Mel C's training up a storm

A muscular Mel C cuts a lonely figure as she jogs along a deserted California
beach.  But the Spice Girl insists she couldn't be happier.  Five weeks after
she shook the music industry by announcing she was quitting the Spice Girls -
although she later denied this - new look Mel is enjoying life again.

Currently on a solo tour of America, Mel, 27, was photographed enjoying a
lunchtime jog.  Running effortlessly, without an army of minders or
bodyguards behind her, she was taking time out before her gig at The House Of
Blues club in Santa Monica.  Taking a tip from former fellow Spice Girl Geri
Halliwell's fitness regime, she attended the Yoga Works gym before running
back along the beach to her luxury hotel the Casa Del Mar.

An onlooker said: "She looked a very fit woman.  She was pretty oblivious to
anything going on around her, as she had headphones on.  She was running at a
fair pace for about three miles, then stopped to talk to a friend on her
mobile phone as she walked back to the hotel."

Dressed casually in a figure-hugging vest, Mel showed off her built-up body.
"She looks a lot more muscular," says celebrity trainer Dennis Duhaney.
"She's obviously been working out every day with heavy weights and eating a
lot of protein to get that look.  But her muscles aren't that defined.  To
get the 'cut' look, like Madonna, she needs to burn the body fat by doing
more cardiovascular exercise such as kick boxing.  She's doing a lot of
training and the look she's got is fine if she wants to go into body building
competitions, but for a more feminine look, she needs to cut down on the
weights.  But it's her choice - girl power's all about doing and being what
you want."

A close friend of Mel's confirms Dennis's opinion.  "Mel has been using a lot
of heavy weights to get her muscular look.  Her arms are very powerful and her
upper body is incredibly strong.  From the way she looks, I don't think you'd
like to mess with her."

Mel's gym regime is just part of her new lifestyle.  She says she's fully
recovered from her depression and denies that it was the reason for postponing
her UK tour.  "I had a viral throat infection.  The specialist told me if I
went ahead with the tour as planned, I probably wouldn't get through it, and
also I might never sing again.  It wasn't a particularly difficult choice to
make.  I'm quite happy," she says.  "I'm fully recovered from my depression,
I'm kind of dating guys and stuff, having fun and being youthful."

Mel returns to the UK in May to complete the British leg of her tour, before
starting work on her second solo album.  Her debut album Northern Star has
sold more than 2.2 million copies worldwide.  Since being dumped by boyfriend
Dan Williams of the band Tomcat, she's been linked to film director Dan Cadan.
"It's very early days, so it's no big deal," she says.  "I want happiness in
whatever form it might take, even if it means not singing any more.  I just
want to be happy, because I've been unhappy for a very long time."