Starting weight:​​18st 10lbs
Last week’s weight:​​18st 7lbs​
This week’s weight:​​18st 2lbs
Loss/gain:​​​-5lbs
Total loss/gain:​​​-8lbs
Target weight:​​​14st

Well, another good week: Over half a stone in 2 weeks is, in my eyes, very good progress. This really pleases me as I hadn’t been hitting the gym as much. It just goes to show that eating sensibly really works. I have to say, the Hairy Dieter’s book has been the best Christmas present. My wife & I have been trying for years to shed some pounds and this is really helping. The food is healthy & easy to make and, most importantly, it’s bloody delicious. I’ve also replaced all fatty treats with fruit & healthier options like Snack-a-jacks © and Special K Biscuits Moments ©. I don’t even crave chocolate anymore!!

I went to the gym on Monday night and I was greeted with a sea of tight t-shirt wearing gym monkeys. It was all a bit homo-erotic for my liking: picture the volleyball scene in Top Gun. Lots of man hugs high 5’s after a good set. I mean, I know it’s important to have a buddy to help you work out but I draw the line at arse slapping! Anyway, I did 2km on the treadmill and then 5km on the bike, before a few light sets on the my arms. By then, the gym was full of Resolutioners, and I was quickly losing my motivation. I think the final straw came when I saw a young chap dancing to his ipod (other mp3 players are available) between sets. So I went home & had a long bath to ease the aching muscles.

Tuesday & Wednesday saw me do no exercise due to my daughter’s appearance in her dance troupe’s annual show. And to be honest, I had been on my feet all day, wearing a rather heavy lead gown as I was in theatre, so I probably wouldn’t have done much anyway. However, despite those 2 no-shows, I still managed a decent loss. I had shown up to our local running club, all kitted out and ready to pound the pavements…however, I got my times mixed up and showed up 30 minutes late!

Jordan’s success of a 4lb loss was also a huge inspiration to me. It’s really helping to have him along on this journey with me. Although our conflicting work schedules mean that we don’t get to physically meet up too often, to know he’s doing well too is enough to make me keep going. Now I’m not saying that there is an element of competition creeping into my mind-set but…I do kind of want to lose more than him on a weekly basis!

My main aim for the next week is to get under 18stone and see the number 17 on the scales for the first time in years. Fingers crossed.