Errr, Hello?

Welcome to my weight loss journey. I am hoping that by keeping a blog of my successes (and failures) of losing weight, it will help to keep me on the straight and narrow and give me the motivation to succeed that I have lacked so far!

So, how did I end up here? Well, I've always been on the chubby side (even as a child) but managed to keep things in check. About 6 years ago, following the ending of a long-term relationship, I threw myself into a keep-fit regime and got down to 9st 12lbs; at the time a weight loss of 2 stone in under a year. I was thrilled with my new figure, I was a perfect size 10 and although the scales still showed a bit on the heavy side, it was pure muscle. I could do 20 press-ups, hundreds of sit-ups, run 5km, cycle for half an hour and row for half an hour all in the one session without hardly breaking into a sweat. I was going to the gym 5 days a week and for the first time I felt truly happy in myself; my self confidence was at an all time high. I even had an office fling with a colleague 12 years younger than me - you can imagine what a boost that was to the old ego! I loved going out and buying new clothes, the thrill of being able to pick a size 10 off the rack in the knowledge that it would fit perfectly never diminished.

So, when did things start to go downhill? Well, 5 years ago I met my current partner and being with him was more attractive than going to the gym. Gym visits became more and more sporadic as time went on and the weight started to creep back on. In 2007, I briefly had an epiphany and restarted at the gym in earnest, going 3-4 times a week and I managed to get back down to my fighting weight in a short time. However, the mood didn't really take hold and once again visits became few and far between. In August 2008 I became pregnant and following the birth of my son in May 2009 my weight was around the 12 stone mark. I managed to lose a stone or thereabouts but fell pregnant again in October 2009 before I had lost all my pregnancy weight. With pregnancy number 2 I put on more weight and by the time I had son 2 in July 2010, my weight was out of control. As much as I hate being the weight I am, and shopping is just a nightmare of trying to find smocks to cover my lumps and bumps, I have struggled to find the motivation to do anything about it.

So, what's changed? Well, the feeling of going into clothes shops and having to look on the super-sized rails is really starting to get me down - more so at this time of year because of all the lovely Christmas outfits. I have been lamenting for ages to my partner about my weight and even he is starting to get fed up; although I can honestly say he has been very supportive and not once has he criticised or commented on my ever increasing weight.

So, what's the plan? Well, the first thing I am NOT going to do is join a gym. I know that I currently lack the motivation to get myself down there every day. I also know the cost of membership is no motivator as I joined the gym just before I fell pregnant with number 2 and never went more than a handful of times even though I carried on paying £20 per month throughout my pregnancy. However, I am planning on joining Slimming World, not so much because of the support groups (I am not good with groups) but more for the humiliation of the public weigh-in: I am a competitive person and I hope that having others monitoring my weight will inspire me to keep on going.

Okay, so it's Day 1 of the new me, what are my vital stats? Here goes:

Weight: 14st 2lbs
Bust: 46 inches
Waist: 40 inches
Hips: 44 inches

Not good is it? Things have definitely slid out of hand, but it's now time to get hold of the reins and gather back the control I have lost and hopefully emerge at the end of this process as a healthier, and hopefully happier, person.

Welcome to my journey . . . .