It’s a new month, what better time to start a new healthy diet and exercise plan?
Since I left Weightwatchers at the start of the summer I’ve gained almost half a stone. Not ideal. That said I’m not completely gutted about it, I had a fabulous summer and food featured highly. It’s not like I’m sitting here scratching my head wondering how on earth it happened 
I want the weight off now though, summer is officially over. So how am I going to do it? Well…. I’m re-joining Weighwatchers on Wednesday morning, it works well for me, and I like the support of other dieters.
I’ve also joined a group on Twitter that are aiming to lose a stone (14lbs) in the month of September. We’ll be posting our progress under the hashtag #Septemberstone . Join us!!
Finally and most exciting of all for me…. I’ve taken up running. I am a complete novice and had literally never ever ever ran for exercise until Sunday night past. I’m using an application on my iPhone called Get Running. I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s a nine week fitness plan based on Josh Clark’s famous couch to 5K plan. A professionally recorded voice prompts you at regular intervals, letting you know when to start running and when to walk (it’s a mixture of both to start with), all the while allowing you to listen to the bangin’ tunes on your iPod!
The first leg of training is eight 1 minute runs broken up with eight 1.5 minute walks. Sound easy? Think again. I boked after the third minute. Classy…..
The last two 1 minute runs were more like crawls but I didn’t stop and the feeling of achievement once I heard the voice in my ear saying “Congratulations you just completed your first run” was absolutely amazing! I can’t wait to get back out tonight!
One thing I will say is to make sure you’re well equipped trainer and bra wise if you’re of the female sex. I was totally unaware that every time you pound the pavement 3 times your body weight it absorbed through your feet. Yesterday I had a noticeably sore spine, and my jugs felt like they’d had weights hanging off them (and I’m not a big busted gal). So it’s Sports bra and proper running shoes from here on in.
Current Weight: 11 Stone 11lbs
Dress Size: UK 14
Height: 5ft 6″
Wish me luck 
xox
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Count me in too! I need a goal like this one! I temporarily left WW as I moved to London and have only restarted 2 weeks ago. I have been running/ crawling when possible too, it's makes you feel great afterwards. Good luck with this Arlene, I can't wait to see everyones progress x x x
GOOD LUCK! xx
Woohoo! Diet and fitness frenzy here we all come. I'm so glad you are running now, it is so enjoyable and we can totally motivate each other!
Good on you! I am still doing ww and weighing in at boots every week I have lost 7lbs in 2 weeks. I will also be joining in with september stone! X
Fabulous. I'm really looking forward to following everyone's progress and stealing tips
Pity we didn't live closer to each other Karen, we could have been pounding the pavements together!
Well done Victoria!!! You're proof that 14lbs in 4 weeks is achieveable! xoxox
Good Luck
I too am aiming for being a lighter lady in October, have a weeks hols in Portugal on sept 25th so thats my deadline – hmm must look into this twitter lark!
@Bigeyes A holiday!! There is no better motivation than the thought of baring all on the beach! You can do it. Definitely sign up to Twitter, there is a great community on there xo
I know eek was soo good up til June then fell completely off wagon would be happy with 7 or 8lbs – off i go to twitterland!
@Bigeyes thats realistic and doable!!
xox
K back from twitterland far too scary! I did the couch to 5k earlier this year its great, cant beat running for weightloss! that remind me must go for a run after work..
LOL @ BigEyes If you change your mind I'm @dressjunkie on Twitter….. surprisingly
Good Luck
I really admire all you people with determination and a bit of will power!
Will look out for your tweets
Hello! Good Luck Arlene – I look forward to hearing your progress.
It was lovely to see this post. (firstly cos were almost the same weight and height – Same to lose?) and secondly I am just starting on my journey ….YET AGAIN (terrible excuse for a weight loser!) and it's nice to have the support.
I'll pop in on the goss at #septemberstone but maybe not the running (my jugs are too big for a sports bra…yes true (even at bravissimo…pffft!) and it f-ing hurts to run – Spaniels lugs on a woman cant be a great look?…i will be cycling…non impact votes well for me!)
xxxx
Good Luck with it – I think months ago I mentioned I was trying to lose a fair bit of weight myself and fell off the wagon within a few week but restarted about three weeks ago and have lost 8 lbs and kept it off – weigh watchers is the only thing that works for me – I don't go to the meetings but love the system.
Was 13st 4 lbs (God, scary saying that!)
Now 12st 10lbs
goal 10st 7lbs
Ah snap, I started the couch to 5k program on my iPhone. I am doing day 3 tonight but I think I will have to repeat week 1. Its much harder than I thought, I'm not finishing the last few 60 seconds of running as I'm usually dying about 15 minutes in. Also the stiffness the day after regardless of how much stretching I do is annoying. But I have high hopes for it…
looking forward to seeing how you get on with it
@Rebecca Thanks bird!!
@Marie I nearly lost a rib laughing at that!! I've yo-yoed a bit too this year, but the important thing is that we're all taking positive action to fix it again, instead of lying about moaning about our love handles. Let me know how you go with the cycling, I have a bike but I think I need a larger ladies seat for it as it cuts the arse clean off me
xx
@Ariane One false start maybe, but it looks like you've powered off the starting blocks this time!! Wow!! We can do this
@Cheeky I must admit that I'm still sitting here aching from Sunday night and wondering how I'll run 1 minute tonight never mind eight :S Ah well we can only do our best.
I do think the right shoes are key to avoiding real aches and pains though, have you worked out what type of footprint you have and where why your particular foot needs support? This guide is great http://www.momentumsports.co.uk/ShBestRunningShoe…
Good luck! I'm doing WW too as you may know and i need to get my ass in gear. Gained another pound this week- my heart isn't in it. I need a kick up the bum. My stats are pretty much the same as yours so i hope we can do this together : ) xx
@Emma of course we can. The more support around you, the more likely you are to suceed. Dieting can be a lonely aul business! I lost just under 20lbs with WW before the summer, but like you I started to lose focus. We can get back on track. I've got an empty jotter and I'm trying to meal plan weekly and do a Tesco shop on the back of that. It's when the cupboards are bare and I'm tired that I reach for the Chinese menu. Eeek xx
I know what you mean, i lost 21lbs with them and now i think im at 15lbs, so need to lose that 6lbs and then the rest to get to goal. eek. I'm on your twitter anyway so we can keep each other posted.
P.s I still haven't used that St. Moriz i won in your giveaway lol- working up courage
xxx
@Emma I don't blame you. I've seen some really good results with it and some really bad. Must admit that now the weather is on the turn again I feel the need to tan big style. Need to lift my complexion. I think I'll keep to the St Tropez for now tho
xx
I want to do this too, after this weekend I feel like I've put on about 3 stone! Lets hope I remember the challenge & not forget it like I usually do.
You'll do fab, hun!
xxx
Inspiring post it would seem Arlene!
Gotta say I am now the complete reverse of how used to be which was great at controlling my food intake but bad at exercise, now I love going running but have a hard time not eating like Michelle McManus on a weekend away!
Marie – interms of the sports bra, have you tried the brand Freya I got mine from them and it is fantastic, I'm quite busty (34FF) so had no real option but get a decent bra. It makes the most amazing difference, I can run no problem (well no problem with my boobs anyway). It is underwired which I believe is the trick, you should check them out online I think mine was £27.50.
Good luck girl! Exercising is sth we should all be doing (you 've reminded me to go look into some dancing classes, lol)!!!
Keep up the good work!
xoxoxo