The end of the road

Do you want the good news or the bad news? Starting with the good, I've lost 2lbs this week, according to weigh-in yesterday, and I was so excited by this I went out shopping today for some gym wear. 

I've gone from large to medium in tracksuit bottoms from my favourite store and I even bought a hoodie that was size small.  Spurred on by my weight loss and new purchases, I continued to shop. I must have burned up a few calories pacing up and down Oxford Street and I splashed out on a pair of tailored linen trousers. I've been wanting some for ages, but was determined to wait until I'd could buy a size 12. 

The bad news is, of course, that I didn't reach my original target of 9st 10lbs or even my later target of 10st. However, for the first time in my life I have committed to working out. I've also managed to quit chocolate, albeit only recently, so although I didn't manage to cut out all the naughty stuff and reach my goal, I have made some fairly fundamental life changes. 

I would love to reach 10st but I don't know if I can bear going without the food I love. My personal trainer says when he orders an Indian, he asks then to hold the sauce – and I just couldn’t imagine going through life without a proper Indian! 

I'm away this weekend for a romantic break at a gastro-style hotel so I'd better balance lunch and dinner with some hearty exercise.

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful messages of support. Here's to a toned, sugar-free new me!

A weight-ing game

I've not posted for a few days – I’ve been very busy. As you can see from the picture, I am still working hard at the weights, and although these weights are pink, they are certainly not fluffy!

They're 5kg weights. That might not sound that much but I used to struggle with 1kg weights, so I'm definitely improving.

Food-wise, I think I've really turned a corner. Not eating or even wanting chocolate was such an obstacle for me and the biggest problem with my diet, and thanks to all the horrible facts revealed about chocolate companies (like child labour in Ivory Coast harvesting the cocoa beans), I no longer want the stuff. 

At the weekend, I bought loads of delicious fruit so instead of having something sugary after lunch and dinner, I had a bowl of cherries or lychees or some mango. 

Weigh-in at good old Weight Watchers tonight and I’ll report back tomorrow. Will I have managed to shift the final few pounds?

I don’t believe it!

Despite eating incredibly healthily, having no sugar since Sunday and exercising like a demon, I haven't lost a pound.

The Weight Watchers woman said this sometimes happens and hopefully it'll drop off next week.  So there you go, I'm stuck at 10st 4lbs. Yesterday I had a wisdom tooth removed and could barely eat a thing – that’s why the lack of weight loss is rather bewildering. 

It hasn't dented my motivation though. In fact, I feel more determined than ever. With loads of summer parties and various social engagements coming up, I'm determined to look svelte and glam with no bulges in sight. 

I've almost finished the chocolate book, Chocolate Busters by Jason Vale, and I'm nearly ready to make a public declaration that I will never touch the stuff again! I can't recommend the book enough to people who eat chocolate and wish they didn't.

We've got a street party on Sunday, and luckily it appears everyone is making salads and fish dishes so I should be safe on the food front – that is, as long as I don't linger too much at the dessert table.

Off for a walk now. I've just read that walking burns off the same amount of calories as running – can that be true? Can it? I hope so!

Top tips for choc addicts!

While staying at my sister’s house I noticed a book on her bookshelf called Chocolate Busters by Jason Vale.

I'd actually recommended the book to her three years ago after I'd completely stopped eating chocolate as a result of reading it. I remember losing half a stone within two weeks of giving up the dark stuff and remaining choc-free for 6 months. 

Anyway, I've started reading the book again and it has renewed my horror of the facts of addictive, health-ruining, mood-destroying chocolate. If anyone has my kind of addiction to it, I'd really recommend the book.   

Off for another mega-demanding training session with my personal tormentor (see picture). I always dread the session before I go come back smiling.

I’ve gone off my food!

A bizarre thing has happened. I seem to have lost my appetite.

I've barely eaten a thing over the last few days, possibly as penance for a chocolate-fest on Sunday while I watched four episodes of Nip/Tuck back-to-back – which was rather heavenly.   

Since that minor blip it’s been a case of strictly three meals a day. A friend suggested we go out for dinner tonight and couldn't believe it when I said: "I'm not really hungry at the moment – let's just stay in instead." There was a moment of stunned silence at the other end of the phone before she agreed. 

I’ve got another session with Dylan the personal trainer tomorrow which I’m actually looking forward to.

I'm staying at my sister's house at the moment while our new boiler is being fitted. She’s got a cross-trainer so I'm planning on pounding away on that for the next week in between sessions with Dylan. 

All in all, I'm feeling really good about reaching my target weight of 10 stone at the end of this month.

My target weight feels achievable

Amazing news – I've lost another 2lbs and am now down to 10st 4lbs.

I feel really trim and toned as well from three weeks of bloody hard working out. I'm also feeling more motivated. 

Yesterday, I actually turned down a Philly Bagel from my favourite bagel bar and watched Jonathan eat his while I munched on a large Greek salad instead. It was so gratifying afterwards when he told me he hadn't even enjoyed it that much. 

Knee-deep in builders and plumbers and sparks at the mo, and choosing the right radiators and light switches – as well as poring over solar panel options – has distracted me from the thought of food. 

More house stuff planned for the weekend, including a trip to Essex to check out some tiles. As long as I take my rice cakes with me, I won't be tempted to join Jonathan for anything too calorifically naughty on the road.

Roll on, next week’s weigh-in!

Walkies!

Casper the dog is definitely benefiting from my new exercise regime – he's never had so many walks.

I'm going twice a day at the moment, as instructed by Dylan the trainer, and it all feels very invigorating. 

Yesterday was an excellent food day, albeit because I was feeling rather woozy and didn’t feel like eating after my wisdom tooth extraction. 

I managed a piece of bread after watching the TV for a while and that was it for the whole day. 

Can't wait for this week’s weigh-in – I must have lost some more weight.

Making some progress

I've been really good over the last few days. I’ve eaten healthily with just a few blips, including making biscuits with my three-year-old niece at the weekend and a meal at an Indian restaurant on Saturday night. A girl's got to have a few treats. 

Apart from that, it's been salads, juices and grilled fish all the way!

The personal training feels like a fantastic investment and one I'm going to be reluctant to give up at the end of the month. I exerted myself so much at last Friday's session, my legs still felt wobbly on Monday!

I saw a friend for lunch on Tuesday and he made an indirect comment about how losing weight would suit my face and show off my cheekbones. That further fuelled my desire to reach my target weight. 

And finally Jonathan has realised that giving me chocolate is not a good idea. He says that until I reach the 10 stone mark, he's not giving me any of his Swiss stash, no matter how pitifully I beg. 

I'm having a wisdom tooth out later today and I've been told I can't eat for several hours afterwards. All in all, it appears that life is conspiring to assist me losing the final half stone.

Weight-loss success

The scales at Weight Watchers told me I'd lost another pound and a half yesterday so I'm feeling really pleased with myself. 

The salads, juices and working out must be having an effect. I'm aiming for two pounds a week now until I hit my target of 10st at the end of the month. 

I had a punishing workout with Dylan this morning and I felt like GI Jane - doing sit-ups on the side of a park bench! My arms are aching just typing this. I think I'll take  the afternoon off and go to the cinema to see Oceans Thirteen – although I must remember not to succumb to hot sugary popcorn.

I’ve got a busy weekend looking at home deco shows and considering bathroom designs, so hopefully I'll be too distracted to eat!

Diet deadline

As I had a delicious Indian takeaway a few nights ago, I decided to try a “juice only” day yesterday. 

Thinking of weigh-in day today, I existed yesterday on three glasses of home-made apple, carrot and pineapple juice and a bowl of my minestrone soup for dinner. As I had such a busy day yesterday, it was surprisingly easy and I felt full of zest. 

A while ago I won a competition for a made-to-measure Julien MacDonald dress. I thought he'd be taking the measurements but it turns out I have to submit them – so my sister came to my rescue yet again and took down all my vital statistics. I’m aiming to lose an inch from my waist, and hopefully, with all the core exercises Dylan's been giving me, it shouldn't be too difficult. Famous last words!

I'm going to give myself to the end of the month to up the ante and aim to lose the full stone for the summer.

It's the 7th today, so that leaves me with 21 days to lose 7lbs. Weigh-in tonight so it'll be salad for dinner beforehand.

Personal training extravagance

Whenever I used to see ladies with personal trainers while walking my dog, I’d think: “How decadent”. Yet there I was on Friday afternoon walking very fast with Dylan, my very own trainer!

It was my third session and part of my plan to invest in a month of twice-weekly sessions to help overcome my antipathy to exercising. I hated the first two sessions because I felt so flabby and unfit – especially next to my strapping youthful trainer – but something shifted on Friday and I actually enjoyed our session. 

I felt totally energised afterwards and can't wait for the next session tomorrow. Food-wise, I was quite good over the weekend, with only one blip on Saturday night when I tucked into a chocolate flan at dinner with friends. Apart from that, it was salads, fish and fruit. 

Yesterday, I made my healthy minestrone soup for the week so shall be limiting myself to a big bowl of that for lunch for the foreseeable future.

It's healthy snacks from now on!

I had to force myself to go to Weight Watchers for my weigh-in as I was feeling really lazy and relaxed at home. 

I decided to walk there instead of driving and the brisk uphill march re-energised me. I'd lost a pound and a half which I was really pleased about. I also stayed for the talk afterwards which I enjoyed - everyone is very supportive and encouraging.

I bought some of the WW snacks to eat while Jonathan tucks into his full-fat Swiss chocolate/trifle/sponge pudding and some zero cal sweeties for emergency sugar attacks. 

I'm reading up on Weight Watchers’ Core Plan which I've decided to switch to from the Points Plan. Basically, you can eat as much as you want from certain food groups - within reason - and then you get a weekly allowance for more fattening food.

The group has really helped my motivation and I walked past the chocolate fudge cake Jonathan bought yesterday at elevenses without a second thought.

Full of excuses

Weigh-in today so I'm on minimal rations. I've just had a big glass of freshly squeezed juice and a slice of Serrano ham imported by me from Spain in my suitcase. 

I saw my personal trainer yesterday and the new fitness regime can now start properly. I've booked him again for this Friday. – but the problem is, I hate it. The dreaded treadmill and cross trainer are so tedious and yesterday I stopped a minute earlier on the bicycle because I couldn't stand it a second longer. 

We did some ball work which is apparently excellent for my core muscles, long overdue some attention. Dylan, the trainer, keeps reminding me to suck in my tummy, especially when exercising, because this automatically makes me look slimmer (until I breathe out).

Tonight at Weight Watchers, I'm going to talk to the leader about changing my plan because counting points every time I eat has become a little too arduous. Jonathan says I'm like the kid who doesn't do their homework, coming up with every excuse in the book for why I can't shift the final 7lbs: "Someone bought some cake/I went out for dinner/I moved house." And he's right!  It doesn't help that he's wafer thin despite eating whatever he wants whenever he wants. I used to be like that and it's hard adapting to the new reality.

The Spanish diet

The week in Spain was fantastic - a real break from the stress of living in a building site. 

Weight Watchers has two plans you can follow and I’ve decided to use the Points Plan which gives you points for everything you eat. Instead of just snacking on any old thing during the day, you really have to think about what you put in your mouth. 

I made the most delicious salads every day, with loads of different ingredients from anchovies to green beans and the most succulent Spanish tomatoes. Salads are so much more rewarding in Spain where the raw ingredients are a hundred times fresher and tastier than anything you buy in England. 

I allowed myself ice-cream on two occasions but as they used up 8 of my daily 19 points, I didn't feel it was worth it.

While I was getting into the swing of things, I read a fantastic book about compulsive eating by William Leith called The Hungry Years - I can't recommend it enough. He lost loads of weight on the Atkins diet which he believes has been trashed by the mega-powerful carbohydrate industry.

So, as well as doing Weight Watchers, I'm also cutting down on my carbs. A bowl of muesli in the morning is pretty much my carb allowance for the day. Weigh-in at Weight Watchers is tomorrow and I'm feeling confident about the weight loss.

Rebel, rebel!

Posted by Caroline

I'm definitely going through a rebellious stage. It started on Sunday with cheesecake and banana cake and has carried on with a biscuit-fest ever since. 

Jonathan and I went shopping and bought six packets of biscuits as part of a 2-for-1 offer, having finished off all the remaining biscuits in the house the night before.

I’m really noticing the affect of all the sugar I’ve eaten recently. I feel so lethargic and I am dreading my personal trainer session – but hopefully it will give me the motivation to end this sugar marathon because it’s not helping me lose weight.

Sugar-overload!

Posted by Caroline

I've been really, really, really naughty. Terrible in fact! The weekend started really well with yummy salad for lunch and dinner on Saturday. I was out and about for most of the day and hardly thought about food at all. 

Sunday was a completely different story, although it began well. I made a delicious lunch of Welsh roast lamb and vegetables and only had one tiny new potato.

As it was raining, I decided to spend the afternoon in front of the telly. Big mistake. I ended up eating banana cake (three slices), lemon cheesecake (one) and some chocolate (at least two rows). I felt sick with sugar overload so decided to skip dinner. 

However, Jonathan went and bought a Thai takeaway and the smell of the crispy pork rolls and Chicken satay overcame me and I indulged.

Yesterday was a bit better – but not much. I ate biscuits and chocolate and half of Jonathan's lemon cheesecake. 

I can't face the scales today. 

Zero weight-loss!

Posted by Caroline

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to Weight Watchers last week. I was struck down with a migraine at lunchtime and spent the rest of the day lying in bed feeling very sorry for myself. 

I didn’t really feel like eating and only managed half a bowl of cereal and one mouthful of chicken soup all day. From a weight-loss point of view, this was good news – or at least so I thought. 

I weighed myself the next morning to see if it had made any difference, only to discover I hadn’t even lost an ounce. I was still at my post-Champneys weight of 10 stone 4 lbs. It's not fair. 

It also means I need to wait another week before starting the WW programme unless I find another group – but that’s no excuse to stop watching my weight until then!

Alternative measures

Posted by Caroline

Both my sisters have lost lots of weight with Weight Watchers, so I've decided to go along to a local group this evening – what have I got to lose?

I've never been to a slimming group before and never thought I would, but everyone I know who's lost significant amounts of weight has sworn by the public weigh-in method and the support of other members. 

I've lost half a stone with Tesco Diets but feel I need an extra push to help me achieve the one stone weight loss I set myself. 

I've also finally bitten the bullet, called a personal trainer and booked my first session for next Wednesday. I've budgeted for two sessions a month to kick-start my exercise regime. I'm terrified actually, especially if he tries to get me to start running. I'm a bit of wimp when it comes to physical exertion – to put it mildly. 

Anyway, two key steps have been taken and I'm optimistic (if a little scared) about both.

Just say no!

Posted by Caroline

I’m back in the land of the living after zoning out at Champneys last week and I’m feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

I’m back in the land of the living after zoning out at Champneys last week and I’m feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. 

After a week of healthy eating, I was determined to keep going this weekend and filled up on delicious salads. The first was an organic rainforest salad from Spitalfields market and the second was a mega halloumi cheese salad made with my friend for a DVD day at her place instead of the usual biscuits and popcorn.

I made a strawberry and cream cake with my niece on Saturday, but gave it to her to take home to her mum. Since my sister’s on a diet too, the cake was then transferred to my parents! I’m going online now to sort out my Tesco Diets meal plan for the week and want to find some new recipes to satisfy Jonathan too.

I’m feeling so focused that I have just given him back the big slab of Swiss brownie chocolate he left on my desk as a token of his love. He’s not really getting this diet thing at all…

Have I finally cracked it?

Posted by Caroline

Well, I’ve lost a pound and a half in three days and I feel lighter in every way – physically and emotionally. 

Well, I’ve lost a pound and a half in three days and I feel lighter in every way – physically and emotionally. 

I had a two hour massage yesterday with hot poultices and warm oil and I felt like a strange mixture of queen and baby – no, I’m not sure about it either! 

After a long deep snooze, I felt completely energised and rejuvenated and went for another hour-long pre-dinner walk. My sister says it’s good to exercise before meals as you burn more calories that way. Unfortunately, it also made me ravenous and I tucked into three courses with gusto. It’s all healthy stuff though – and I’ve managed three days without chocolate.

I’ve been reading a self-help book and the author recommends seeing an unhealthy food you’re addicted to all mixed up with rotting dead fish. I’ve been doing this exercise with chocolate and have so far not missed it one iota, so I’m hoping I’ve cured myself for good. 

I feel like a new woman

Posted by Caroline

I haven't yet located the scales at Champneys so no weigh-in today.

Meanwhile, I'm sure I must have lost weight. We only have three meals a day and there are no chocolate facilities anywhere. I'm used to grazing throughout the day and I now realise how much I eat between meals. I find the gap between lunch and dinner the hardest so I squirreled away an apple and yoghurt from breakfast for emergency snacks. 

I've surprised myself at my commitment to exercise, especially when most of the other guests are lounging around in their robes. Yesterday, I did an aqua fit class, half an hour in the gym and had an hour-long walk before dinner. It was supposed to be a half-hour walk but I got lost in the undergrowth and as I retraced my steps, I thought of all the extra calories I must be burning off in the process to keep my morale going. 

Last day tomorrow so, if I find the scales, I'll weigh myself before leaving to see if the regime has paid off. I certainly feel like a new woman – let's hope the scales feel the same.

I'm in heaven

Posted by Caroline

I arrived at Champneys in Forest Mere three hours ago and I love it. 

I booked a personal trainer session in advance to remind me why I was coming here, so instead of relaxing on a recliner in the sunshine I was almost immediately on the cross-trainer. After 42 seconds, I told Alan I'd had enough but he encouraged/distracted me sufficiently and I managed the whole 10 minutes. 

Then we did lots of fun things with one of those big exercise balls and by the end of the session I felt thoroughly motivated to work out. I'm going to book a personal trainer as soon as I return to civilian life in London. 

Lunch was a variety of gorgeous salads and I've just taken possession of the famous white robe. Massage at 4pm (sorry for showing off) and I'll take a power walk round the lake before dinner. 

I've decided on half an hour in the gym, half an hour aqua-fit and half an hour power walk a day during my stay. My personal trainer thought it a little ambitious but I'm feeling very focused. The only thing is, I miss Jonathan.

Oops I did it again!

Posted by Caroline

On Saturday I was almost good as gold. I went to my aunt’s house for tea and she offered me a piece of cake and a biscuit with my cup of tea and, as the saying goes, “it would have been rude not to”. 

To repent, I had a home-made papaya, pineapple, carrot and apple juice in the evening instead of dinner. My repenting stopped abruptly on Sunday and I'm going to blame bad organisation (mine of course). 

I had a friend to lunch and we had roast chicken and loads of lovely vegetables. I gave her the leftovers to take home and she asked me what I was going to have for dinner. I hadn't thought that far ahead, and sure enough by 7pm when I looked in the fridge, it was almost empty, save for a big hulk of cheese. There was nothing for it except cheese on toast – which you’ll not be surprised to know appears nowhere on my Tesco Diets meal plan - oops. 

I’m off to Champneys health spa tomorrow and I can’t wait - someone else to do the cooking and meal preparation for a change. Nothing but healthy food and pampering!

No carbs rule!

Posted by Caroline

Back in the land of the living after my duvet day yesterday and feeling a bit more energetic.

Casper the dog is looking at me in a guilt-inspiring way, as if to say "you owe me two walks today 'cause I got zilch yesterday". 

It's hard to relax at home when you've got four builders traipsing around the place with wheelbarrows – I just can't wait to get away for a few days next week.

Food-wise, I've stuck to my Tesco Diets programme more or less. I had a papaya for lunch instead of the lemon and feta pasta salad on my meal plan but managed to muster the energy to make the chicken and vegetable dish in the evening. I’ll be having leftovers for lunch today.

According to the diet plan I was supposed to have the chicken and vegetables with rice but I'm sticking to a “no carbs after 5pm” rule at the moment. It doesn't feel like a great sacrifice and should hopefully aid a more speedy weight loss.

It's summer clothes time and I want to be svelte rather than lumpy!

Taking a break

Posted by Caroline

I'm having what is commonly known as a Duvet Day today.

I've been feeling tired and groggy for a while and have finally succumbed to sloth. I have little appetite, which is good – but no energy for cooking my Tesco Diets meals, which is bad. 

There are two papayas downstairs, which I love, but no-one to peel and chop them up for me. Where's room service when you need it?

There's no way I'm up to the rigours of a personal trainer until I re-group. I'm hoping that will happen at Champneys and I’ll return reinvigorated and three pounds lighter. Can't wait!

I've lost five pounds!

Posted by Caroline

Another week, another weigh-in and I'm just under 10 stone 7lbs, so let's call it 10 stone 6!

I started Tesco Diets weighing 10 stone 11lbs, so I've lost 5lbs in total - which may not sound a lot, but does mean that I'm back in jeans after months of giving myself indigestion whenever I tried to wear them.

I've been pretty good recently so I am surprised and disappointed I haven't lost more weight this week. The Super Skinny Me documentary gave me an idea though, which is to remove myself from temptation and go to a health farm. So next week I’m off to Champneys for three days of exercise, salads – and maybe even a colonic irrigation!

I've booked myself in with the personal trainer and nutritionist so that I get the most out of my stay, and hopefully leave weighing a good few pounds less. I also need a break after the stress of moving, plus a few days away from Willy Wonka (aka Jonathan) and his amazing collection of chocolate will be good for my waistline.

No watercress soup for me!

Posted by Caroline

Did you see that Super Skinny Me documentary the other night, in which two UK size 10-12 women slimmed down to a US size zero (UK size 4) in two months?

Well, you'll be pleased to hear that I've not yet sunk to limiting myself to three protein shakes a day, nor am I existing on three portions of watercress soup a day a la Liz Hurley. 

Willy Wonka (that’s Jonathan to the uninitiated) came back from Switzerland laden with chocolate. We've agreed I'm only allowed some if I beg and plead convincingly. Will I be able to resist?

Just going through my GI Diet Plan for the week to see what meals I fancy and luckily, watercress soup doesn't feature at all. Weigh in tomorrow so I'm being extra careful today.

I need to exercise more

Posted by Caroline

I’m sure if I lived alone I’d be stick-thin. Jonathan’s been away on business for two days and I’ve stuck to my diet to the letter. 

He’s a great mid-morning and mid-afternoon biscuit eater and as we both work from home, it’s hard to escape the temptation to join him. But while he’s got a washboard stomach, mine’s still a bit Buddha-like. 

What with all the unpacking and living in a building site, I really haven’t bothered to exercise apart from walking the dog to the café in the woods behind the house where I sit and drink tea while Casper chats up other dogs. I still haven’t called the personal trainer. 

Someone asked me today whether I wanted to join a community fun run and I considered it for about two minutes before deciding I’m not up to the challenge.

A friend told me I need to put in the hours at the gym if I’m serious about staying slim in the future, and that walking the dog just wasn’t going to cut it. My heart sank.

I’ve got to psyche myself up to book the trainer – I’m just not going to reach my goal on my own.

Life’s returning to normal

I’ve just gone back onto my Tesco Diets page and I’d forgotten how easy it was to plan your food and meals for the week.

I’ve decided to use the GI diet again because I liked the meals on it and as my weakness is sugar, I’m better off with a diet that addresses that blip in my system. 

So I clicked on the GI meal plan and selected some yummy meals, including a very easy sweet and sour chicken curry dish which I’m going to make tonight. The system then presented me with a shopping list of all the week’s ingredients, which took about three minutes to go through and amend as I have lots of the food already. 

Now all I need to do is shop online and hey presto, the food arrives tomorrow. Life is slowly returning to normality and I can’t wait to address my weight once more. I really want to be slim this summer! Now, where’s that personal trainer’s number?

Time to re-focus

I’m back in civilisation! After a week of no internet, phone or TV, I’ve now been re-connected to the outside world. 

I’ve spent the last week unpacking box after box after box and running up and down the four flights of stairs in the new house. Tesco Diets went out the window and there was one particular day when I think I lived on biscuits! 

Cooking has been out of the question – it took two days for the kitchen to be industrially cleaned and I’ve been living on sushi and shish kebabs and little else. The funny thing is that I’ve actually lost weight.

I just weighed myself and at a pound lighter than the last weigh in, I’m back to 10st 7lb. I am also back in jeans, although they are Jonathan’s man jeans rather than my size 12 Gap jeans! 

The kitchen is now ready to use and sparkling clean and now that I’m back online, I’m going to visit Tesco Diets again and regain my focus.

That bloated feeling

Poste by Caroline

It's that time of the month today so I'm feeling really lethargic and a bit blobby.

I always used to use my period as an excuse to eat some chocolate – but not anymore! The friends we met in Cheltenham last week sent me a post-lunch photo and I'm looking a lot slimmer than I feel right now.

Aside from how I feel, I've been too busy to eat much. After my disappointing weigh-in yesterday, I had a simple salad for dinner and watched my dinner guests tuck into chicken and roast potatoes.

I've still not moved in to the new house – I can't wait to get my juicer and all my kitchen equipment back, so that I feel I have more control over sticking to my Mediterranean Plan.

I've got a quiet weekend planned to recover from the week's decorating activities and I intend to go for some long walks.

The proof is in the weigh-in

I barely have any time to eat at the moment, which is good – I think.

When I do have time, I'm generally too tired to do much by way of preparation. Last night I succumbed to a ready-meal of chicken and vegetables, which was delicious and felt healthy too - but not very Tesco Diets!

Unfortunately, the scales have yet to reflect the new healthy, energetic, slim-line me. I've just weighed myself: 10st 8lbs. It’s less than when I started but not much! Am I the slowest dieter in the history of dieting?

Off to apply the fourth coat of paint to the house now - I intend to work it with that roller…

Size 14 was too big!

I forget to tell you. Something radical happened when I went shopping last week. I bought my first size 12 dress in absolutely ages. I couldn’t believe it when I tried on the 14 and it was too big. 

My friend’s party was excellent. There was a Casino Royale theme and I was so busy playing Roulette that I passed up on the chocolate birthday cake. 

I’m going to start following the Tesco Diets programme properly again from today - I was making it up as I went along while I was staying in the Cotswolds. Now that I’m back in London, it should be easier, even though I’m still technically homeless.

The new house is uninhabitable at present and I’m off there today to do some painting. After a day of manual labour, I think I shall take the plunge and weigh myself. Results tomorrow!

I’ve found my diet willpower

Posted by Caroline

Yesterday I went on a tour of some of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds and walked around a stunning garden at a place called Hidecote Manor.  

I woke up today ready for another long walk to the next village across field and vale and found, once I’d got dressed, that I simply didn’t have the energy for another walk.
 
Instead I drove into Burford and sat in one of their gorgeous cafes - opposite all the cakes - but managed to stick to just a cup of tea. This afternoon, I’m going shopping in Cheltenham, but I’ve heard shopping doesn’t count as exercise. Who says? I’m always knackered after a big shop! 

Food-wise, I’ve been a good girl, even though I ate out most of yesterday. I stuck to fish and vegetables for lunch and a lamb stew for dinner, of which I left at least half. Jonathan gave me one cube of chocolate in the evening and somehow I managed not to annoy him into giving me more. 

I’m hoping I’ve lost the weight I gained the week after the move - and as soon as I find some scales, I shall hop on and find out.

A healthy appetite

Posted by Caroline

The walks here are so gorgeous. It really doesn't feel like exercise at all. 

Yesterday I walked for two hours across beautiful fields with rivers running alongside while swans elegantly glided by. Whenever I thought of turning back to walk home, I'd remember my tummy and how much I want to look slim and lovely at my friend's party on Saturday night. 

It's not easy cooking in someone else's kitchen and I wish I'd brought my juicer for liquid lunches. I'm more or less sticking to my Tesco Diet plan programme though – with small amendments. 

Yesterday, I had a small bowl of pasta for lunch with a homemade tomato and mushroom sauce and for dinner, Jonathan brought me back a lamb shish with salad. I threw the bread away so it was really just meat and salad, which is very GI. 

More walks are planned for today. I'm thinking about making one of my vegetable minestrone soups before I go, so that when I return ravenous, I've got something slimming to eat immediately -  cutting down the chances of being tempted to snack.

Back on track – I hope!

Posted by Caroline

I’ve finally made it on the bicycle and it’s not quite as easy as I thought it would be. Firstly, I seem to have the wrong-shaped bottom which means the saddle hurts. Secondly, it’s bloody hard work cycling up hills, although absolutely glorious when you’re bombing back down the hill on the way back!

Food-wise, I’ve been eating very healthily - partly out of disgust with myself for putting so much weight back on. 

Why doesn’t the saying “a minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips” (I think that’s right) sink into my head? Why don’t I think: “What would I prefer – to feel slim and glamorous and gorgeous and fit into all my clothes, or have a moment of pleasure while I eat this chocolate biscuit?”. 

So far today, I’ve had my high-fibre cereal, and it’s a Tesco Diet classic for lunch – rice with chicken and vegetables. I’m planning another long walk this afternoon and I’ll be completely fed up if I haven’t lost all the weight I’ve gained by the next weigh-in.

Weigh-in worries confirmed!

Posted by Caroline

I’m back in London for a few meetings and I had lunch with my sister, who happens to have some scales at her house.

Realising I could not put off the evil hour any longer, I stepped onto the scales and to my horror, discovered that I’ve put on 3.75lbs, which means my weight has - in one week - gone up to nearly 10st 9lbs.

I'm really, really upset. I've got a 40th birthday party next weekend and was planning on wearing my lovely lilac silk dress which clings to everything.  Too bad my emergency girdle has gone into storage! 

I've got one week to go for it and get back to where I was before the biscuits and bagels. Let’s hope Tesco Diets has an emergency plan for me to follow.

New home, new start?

Posted by Caroline

It’s gorgeous at the cottage. In a desperate attempt to help lose some of the weight gained during my recent eating binge I’ve already been on two brisk walks in the surrounding countryside today. 

Jonathan did the shopping while I caught up on some much-needed rest and returned home with lots of food, including Ryvita and rice cakes (good diet food), and biscuits and Brie (bad diet food). 

Moving house has been my excuse for forgetting about the diet and eating whatever came my way. However, now I’m settling in to country life, I intend to get back on track and concentrate on the Ryvita rather than a farmhouse bread sandwich with Brie and bresaola, like the one I tucked into yesterday. 

I daren’t weigh myself until I’ve walked another 10 miles. It’s been far too cold to cycle, especially as my hat, scarf and gloves have gone into storage, but the weather looks set to get warmer and I intend to cycle away at least a pound or two tomorrow.

I've blown it!

Posted by Caroline

As you may have noticed, I've been missing in action for the last few days. There were all sorts of annoying complications on the day of the move including dopey removal men and inexplicable water stoppages.

Basically, since I last posted, the diet has gone out of the window entirely. And you know how it is - when you blow one thing, part of you thinks "I might as well blow it all." And that's exactly what’s happened to me: burger and chips (although I did leave half of the latter), biscuits, smoked salmon bagels and cheese.

Unintentionally (honest!) the scales were packed and placed into storage, so weigh-in will have to wait until I go shopping in Cheltenham tomorrow – and then we’ll see what damage I’ve done. I was hoping to have reached my target weight by the end of the month so I'm going to need some sort of miracle to get me back on track.

My salvation - I hope - lies in the bicycle propped outside the back door, which I now intend to get on and ride to my heart’s (and my thighs’) content.

The secret to staying slim?

Posted by Caroline

I shouldn’t be smiling. I ate a pizza last night. It’s the first one in months and months and months though. 

I opened the freezer to start emptying the contents and the pizza stared back at me saying: “I’m really easy to cook, just pop me in the oven for 12 minutes and I’ll taste really delicious.”  So I did.

Today I’m back on track: I stuck to my usual Tesco Diets meals of muesli for breakfast and a turkey breast salad for lunch. And I must have burnt plenty of calories off by running up and down the stairs with bags of stuff for the charity shop and the rubbish bin. 

I’m giving a talk tonight to a singles group organised by my friend’s mother. I think my pre-talk nerves aren’t going to be conducive to a hearty dinner, so I reckon I’m safe from pizza and other such temptations. I’ll probably just about manage a bowl of soup.

I’m beginning to believe the secret to staying slim is a full life and mine is pretty much bursting at the moment.

Have I lost any weight?

Posted by Caroline

Weigh-in today and I’ve lost yet another pound, taking me down to 10st 4lbs. I barely ate a thing over the weekend as I was so busy packing and planning and generally getting into a complete tizz.

I’ve not stuck to the Tesco Diets programme for the last three days as I just haven’t had the head space to plan meals, and be organised enough to make sure I have the right ingredients in the fridge.

I’m also wondering how easy it will be to make sure I have everything I need in the Cotswolds for the weekly meal plan, but I’m probably being an ignorant Londoner – they do have shops in Gloucestershire, don’t they? 

Meanwhile, I’m feeling exceedingly pleased with myself for steadily losing the weight I want to, and if all goes according to plan (famous last words) I should be fairly near my target weight of 9st 10lbs by the end of the month.

An early start

Posted by Caroline

I was up at the crack of dawn this morning to meet my sister for a bracing walk on Hampstead Heath.

I returned home fully energised and wondering why I don’t take an early morning constitutional every day. As she’s lost 26lbs in two months, perhaps I ought to be taking more advice from big sis.

I couldn’t be bothered to cook last night and when Jonathan suggested a Turkish meze I immediately thought of my favourite dessert, baklava. I decided we should go Japanese instead. It’s so easy to eat a Japanese meal and stay on track. Raw fish and a seaweed salad can’t be fattening – surely?

Tonight it’s a KISS meal (keep it simple sweetheart) of steak and steamed veg. I think the nervous panic of my life during the move ought to be burning up a few calories too.  Does a rapidly beating heart mean faster metabolism, I wonder?

The stressful way to lose weight!

Posted by Caroline

I think stress must agree with me: I’m not obsessing about food at all. Moving house is good for dieters, but not recommended for peace of mind.

There are so many other things to think about that I’m no longer pondering prising the floorboard up to retrieve the secret stash of chocolate hidden by Jonathan. I’m sticking to my three Mediterranean meals a day and limiting snacks to a rice cake with a spoonful of peanut butter which seems to be enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Being busy helps too. An evening spent sorting through the linen cupboard means an evening away from the television with a biscuit in one hand (and another biscuit in the other!). 

Meanwhile, my younger sister has found a neuro-linguistic programming practitioner who is going to put her in a trance in order to help her give up sugar - so I shall be interested to see how that works.

With the sun shining outside, I can’t wait to hit the bike and discover the Cotswolds. 

The dreaded weigh-in

Posted by Caroline

Well, I’ve been on this diet for seven weeks now so was keen to see if, after today’s weigh-in, I’m still going in the right direction.

I am. I’ve lost another pound, which means I’ve lost 6lb in all. I’m hardly going to break any world records for dieting at this stage, but at least the weight loss has been steady.   

Being an impatient person, losing a pound a week isn’t really quick enough for me, especially as I’m still on the cusp of a size 12/14 rather than a svelte 10/12. My clothes are definitively looser, which feels satisfying. I bought these trousers at my lumpiest and they dug in at the waist a bit, especially after dinner. They now feel loose and much more comfortable. 

The weather today feels right for the Mediterranean diet option and I’m looking forward to tonight’s dinner of spinach and three-cheese lasagne, which Tesco Diets promises is only 420 calories.

I think the problem is that I enjoy my food too much.

It’s been a good diet weekend

Posted by Caroline

I’m going to delay weigh-in for a day this week as my cameraman/boyfriend is away until tomorrow and he's the weigh-in official!

I was good all weekend – no chocolate or sugar at all. I think the message has finally got through to Jonathan and despite a test plea on Friday night he stayed strong and refused to lift the floorboard to retrieve the Swiss truffle chocolate.

Admittedly, I was unable to resist a roast potato at Sunday lunch yesterday, but passed on the other equally delicious-looking potatoes on offer as well as the crispy skin. 

I veered from a Tesco Diet lunch today with a small-portion of wheat-free spaghetti and tomato sauce, and tonight will be left-over chicken salad.

I’ll start the Tesco Diet programme again tomorrow once I’ve had a chance to order my shopping online. I feel like a change so I’m considering the Mediterranean diet for the next two weeks instead of GI plan. 

Exercise-wise, I’m reluctantly putting the personal trainer on hold until I move house. From March 16, I shall be living in a cottage in the Cotswolds for two weeks until I move into the new place. There are two bicycles at the cottage and I’ve got my eye on one of them.

Desperate measures required

Posted by Caroline

I’m following the advice of Jonathan’s mother and booking myself a personal trainer.

I really want to reach my target by the end of the month so I’m prepared to pull out all the stops to make it happen. It’s going be expensive as I intend to book two sessions a week for the next month, but I feel I need that extra push to get me to where I want to be. 

I just saw a video clip of myself on a day out at the beginning of January and I felt awful about how I looked. I had a jowly double chin and I don’t want to look like that anymore. I’m prepared to give up haircuts and clothes and all other treats to invest in feeling healthy and looking how I want to during the prime years of my life. 

Off for a walk now.  Who knows, it could be a run next week.

Lose a pound, gain a pound!

Posted by Caroline

I had one of those rare days yesterday when I didn’t feel particularly hungry all day.

Not sure what that’s about but I wonder if it’s linked to seeing from the scales that the (delicious) curry added back the pound I’d lost. I had a small bowl of muesli for breakfast and skipped the mid-morning snack, when I’m normally ravenous.  Was mega-healthy for lunch and had a carrot, apple and pineapple juice. 

Jonathan’s slender and elegant mother came for dinner so I made a low-fat but filling fish pie. Now that I’ve finished my tapestry, I’ve decided to try knitting. In my case, idle hands reach for the biscuit tin or I end up begging Jonathan to retrieve the chocolate stash from under the floorboard (I’m not joking – although he's determined to help me and has put the chocolate safely beyond my reach). 

Another few days like this and I reckon I’ll have shifted a few more pounds by the next weigh-in.

'I feel like I’ve put on half a stone'

Posted by Caroline

I went out for an Indian meal last night and arrived home feeling absolutely stuffed - despite having left over half my meal.

I only ordered one meat dish and I shared the rice and aubergine thing with Clare but I still felt incredibly round of stomach. 

It was my first meal out for over a week of healthy, home-made, low-fat, GI cooking so I thought I could get away with a curry, but at this very moment I feel like I’ve put on half a stone.

My weekly shopping arrives today and with no other eating out plans for the foreseeable future I’m hoping to assuage my guilt with the authorised GI meal plan courtesy of Tesco Diets. 

It was only five years ago that I seemed to be able to eat whatever I wanted and not put on weight.  With what I’ve gained in wisdom as I’ve aged, I’ve lost in freedom to dine out without consequences. Weight or wisdom – why does it have to be a choice?

'Post-weekend weigh-in'

Posted by Caroline

It's the dreaded weigh-in. After a good week of dieting have I managed to lose more weight? Fingers crossed......

'Can I resist the roast potatoes?'

Posted by Caroline

Is part of the secret to losing weight keeping busy? I rushed from appointment to arrangement yesterday and barely had time to eat, let alone think about eating.

My sugar-free sister made me a mega-healthy lunch of mackerel and brown rice and I didn’t eat anything again until dinner when I ate yesterday’s leftovers.

I’m having my nieces for dinner tonight and I asked them what dessert they wanted. “Banoffee Pie,” said the 12 year old on behalf of them both. Luckily, I don’t like bananas and I’m hoping this will help me stay strong so that I can remain sugar free for the full seven days.

I’m also hoping I’ll hold back on the roast potatoes that I’ll be serving with the roast chicken, though I have a feeling there’s only so much self-sacrifice a girl can make.

'I'm feeling virtuous'

Posted by Caroline

I’m back on track. I didn’t put a foot wrong yesterday and my stomach is already feeling flatter.

Don’t think I gave up on snacks though. I just had an ‘authorised’ Gi snack from meal plan – an oat cake with a teaspoon of peanut butter. 

I am also feeling virtuous with all the home-made cooking I’m doing, although I do wonder how women with 9-5 jobs or with children manage. Actually, there was a ‘convenience’ option on Tesco Diets; I just chose the kitchen slave plan. 

It’s time for my mid-morning snack and seeing as I’m in the middle of a mega-healthy, weight-loss focussed week I’ll be making a fresh juice with carrots, apple, pineapple and ginger. 

I’d like to have a piece of toast instead, but I’d prefer to (comfortably) wear jeans again, so I’ll stick to the juice.

Success at last!

Posted by Caroline

The weekly weigh-in reminder popped into my inbox this morning prompting to approach the scales. I was delighted to see that I’ve lost another pound and am now 10 and a half stone. 

Admittedly, things are moving slower than I’d like and of course, if I’d stuck faithfully to the programme, I’m sure I’d have lost a stone by now.

I’ve instructed Jonathan, aka The Feeder, to assist by not offering me chocolate after dinner and last night, I took myself off for an evening walk around the block with the mutt. 

I see from my Meal Plan that I have Roast Vegetable Rice Salad for lunch and Cod Portugaise for dinner tonight so I suppose life’s not too bad.

I'm having a week long sugar ban!

The party was thoroughly enjoyable and as usual, you forget how you look within minutes of the first cocktail.

The rest of the weekend went according to plan and I had another cooking day yesterday, which also happens to be perfect hangover activity. Not too demanding brain-wise, but vaguely therapeutic and comforting. I spent this morning poring over the new GI weekly eating plan designed for me by Tesco Diets and have ordered the ingredients online. I prefer to take my exercise by walking round the woods rather than the supermarket aisles.

I seem to be stuck at the 10stone 8lb mark and if I’m perfectly, utterly truthful with you, I know the reason. I’m back on the white stuff. Jonathan’s business trip was to the home of fine chocolate – Switzerland – and the feeder brought back chocolate brownie chocolate. How mean is that! And me being me, I ate quite a lot of it. 

My sister and I have made a pact to each other – for seven whole days we are having a complete sugar ban. 

At least the brownie chocolate has all gone (even if it was me who ate it!)

'I haven't lost any weight - again!'

I had a migraine yesterday which meant two things. Firstly, I couldn’t do anything and secondly, I couldn’t eat anything. Am I sad for at least being relieved about the latter at least?

About halfway through the day, when I realised all I’d had was a few mouthfuls of muesli, I started to see the upside of being confined to my bed with a blinding headache. I recovered around 4pm, ate a small bowl of soup for dinner and had an early night. 

Just weighed myself hopefully, but haven’t lost anything. How does that work?

Anyway, off to walk Casper now for some much needed fresh air and exercise. Still aiming to look my very best on Saturday night at the party!

I'm on a mission before the weekend

Had a good food day yesterday. A bowl of ‘Healthy Living’ muesli for breakfast, amazing home-made minestrone soup with brown rice for lunch and a romantic (and carb-free) dinner of ratatouille and filet steak which was so delicious it needed absolutely nothing added. I then left the room while Jonathan ate the cream pastry I bought him as a little Valentine treat.

I’m upping the ante for the weekend as I’m going to a party on Saturday night where I’ll see people who last saw me when I was as a size 10. I’m aiming to turn up either as a svelte size 14 or a curvaceous size 12. I want a flat stomach and cheekbones. 

The next few days should be easier – Jonathan’s away on business and I’m staying in both nights. A while ago, I took up tapestry so I shall be finishing off one of my cushions so that my fingers will be busy with that, rather than putting biscuits in my mouth. Off to the shops now to buy today’s Quick Loss ingredients.

I'm stuck in a diet rut

Help! I’m stuck on 10 stone 8lbs and I can’t seem to budge from it.

I’m (more or less) sticking to the programme, but realise the big problem is eating out. As long as I’m at home, I eat what I’m supposed to AND I enjoy it. When, I’m out meeting friends, however, I find it hard to stick to salads when – as happened last night – a girls’ night out ended up in one of those gourmet burger bars.

Eating out is my weakness. I simply feel too martyr-ish to stick to deny myself. So, a radical decision was made this morning -  my Valentine lunch-time assignation at a nice restaurant has been cancelled. It’s healthy, home-made Quick Loss diet food all the way for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, I’ve suggested to my boyfriend that he might like to take me shopping instead. Pacing around Brent Cross Shopping Centre should burn up a few calories..

I'm determined to get back on track!

Posted by Caroline

I challenge anyone to have tea at the Savoy and not break their diet.

Perhaps I went a little over the top, but that chocolate choux bun was begging to be eaten. As a result, my weight must have crawled up a pound or two, not that I have dared approach the scales since.

My sister's lost 16lbs since January last year by being completely and utterly focussed on what she eats, and if I’m really honest with myself, I had no business eating tea at the Savoy when I’m in the middle of a concentrated attempt to lose a stone. 

From speaking to her, as well as examining past successful weeks, I realise organisation is key to sticking to the programme, so yesterday, I spent a Domestic Goddess day in the kitchen preparing and freezing as many of the meals on the Quick Loss Programme that I could. My sister also recommends doing some exercise half an hour before you eat in order to speed up your metabolism - so I shall have a bounce on the trampoline three times a day as well.  I am determined to be slim once more.

I've put on weight - not lost it!

Posted by Caroline

I thought I might be able to get away with the last weekend of excess but my weekly weigh-in reminder from Tesco Diets prompted a visit to the bathroom scales.

I was horrified to see that I’ve put on some of the weight I’d lost and I’m back to 10 stone 9lbs. Friends are still telling me I look slimmer but it’s not happening quickly enough for me. I’m back in the jeans but the top bottom is surreptitiously undone within half an hour.

I turned to the Tesco Diets site for inspiration and a Quick Loss Plan on the site caught my eye. This offers a programme which is up to 500 calories less than my current Gi diet so I’m going for it. I’ve printed out the diet plan and as usual, the meals look really appetising. It’s Chicken Fajita tonight and a tuna sweetcorn sandwich for lunch. I can handle that.

The only blip on the horizon is a long-planned treat with a favourite friend for afternoon tea at the Savoy on Friday. Cream cakes and me have had a long love affair so I’m going to be extra super good until then. Off for a bounce on the trampoline.

I've had a major diet disaster

Posted by Caroline

I could lie, but I won’t. I’ve fallen off the wagon. List of forbidden fruit consumed includes chocolate ice-cream, half a packet of chocolate biscuits and a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel. At least it was wholemeal bread, I suppose, but I’m feeling really annoyed with myself for not sticking to the programme.

My only excuse (and it is an excuse) is that my boyfriend and I have just agreed to sell our house and the stress of waiting to find out whether the offer on the new property was accepted led me to the dreaded sugar. I daren’t get on the scales until I’ve done at least fifteen minutes on the trampoline.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that guilt is now propelling me to return to the diet fold and re-commit to the Tesco Diets Gi eating plan for the next seven days. My boyfriend has gone away on business for a few days which should make life easier. He’s the one who bought the ice-cream, biscuits and bagels! 

I’m now wondering whether I should chuck the rest of the ice-cream in the bin while he’s away. Am I the only one around here with no discipline?

People are starting to comment on my weight loss

Posted by Caroline

The comments are starting to trickle through. “Have you lost weight?” a friend asked me last night. “Funny you should ask! I’m doing the Tesco Diets Gi plan online,” I replied.

Then I saw another friend today who I’d last caught up with just after Christmas when I was at my podgiest. “Your face looks a lot slimmer,” she commented, pointing to my re-emerging cheekbones. 

Well, I’ve lost another 1lb since Monday and that includes a Chinese banquet last night in celebration of my sister’s birthday. You can eat slimming foods when dining Japanese, you can even manage it when you go Italian (if you don’t mind pizza envy while you’re chomping on a salad), but it’s impossible to go for any diet option at a Chinese restaurant. On the plus side, I passed on the sticky toffee apple thing at the end.

I’m feeling very motivated at the moment although I dare not attempt the jeans test quite yet. I could probably get into them, I just want to be able to breathe as well as sit in them too. I’m out for dinner almost every night this week so am eating a very light lunch, skipping the snacks and walking everywhere. I’m determined!

There's nothing like a row to shift the pounds!

Posted by  Caroline

I’ve discovered a very effective way of losing weight – arguing with your boyfriend.  I’ve lost nearly three pounds since last week. Some people comfort-eat when they’re upset, but I’m not one of them.

My boyfriend and I had a silly row on Saturday (what is it about romantic weekends away?) that seemed terribly important at the time. Due to high levels of agitation, I completely went off my food. Although we’d made up by the time we had the gourmet meal in the evening, I wasn’t nearly as greedy as I thought I was going to be having salivated over the menu online. 

But I can’t give the row all the credit. I stayed on track all last week and kept to my no sugar experiment and it worked.  I’m now going to see if I can manage another seven days. I’m just about to go online and choose my meals for the week. Luckily, you can add all the meals you like to your list of favourites so it should be quicker this week as I know what meals work for me. The weight loss this week has spurred me on to lose more – I just hope another argument isn’t the cause!

A disappointing week

Posted by Caroline

Can’t believe how good I’ve been this week. I also can’t believe I haven’t lost any more weight.

After the sticky toffee pudding fiasco last weekend , I decided to commit myself to an entire week without sugar. It was surprisingly easy. Perhaps it was due to me sticking to the GI plan which is supposed to control sugar cravings. I'm loving the recipes and look forward to each meal. I had the Warm Chicken Sesame Salad for dinner yesterday which was delicious. The recipes use plenty of fresh ginger and garlic so I also feel like I’m boosting my immune system.

The trampoline hasn’t been as well used as it might have done. I think I need to invest in a sports bra before I do any more bouncing! I don’t feel too discouraged about not losing any more weight as I know it will follow if I stick to the plan. This might be difficult at the weekend – I’m going away for a short romantic break away which includes a gourmet dinner. Will I be able to resist pudding and, my favourite, a full English breakfast?  I’ll be back next week to let you know..

I've lost two pounds!

Posted by Caroline

I’ve been following the Gi plan for a week now and I’m surprised at how easy it’s been – well most of the time anyway. I like knowing what I’m eating every day and I’ve learned some new Gi friendly recipes. I made a really delicious grilled marinated sirloin with garlic roast potatoes when a friend came for dinner one night and she had no idea she was eating a low-fat ‘diet’ meal. 

As I used the personalised shopping list for my online grocery shop I had all the food I needed in the fridge at the start of the week which made me feel efficient and organised. This helped put me in the right frame of mind to take control of my weight. 

I’ve found filling out the diet journal every day with everything I eat as well as what exercise I do quite motivating. I’ve doubled my dog-walking and have finally got round to assembling the trampoline I bought a month ago so shall be jiggling around on that every day to help shift some of the wobble. 

The good news is that I’ve lost two pounds. I’d have liked to have lost more but I’d prefer to lose the weight slowly and steadily and not feel deprived at meal-times. Just the one hiccup this week and that was the bar of Swiss chocolate I begged my boyfriend to retrieve from its hiding place. I regretted it afterwards and am determined to be good this week.

Getting started

Posted by Caroline

I've joined Tesco Diets and decided to throw myself wholeheartedly into their diet programme. I spent an hour on the site choosing my diet and weekly meal plan. I went for GI as I’ve heard it’s supposed to help with sugar cravings – definitely my area of weakness.

The site came up with a week’s worth of recipes as well as a personalised exercise programme. You can exclude all the food you don’t want (I decided to leave out bread which can make my tummy look like an inflatable beach ball), swap recipes you don’t like for those you do and choose how much cooking you want to do as there there’s a convenience food option. I chose the recipe-based option as I love cooking.

Your weekly meal plan comes with a personalised shopping list which is fantastically helpful, as well as a journal with checklists for food, exercise, water and weight goals. I feel like Tesco Diets have thought of everything.

The first meal I made was delicious – lemon and feta pasta, and so was the ‘Cod Portugaise’ I had for lunch yesterday. The only hiccup I’ve had so far was dinner last night with a friend. I had a huge salad as my main course and felt so worthy that I shared a hot chocolate sundae for pudding. I’m blaming the hormones for that one!  Apart from that I’m on track and very excited about committing to the programme. 

I’m off now to take the dog for an extra long walk now.

The last supper!

Posted by Caroline

Knowing that I’d be starting my Tesco Diets programme I decided to go out in style with Sunday lunch at my mum’s. I ate everything on offer, from roast potatoes to apple crumble and very rich cheese. I feel really wobbly, blobby and bloated so I can’t wait to begin my diet.

I’ve heard Tesco Diets is really easy to use. My sister tried it for a couple of weeks – a month before Christmas – so didn’t do too well. We both tend to use Christmas as an excuse to eat whatever we want - as a result I’ve put on half a stone. Add that to the weight I already wanted to lose and I now find myself with over a stone to lose. I refuse to buy size 16 clothes, given that my wardrobe already contains clothes in sizes 10, 12 and 14.

I feel really determined to lose the weight and just hope I can overcome my biggest weakness – chocolate.  As my boyfriend is also a chocoholic I hope he won’t be a bad influence. I’m going to log onto the site now - fingers crossed everything will go to plan and I'll start to lose my excess pounds!

I want to lose a stone

Posted by Caroline

Hi, I’m Caroline. I’m 37 and weigh an all-time high for me of 10st 11lb and I’ve crawled up to a size 14. I’m a counsellor and work from home which means I’m within easy reach of the biscuit cupboard and toaster – a lethal combination! 

Until four or five years ago, I was quite slim, weighing about 9st, but two things happened. Firstly, I noticed that as I’ve hit my mid-thirties I seem to put on weight more easily. And secondly, I moved in with my boyfriend.

I was always quite disciplined about what food I brought when I lived on my own – generally, no biscuits, sweets or ice cream – but my boyfriend likes a fridge full of unhealthy (but highly tempting) junk food. It’s not all his fault though, I’m a chocoholic and have been known to leave the house with a coat over my pyjamas in the middle of the night to feed my addiction!

But it's time to take action so I'm about to give the world of online diet a go with Tesco Diets and I hope to lose a stone. I'm not sure how I'll get on but we shall see. One things for sure, with all eyes on the blog this will hopefully give me the incentive to stick with the diet this time.