Hi Lizzie - Happy New Year to you and everyone here on YSP!

I think it would be great if we all encouraged each other to lose some weight/get fit....I confess to being the world's greatest yo-yo dieter, but having turned 42 last November, I realise that I can't lose it as easily as I did in my 20s or 30s!! My husband and I weighed ourselves a couple of days ago and it was a shock for me :-((. Why do men never seem to put any weight on? Not fair!

So, count me in Lizzie; although I'm not brave enough to post before and after photographs, lol. I will admit to needing to lose 3 stones....:-((

KatieN, we men do put on weight. Just glad my old avatar no longer up for all to see.

Same here, have to do healthy bit. Migraines rotten aren't they LizzieAnn. I get them now and again, no idea what triggers them.

But I'll bet you still look handsome George... ;-)

I'm up for that!! I'd love to lose some weight in the New Year. I could do with losing at least a stone or more. I also have a back problem, so losing some weight would help. Also I saw a Pain Management Specialist, recently and he recommended trying Pilates for the back pain. So I'm going to enrol for a course coming up soon. I'll keep you updated.

I joined WeightWatchers a while ago to loose the last 10lb of baby weight from my second child. I lost it really easily - and then put it straight back on again! Arrrgh! I took my father-in-law with my and he's lost nearly 4 stones and kept it off! I hate being hungry and have no will power at all!

Katie, I'm with you kid, I need to lose about 3 stones too!! I don't like weight watching clubs as they are too expensive but I am poor for willpower...have not been brave enough to weigh myself yet, but will go into Boots weighing machine on Monday and get a fright when they read out the weight in a LOUD voice!!

Lizzie, I'm with you on the slimming club front! I know they work for many people - as Charlotte and her father-in-law have proved! - but I've never felt comfortable in those situations. So, let's get started here!

I admire your courage in weighing yourself in Boots - I think if I did that, the scales would say "one at a time, please" or worse, "cannot give readings for coach parties!!!".....

Lizzie Ann-you mention too much at the front,hope you're not boasting again!

Listen, ever since I was aged 15 ande 36DD I have had too much at the front....but the trouble is now it has moved downwards so it is all on the front!!! I don't drink beer but have a beer belly too!! And no, John, before you ask, I am NOT changing my avatar back to THAT cat picture!!

Sorry, Charlotte, of course clubs like weight watchers work for some people but I always put it on again on ANY diet I go on...but plaudits to your father-in-law - 4 stones is incredible!! Well done.

Katie, today I had fruit and fibre for breakfast with skimmed milk, a turkey and cranberry sandwich on seeded brown bread for lunch and some chicken dippers, mashed potatoes and beans for tea.....no snacks and only a few cups of tea with sweeteners instead of sugar. What do you think? I know the mashed potatoes were naughty but my husband makes them soooooooooo creamy and I had some to use up after Christmas. I have not been brave enough to weigh myself yet...will wait until Monday.

I was back on the bicycle today, cycling to work, and I did my usual 7 miles. It poured with rain the whole day, but I did not shirk, I pedalled like mad. When the weather improves, I intend to take the scenic route to work so I can work in a few extra miles....if I do that, I can do 10 miles a day, simply with going round by the sea path and it is well worth it, on my journeys in the spring last year, I saw baby seals, cormorants, curlews, and even one day a shark basking off the shore!!

Lizzie, I am so envious of the spring scenery you describe on your journey to work! I cycled to work this morning too, but was almost blown off in the winds that are currently battering West Yorkshire; however, nobody can say that we are fair weather cyclists, lol.

You're off to a good start with your meals; and I really wouldn't worry about the mashed potatoes. Portion control is more important, and above all, the fact that you've cut out the snacks is the best way to go. Like you, I've cut out the snacks, but I am still using up some cheese leftover from Christmas - I cannot abide waste, and will simply not buy any more creamy cheeses once I've used up what I have.

This morning I had a bowl of porridge for breakfast; I've found that malt syrup I got from a health food store tastes just as good on porridge as the maple syrup and (shamefully) demerara sugar I've been using up to Christmas. I made a batch of carrot and corriander soup last night which will last me for my lunches for about four days; it's a very low calorie, low fat, and a yummy soup - I'd be happy to let anyone who wants it have the recipe. It's simple to make, and is cheap and nourishing, as well as being freezable, if you want to make up a big batch.

I'm not sure what I'm having for dinner this evening as it's hubby's turn to cook - but he's been given his "instruction", lol.

Keep up the good work!

AND, if anyone has some tips or recipes - do share! Let's all help one another out.

Well done, Katie! I love carrot and coriander soup..and I would love the recipe as currently I buy the Baxters variety...have you tried their Spicy Parsnip, it is yummy and really creamy!

I had no snacks again today, working too hard, moan, moan, roll on the weekend! But I had fruit and fibre again for breakfast, a brown sandwich for lunch and some pork and apple sausages, grilled, with tomatoes, black olives and micro chips for dinner. Lots of water to drink all day - Summer Fruits Volvic is my tipple...yum!

You keep up your good work, too!!

Still behaving, folkies...had no chocolates or cheese yet......and had some nuts and bananas for snacks...I am turning into a monkey!!