Hey Oxygen fans! I’m Carla, Oxygen’s Online Editor. For the next three months, I’ll be taking on Oxygen’s Best Body Challenge – join me, and get the beach body you’ve always wanted just in time for summer! Get started here.

Guys, I totally cheated. I’m a fraud! I’m a failure! I’m sorry. :(

I went to visit my parents for my birthday last weekend and I had it all planned out. My only cheat would be a slice of birthday cake. A sliver! I sent my mom the meal plan and warned her to have quinoa on hand.

Everything was going according to plan. I totally ignored the candy when I bought an overpriced magazine from an airport newsstand. I ordered club soda from the flight attendant. I forgot all about the in-flight menu and enjoyed the chicken avocado wrap I had smuggled past security. Success! I celebrated my victories and thought to myself, this is going to be easy.

The first day started off well enough, too. I made everyone egg-white French toast from the meal plan in the morning. I had a salad at lunch and ordered smart when we went out for my birthday dinner. But then came the cake. One bite, and my resolve crumbled. And it didn’t stop after my second slice. It was like, “Well, I’ve already messed it up this weekend. What’s the point now?” I felt totally defeated. My flight back home was a blur of Reese’s Pieces, ginger ale and guilt. Since then, I’ve gotten back on track but I talked to Health Editor Kasia Kurek for some tips. How do I avoid this spiral next time? Here's her advice:

1) Hit refresh. Rather than waiting until the next morning to re-start your healthy-eating habits, find a way to mentally reset the day, starting immediately after your cheat. Wipe the slate clean and start fresh by hitting the gym, creating a clean meal plan for the rest of the day, or clearing your mind with a meditation session. Think of activities that you associate with a new beginning. For example, starting a new workout or diet journal (or just beginning a fresh page) can make you feel renewed.

2) Visualize cake. I know this sounds counter-productive, but rather than imagining it in all its gooey, chocolatey glory, visualize yourself turning it away. Mentally rehearsing how you will overcome obstacles (such as icing) will prepare you for these challenges when they pop up in real life. It actually "tricks" your brain into believing that you've performed the action before, so turning down the plate will feel natural, rather than excruciating.

3) Think back. Instead of beating yourself up over your pig-out session, remember a time when you exercised incredible willpower. Play it over and over in your head. Focusing on your past successes, rather than failures, will boost your confidence at this crucial time, and help you to identify yourself as someone with the power to overcome temptation. If you've done it before, you can do it this time.

While the meal plan was a bust, I did manage to get all my workouts in. I went through the program with my mom in the garage. Wall squats! My archnemesis. 48 hours later my mom texted me “Thanks for the screamin’ quads!” Anytime, mom. Anytime.