I look around at my friends and acquaintances, people I see regularly and not so regularly – and I wonder at how they look so fabulous all the time. I wonder about it – especially since most of them have at least two kids. I wonder about it – even though I know the answer already. They exercise and they watch what they eat.

When I say they ‘exercise’, I mean they really exercise. Every day. Whether it’s cardio, yoga or with their personal trainers – they do it. One or two of them do it twice a day (why they’d put themselves through that, I don’t know).

And, as I said, they watch what they eat. And I mean they really watch what they eat. They count calories. Or they only have soups, salads and wraps. They don’t eat carbs. They don’t eat white rice or white bread. And they definitely don’t eat anything fried. Or dessert. Unless it’s a special occasion.

So while I marvel at their willpower, I wonder why I can’t do the same. I envy their skinny jeans, slim thighs and lack of pot belly. I HAVE to have a Coke if I go out to eat. And I WANT to have the French fries. And I WON’T deny myself some dessert – on any day. Why? No really, why? Why can’t I just say, ‘Right, today I won’t have a cupcake’ and actually not have a cupcake? Or a KitKat. Or a Nutella sandwich. Mmmm… A Nutella sandwich!

Last month I decided to start going to Zumba classes with a couple of my friends. I went twice a week. For two weeks. I enjoyed the music. And I didn’t mind too much about getting extremely sweaty. But I hate jumping around. First of all there’s no sports bra in the world that will stop my girls bouncing around. And secondly, I’m so heavy I just can’t move fast enough! My other excuse reason for not going any more is that between taking Booni to playgroup three mornings a week and then going to Zumba the other two mornings, I’m not at home on any morning. And therefore, I’m not getting anything done!

I’m getting a bit tired of the digs LagosDad is making about my lack of enthusiasm for exercising. Just because he’s super slim, he goes on about how ‘I don’t eat bread’ and ‘I exercise at home’ blah blah blah. What he doesn’t realise is the more he goes on at me, the less likely I am to trade in my Havaianas for trainers.

So it was after my last conversation with Vins that I decided it was time. Time to start doing something.

I went onto Jumia and ordered my Clean 9 detox kit (N24000). I’ve done this detox before – about two years ago, and I’m ready to do it again.

So it arrived on Wednesday. And I decided I’ll start it on Saturday. LagosDad is going away for work on Saturday, so I thought it might be easier to do it while he’s away.

I opened the box and saw that while the whole detox thing is basically the same as when I did it before, some changes have been made. It’s now called C9 FIT. I had to go online to find the instructions on what to do and when to do it because… The instruction booklet wasn’t in the box. (I have emailed Jumia about this twice. But I’ve still not heard back from them.)

Anyway, so I’m ready to start on Saturday. I just have to go and buy some almond milk tomorrow. And some brown rice and whole wheat pasta or noodles or whatever – and I’m good to go. I think. I can’t remember what the aloe vera gel tastes like – but I do rememer it being absolutely disgusting. I’m dreading that part.

Oh – and once you finish the C9 F.I.T., there’s a 30 day programme called Forever FIT 1 (N42000 on Jumia) followed by another 30 day programme called Forever FIT 2 (N45000 on Jumia). I’d like to try the Forever FIT 1 later in the summer (and maybe even FIT 2 after that) – so if you sell it for less, or know anyone who does, please let me know!

So, it’s time.

Wish me luck!