When I first started this blog, I anticipated making progress a lot sooner than I have but all that matters is I’m finally on track. I promised to share my highs and lows of the weight loss battle and I’m so pleased to be sharing a photo I can refer to as a high. I hope it’s the first of many to come.

I really don’t recognise myself in the first photo, despite having been like that for 2 years. I see a belly full of Diet Coke, takeaways and chocolate. Let’s be honest, I’m a red and white coat away from looking like Santa Claus and that’s only a good look on the big man himself. The photos are only 3 weeks apart but it just shows what benefits a change of diet and regular exercise can do. I’ve ditched all the junk food and chocolate and have finally binned the Diet Coke too. I know a lot of these things are ‘allowed’ on Slimming World (within reason) but for me, at least for now, I need to steer clear of them. I don’t want to live without chocolate forever but I can’t eat it in moderation so for the time being I’ve said good bye to it completely. I’m following 8 rules to eating set by Rog at Footmark and they’re working well for me. I’m full of energy, haven’t had an afternoon nap since I started with him and the benefits are clearly showing on my waist too. To say I’m thrilled is an understatement.

A couple of people at work have noticed I’ve started losing weight and commented on it today. It feels great but being able to zip my winter coat up without feeling like my ribs were about to cave in might just be my proudest achievement yet. Still not quite there with the leather skirt…