The Ally McBeal costar gives you her real-life, results-guaranteed 5-step plan to getting a strong body, staying lean and feeling great. By Melissa Foss

1. GET OFF YOUR BUTT
Thorne-Smith may be the only celebrity in L.A. without a personal trainer. So how does she keep herself from falling prey to the "I'll exercise tomorrow" syndrome? "I leap out of bed like a pole vaulter at 6:30 a.m. 6 days a week to work out," says the actress, who began seriously exercising at age 19 (she's 30 now). OK, easier said than done. But here's one of her tips to get going: "Even if you don't feel like it, just change into your favorite workout clothes - I like tighter things because loose stuff gets all soggy when you work up a sweat." And let's face it: Once you have put on all your gear, you'll probably feel too guilty to just plop down on the couch.

2. VARY YOUR ROUTINE
"I'm always changing my exercise routine, or I lose interest," says Thorne-Smith, who does an hour of cardiovascular exercise along with a strength-training activity 6 days a week. She alternates running, biking, or climbing stairs outside or in her home gym. Then she'll pop a yoga or Pilates tape into her VCR to work on stretching and lengthening her muscles: "It's not about bulking up, but getting lean muscles that make you feel physically and emotionally tougher."

3. LOVE YOUR BOD
"We are conditioned to try and whittle our bodies down to be as small as possible, but I don't see the point,'' says Thorne-Smith. "I work with some of the 'impossibles' of the industry, and let me tell you: Those women are born that way. Of course they exercise, but a lot of it is genetic." How not to be envious: "Make the most of your body by molding it so that it's strong and feminine." And if there's a part of your body that simply won't heed? "Don't try and force yourself into a mold you simply don't fit into. If your tummy sticks out a little, just learn to love it."

4. EAT SMART
"I've become addicted to eating well because I feel so much better when I do," says Thorne-Smith. "It's very logical. You just have to give it a chance." The secret: eating as much as she wants ("I never starve myself"), but sticking primarily to protein and fresh, water-based foods like fruits and vegetables. "Which is not to say that I never indulge - I'm a huge sugar junkie - and if I'm desperately craving Hot Tamales, I'll eat every last one in the box," she says. To combat cravings, "I drink water all day. It makes me feel less hungry," she claims.

5. REVEL IN THE REWARDS
"It's hard not to get sucked into the competitive aspect of dieting and exercise, but just ask yourself who you're really competing against," advises Thorne-Smith. "The answer is, only yourself. It is 100 percent true that monitoring what you eat and exercising at a challenging level will keep your spirits high. And feeling great is the best motivation I can imagine." As for the rewards: "Working out makes your body look better, gives you more energy, improves your sleep and lets you eat a lot more without gaining weight." Take advantage of that.

Text is courtesy of Melroseman and was used with written permission.