracing their fuller figures. Hooray, some famous women who aren’t terrifyingly skeletal - but I’m disappointed diet and exercise are being blamed for horrendously unhealthy physiques, when taking both these things to psychotic limits are the real culprits.

Here’s a little known fact - you can eat sensibly, exercise moderately, and also be healthy. Ditching the diet might sound awesomely liberating, but if you’re pigging out on the wrong foods, you’ll not only look curvaceous, but develop some health problems along the way.

Why does everything have to be taken to an extreme? Eat some damn carbs! Have some chocolate or a glass of wine. Get active by doing something you enjoy. The idea behind this article is great, but once again, Hollywood goes to crazy lengths in the health and fitness stakes. I give this article ☆☆☆ for the theory, but only ☆☆ for the message it’s sending.

Page 83, Overhaul Diet Hell

This article introduces us to the new contestants on “Overhaul”, brought to you by the “Celebrity Overhaul” team, and this time featuring real people. Reading their daily diets is kind of scary, so I won’t detail them here, but if you’re in the supermarket queue, have a quick flick, and then take a long hard look at what’s in your trolley …

New Idea, pg 107, Get Fit With Guy - “Shape up for Summer”

Hooray for Guy Leech, and his sensible eating tips. There are five here, and all of them are sensible, easy to implement, and the antithesis of the first article discussed in this column. Definately read this, and try putting them into practice. The full ☆☆☆☆☆

Woman’s Day - “Princess Mary’s Beach Body Diet”

Hmm, the old beach body diet rears its ugly head - but this one is actually good. I see the word carbs included - and not in the “don’t eat any” sense! It’s a sensible eating plan, with snacks included, and if the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, the Princess is looking pretty good.

The exercise plan is also great, recommending a slow start, and incorporating incidental exercise into your routine. Apparently some gyms hold exercise classes where you can bring your baby - wait, I’ve heard Hunt’s in Fitzroy have a great class - Thursday mornings at 10.15am! I like the advice for women not to expect to bounce back to their pre baby shape straight away, and to make sure you don’t work so hard you exhaust yourself. Great stuff. ☆☆☆☆

Page 72, Overhaul Special

More about “Overhaul”, and happily some more great tips you can easily incorporate into your life. Mostly about exercise, but includes diet tips like being more conscious about what you eat, and not crash dieting (yeah, take that, Hollywood stars!). After being depressed about the first article, I’m impressed with the subsequent ones. I give this one ☆☆☆☆, and I’ll be watching “Overhaul” quite keenly.