SNJ editor Sue Smith has vowed to get fit in 2009. She has been getting into shape with a morning swim at Le Spa in Cirencester and an after work workout three times a week at Fifth Dimension Health & Fitness Club in Stroud.

A DISASTEROUS week.

Have to hold my hands up and say I didn't manage one visit to the gym at Fifth Dimension.

Have been slightly under the weather all week and completely embroiled in a family crisis trying to find suitable residential care for elderly mother.

Had to cancel my personal training session with JJ as was feeling so rough on Tuesday.

Swapped two bottles of wine with a colleague for a rowing machine which is still in the boot of my car.

Rowing is not part of my programme but I thought it would be a good standby for times when I couldn't get to the gym if only I can muster up the energy to lift it out of the car first.

Did manage a swim every day at Le Spa but that probably didn't help threatening ear infection which will also need to be sorted out before long-haul flight next week.

Have continued to eat healthily and not drinking alcohol for Lent is helping. Nevertheless feel I have hit a bit of a plateau which the staff at Fifth DImension warned me about.

The scales are not moving at all this week although my clothes are definitely more comfortable, especially around the waist and there is no doubt I have changed body shape.

Tried on the ski kit at the weekend with all fingers and toes crossed which does make doing up buttons difficult and hallelujah, it fits.

Sometimes I think it is important to just listen to our bodies and mine has certainly just wanted to rest and I didn't take a lot of persuading.

Nonetheless have felt very disgruntled and have really missed the feeling of well-being from a good workout at the gym. Generally sluggish and fed up and desperate to get back into the routine.

It is bound to happen with our busy lifestyles so we just have to be realistic and not see it as consummate failure. I will be back on course this week.

Emailed son in Canada to ask where I might be able to swim and workout there in between ski-ing and his reply was short: "You will be far too tired to do any of that."

Don't know what he has planned but may have to email back with the emphasis on the word holiday.

Next week: Alex comes back with the results of my food diary