I have learnt quite a lot about losing weight during various cycles of getting fat and then getting thin again. Each time I do it slightly differently, probably so it doesn't feel as much like groundhog day!

In general my methods involve food-swapping and sensible eating with GI and metabolic considerations alongside an 'a bit of exercise will be a great benefit' attitude.

I'm not in favour of punishing regimes, that may be suitable for mini duration diets with urgent goals such as weddings or holidays.. but those of us on a longer journey need to accept that it will take quite a long time to get there and we may as well make ourselves comfortable and learn to enjoy it!

Oh yes - and of course you should know that my biggest challenge tends to be staying at a good weight.. I can lose weight, I can gain weight.. both of those things I do very well... in fact I only ever seem to do one or the other.

I started this time (on 1st April 2016) from the highest weight I've ever been at 260lb (or 18st 8lb) and I wanted to reach 11st by my 45th birthday (06/05/2017) - I'm happy to be able to update my profile with the shocking news that I actually did manage it!

My next objective is to continue on and so to reach 140lb at some point - but I'm not at all concerned about when this has to happen by. I may like to be 140lb by 06/05/2018, but even if I'm still bouncing about at 154lb that would be a huge achievement too. We shall see in good time..

I wish everyone great outcomes.