Four sessions into my newly launched boxing career, my self-assessment is that my punching has improved but I still need to work on taking evasive action.

My fitness is coming along as well. I can now climb a flight of stairs without pausing for breath halfway up!

This week, I had a brush with celebrity, sparring with Jackie Chambers, guitarist for GirlSchool.

According to some hasty Googling, they are the longest-running female rock band in the world, having been around since 1979. Chambers joined in 2000 and packs a pretty mean punch!

I’m sure they don’t need my help with promotion, but they’ve got a gig coming up supporting Motorhead at the Hammersmith Apollo in November if you want to check them out.

In other news, I’ve been very impressed with my powers of self-restraint. I haven’t had a beer for three weeks which is, let’s face, downright un-Australian – but it’s all for the greater good.

I think when I hit my target weight I might reward myself with a nice, cold Crownie at the Porterhouse pub. Ooh I can almost taste it…now there’s an incentive.

In the past week, I have realised just what a hedonistic lifestyle I lead. My outings have included a birthday bash at a Soho pizzeria, live jazz at a swanky Camden pub and a garden party in north London.

Normally, I would have thrown caution to the wind and ordered whatever fat-laden dishes took my fancy.

This time, all I could think about was the hard work I’d be wasting if I didn’t at least show some level of control.

I’d love to say that barely a lettuce leaf passed my lips but I’d be lying. Still, given the fact I’m a pretty fussy eater, it wasn’t a bad effort.

It’s also not easy sticking to your guns with biscuits and various other treats being offered around in the office but at least everyone’s favourite mum, Sarah, is helping by refusing to bring in one of her delicious Victoria sponges (although that has made me decidedly unpopular with my colleagues).

Weight loss so far: 2 pounds