Over the last six weeks I've had a break from being good. The combination of these dark and miserable British winter days, and the holiday season meant it was all a bit hard to keep going. However, having lost a smidge under 3 stone (19kg) since January I think I was due a break

Unsurprisingly that means I've put on some weight, about 3kg, which was more than I'd hoped, but less than feared



It's actually been an interesting little experiment, it's given me an idea of how fast I can put weight back on when I don't keep an eye on things. It's also given me a bit of an encouragement, since it's reminded me what it felt like to be this big again, and not be able to quite fit in my new, smaller, jeans

So, now I have a short term target, to lose those 3kg in the next six weeks, which is about the speed I lost it last year. I'm going to be using a combination of Wii Fit and EA Sports Active - More Workouts. Sports Active has a six week programme, which you do workouts from four days a week, and I'll do Wii Fit on the other three days. I'll probably be doing yoga mostly, as I find it a good counterpoint to Active's cardio and muscle workout, and it always makes me feel good.

Wish me luck

I, amazingly, managed to stay on track through the holidays. I know I ate too much but I kept up with my workouts and even did 2 some days to make up for lost time. I just completed the 6 week challenge in EA Sports Active and will probably start another tmw or this afternoon if I feel energetic. I did a workout this morning with My Fitness Coach but got totally frustrated with some of the exercises because I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. I'll need to see if there are some tutorials on doing the Charleston etc on the step. Otherwise it isn't going to be enjoyable when I'm just flapping around aimlessly. I did like that I could choose how long and my workout focus. I think if I get onto it that it will be a nice addition for when I want a change of pace.

Paul, if you look at it as from one January to the next, you made a lot of progress. Just think where you can be next January!

I didn't gain any, but since losing is so hard for me, I decided to just be good through it all. Since last Feb. I have lost only 8.5 pounds. That is actually quite an acheivement, because if I were eating like I would like, I'd have gained 30. So I figure I am 38.5 pounds better off!

When I am good about dieting, my tummy seems to shrink, as the French Diet books say it will. If I stick to it, I can't put too much food in there, so I don't gain. However, if I go to a party and eat big, I wind up eating big ever after. Until I've gained enough weight to be mad at myself and start again. I'm really happy with my small loss and intend to do better now that I've had my Wii Fit for just the past 3 months.

When I work out, it makes me want to eat healthier, drink more water and work out more! Before I had the Wii, I was very sedentary since here in Oregon we have those same gray and rainy winters. Not a lot of snow in my area, but you certainly are not inclined to go out and walk. With the Wii, I figure I will do better.

I have also decided to give up wheat on my doctor's advice to clear up some eczema on my hands. Without wheat, many times I go to find something to eat and don't want any of what I can have! That helps. I've also cut back on chocolate to help me sleep better. It pays to be a weakling. Sometimes I start to get down about what I can't eat, but I have a big mirror on a wall near my kitchen and I take a look and remember that I look a bit better than I did a year ago. And I think about doing some exercises for my core muscles and how much better I might look next summer than I did last summer. It really keeps me going. Not to mention that I could get healthier!!!

That's a good point about your tummy shrinking. I found the same thing. During the first month or two I often felt hungry, ut after a while it got easier as my tunny shrunk.

Having overdone things I think I've stretched my tummy again I just need to give it time.

Yes, well it sounds like you are not a quitter, and so you will shrink and lose again. I was happy today to find myself down a bit more, and that is very motivating. Over the year I am now down 10 pounds! Since I am staying on it better now, I do think I may make my summer goal.

Well done

I think developing a long term view is one of the most important, and probably hardest things you need to do when losing weight. It's what really annoys me about all these "drop a dress size in two weeks" diets that get punted every new year and just before the summer. They give people really unrealistic expectations, and the focus is all wrong.

It would be nice. But I don't go for it either, and remind myself how much I'd have gained if it were not for all this work!

How long did it take before your belly started to shrink. That's what I want and though I have lost 5 lbs in the last 7 weeks I haven't seen any shrinkage According to Wii I am 25 lbs overweight but I think 15 would be great.

I think they mean their actual stomachs. If you quit eating so much your stomach gets used to it and you don't need to eat so much to feel full.

Exactly. The stomach is like a rubber balloon, if you constantly inflate it with food it loses its stretchy-ness. When you eat less some of that elasticity returns, which means it doesn't feel so empty over time, and you feel full after a smaller amount of food.

That's essentially how a gastric band works, it is wrapped around the stomach to stop you from eating too much.