(click on picture for larger image, look how loose that top is on me!)

I had been overweight for about 4 years until a light bulb went on in my head and I realized I wasn't the fit and fun person I used to be. 10 months ago I joined Weight Watchers (WW) weighing in at an unhealthy and fat 189 pounds. According to the body mass index (used by WW to determine healthy weight ranges) I was considered obese. People in this range are at a great risk for heart disease. You can use this height and weight chart to tell what weight range you are in.

I was so unfit the 10 minute walk to the supermarket was a challenge and one that was not often accepted. As the years went by I was increasing in clothes size, I found shopping for clothes that looked nice and were comfortable a near impossible task. I remember the odd occasion coming home in tears cursing the mall for not having clothes that fitted the bigger lady. I was looking to blame everyone else but myself for my problem.

In May 2002 I joined a gym and found that just exercising and maintaining my unhealthy eating habits was not moving the weight so I joined WW and in the first week I had lost over 1 pound. This was a huge confidence booster and I was convinced I could lose this weight and be the fit and fun person I was 4 years ago. WW is not one of those fad diets - it really teaches you to change your eating pattern. At WW you can eat you favorite foods and still lose weight. My favorite is chicken and chips and with hints on how to prepare these foods I found I could have this once a week if I wanted.

I want to stress to anyone hoping to lose weight that exercise is not an option - if it wasn't for the gym I would not have been anywhere near as successful as I have been. Not only did I lose weight I have also toned. The gym is not for everybody and I have also found that a 30min walk does the trick.

I contribute my success to attending every meeting every week without fail. The meetings are conducted by people who have been through the program and succeeded. They know the highs and lows of losing weight (they have been there) and have handy hints and fantastic motivation stories to keep you going. A real motivator is when your clothes become loose. Weight can really start ot fall away then. I would also like to thank my wonderful and loving husband who has been there to count the points when I was losing motivation and to push me out of bed when I just felt I couldn't exercise anymore.

You can monitor my progress through the graphs I have put up and the photos I will include from time to time.

If you are serious about losing weight - read through the weight watchers website and sign up. Good Luck : )