Weigh-in day was a few days ago, I forgot to update this blog. I stayed the same. I was fine with that as I had been a bit sloppy with points last week, plus had been out to lunch with Rebecca and Rachel in the afternoon before I was weighed.

Rachel and I are now both 9 stone 10 and both want to lose about half a stone so we're in hot competition this week. Whoever loses the least has to buy the other some flowers (just from the supermarket). I've been really motivated and have been sticking to my points, in fact I've been under my points every day - not through starving myself but making better choices. I am loving WW, I never have to go hungry or without treats!

I had three people compliment me last Sunday at church and more this week. Am loving my new clothes!

Weigh-in day and I lost 2 pounds, but that was over the last two weeks as I didn't go and get weighed last week. Am chuffed, because I was messing about and going over my points, so I was glad to have lost.

I've been shopping like a mad woman this last week ... I have bought more clothes in the past week than I have in the past five years, and I'm not exaggerating! It is SO MUCH FUN to be able to buy size 10 and 12 and have them look good! I've bought a dress, skirt, tops, blouses, cardigans, sandals ... way too much fun. I get on such a high, and when something is a real bargain as well I'm like in euphoria, lol! I get way more pleasure from shopping now than I ever did from naughty food, and that's saying something.

Weigh-in day ... I really didn't think I'd lost this week due to stress so I was pleased that I'd lost 1 pound.

What's a weight loss diary without 'before' and 'after' pics? Well, these are more like 'before' and 'during' pics as I still want to lose a bit more. Here is what I looked like pre-weight-loss:

And last week at 24.5lb lighter and 2 sizes smaller:

Weigh-in day was two days ago and I lost another 2.5lb!! I am so excited. It was a thrill to fit comfortably in size 12 ... but now my jeans are getting a little loose again and for the first time the possibility of size 10 has become real. They did have a word with me at WW, asking how much I still want to lose but I assured them that I wanted to remain within the healthy range and not drop below it and that even though I've gone down into the next weight bracket (I'm 9st13 now) I wasn't going to drop a point as I'm doing fine on 19 points a day. I just feel like I still have some flab on my belly and hips (I'm fine with everything else) and that because I have a small frame it doesn't look as good on me to be in the top end of the healthy weight range for my height; I look better towards the bottom end. I wish I could just lose off my belly / hips and leave everything else!

Have been toning my arms with simple exercises every day; we'll see when / if it makes a difference. Ritsuko (one of the moms at school) asked if I'd lost weight, she'd noticed it in my face most. One more pound and it's two stone I've lost!

Tonight I was photographing Matt and Helen (their engagement session) and we got chatting about ages. I was 19 when I got engaged and had just turned 20 when Grant and I were married; Helen has just turned 20 and I'll be photographing their wedding in July. When I mentioned that I've been married 11 years, Helen blurted out, "Wow, I hope I look as good as you in 11 years' time!"

MADE. MY. DAY.

Weigh-in day and I was thrilled to bits to find I've lost 3 pounds!! Woohoo! Should go to Spain more often.

Loving my new jeans from Sainsbury's (size 12) - they fit so well and I feel great when I wear them.

I feel so much better today, things are more in perspective. Feel a bit sheepish, actually, but in a way it's good that gaining a little freaked me out so much - I'm more motivated and more careful with my tracking and points now. I know WW works and I know it's a long-term lifestyle change, not a quick fix or anything to get obsessive about.

Of course, some retail therapy always helps! Today I bought some trousers and skirts and a top - all size 12 with a couple of size 10's thrown in for kicks and giggles, and they all fit beautifully! I'm remembering what it's all about - I'm in a healthy weight range, I look good (or better than I did before) and I feel great, and my clothes fit and that's what it's all about, not a number on a scale. I feel and look like I lost this week, so who cares what the scales say.

Must lose the bit of flab on my belly, hips and bum, but healthily, not obsessively. Am at peace with that half pound, and in a really good place mentally.

Weigh-in day and I was devastated to be told I'd gained half a pound. I know, talk about over-reacting - to come home and cry over a couple of hundred grams is pathetic, but it was a crappy end to a crappy day. I need to figure out how and why it happened.

When you're on maintenance you can eat around 6 extra points a day and not gain (although everyone does differ) and there is no way I ate that many, no way at all. I did sneak a couple of the boys crisps here and there but even when I do that I mark it on my tracker and I've not gone over any day by more than a couple of points, and that wasn't even every day! We had the Sisters' Meal on Friday and I didn't pig out but I wasn't strict, and ate a whole helping of banoffee pie ... but even then, I had 14.5 points which I'd saved for the meal, plus the theoretical 6 extra when maintaining!

I guess what upset me is being so close to how I want to look, and then having this step backward. I've never not lost, so to gain (let alone stay the same!) was really upsetting. It makes me afraid, I don't want to gain back the weight I lost.

My leader was really nice, she was telling me to just relax, that it might mean nothing, that there may be no reason at all why it's happened, it could be my body adjusting and doing its own thing. She said to just stay calm and see what the next week or two bring - yeah right, I'm off to Spain on Monday, I can just imagine what the next week or two will look like. It's made me feel crappy about the holiday as well, like I can't just enjoy eating out etc. I've been out to eat before and made wise choices and still lost that week, but this half a pound has freaked me out. But I don't want to turn into one of those women who are so boring to eat out with, so strict and obsessed. But I don't want to gain any more either!!

I know I'm overreacting, but I can't help it. I think it's the perfectionist in me: doing WW, must lose every single week. Not realistic, but there it is. My leader was saying that if it's even just a couple of ounces over last week's weight it will count it as half a pound as the scales only measure in half pounds, and it might not even be that much.

I need to just get over it and get real. Maybe I wouldn't be as upset if I hadn't had such a crappy day and pressured week.

Weigh-in day and I've lost 2.5lb!! I only needed to lose half a pound to make Gold Membership, so I was thrilled!! So now I'm a Gold Member plus I've lost over 10% of my body weight. I am grinning from ear to ear!

Total weight loss: 22lb in 11 weeks.

Popped into Next Clearance today - they have no changing rooms so I had to just buy a few items on faith. The size 12 long denim skirt I got is slightly loose (!!) so I'm taking it back, the size 12 jeans are much too tight in the bum/waist but I'll hang onto them and hopefully fit into them soon, and the size 12 rust cord skirt is a little snug but will fit beautifully in a week or two. CHUFFED TO BITS.

Weigh-in day and although I hadn't expected to have lost more than half a pound, I actually lost 1.5 lb this week! I am so so so thrilled. This means that I only have to lost HALF A POUND to become a Gold Member and get my 10% keyring!! I'll definitely lose at least half a pound this week.

Why I hadn't expected to lose much: I didn't count points when I ate a big meal for Noah's birthday; I've been picking on birthday cake, chocolate and Rice Krispie treats; went out to eat last night and ate a bit too much.

Why I did lose despite the above: lots of walking; staying roughly near my points even though I did go over; didn't eat all of my potato, the coleslaw or all the cheese in my meal when we ate out.

I am so pleased!

Weigh-in day and I am walking on air - I lost 3 pounds this week!! I couldn't stop smiling the whole meeting. That means only 2 pounds to go and I will be a Gold Member! I still want to lose another 11 or so after that, though - will see how it goes.

I had been feeling a little discouraged this week because I've been sooo hungry lately but Sue Bentley said the same thing happened to her and that it's just a phase so hang in there. Today was better, I wasn't as hungry.

Rachel came to my WW meeting with me and we walked down. Today in total I've walked 16,059 steps which is 5.58 miles!! I earned 3 points but don't plan on using them. I'd rather lose the weight faster.

Feeling fantastic!! Yesterday I bought a new pair of jeans which fit fantastically. They are a size 14 but they fit properly - this is a big deal for me. The two main motivations to lose weight (besides looks) was that I was tired of being tired all the time (I'm not tired all the time anymore) and I couldn't find jeans or trousers to fit properly (and now I can!). I'm so happy.

I've done lots of walking today - it's only 2pm and I've already done 10,110 steps, which is 3.51 miles. I've reached healthy and have earned 1 point so far.

The weather is gorgeous, all sunny and fresh so I walked to Gyminies. I let Noah walk halfway home and all the fresh air and exercise has tired him out and he's asleep so i am working. Win-win!

I was reflecting on how much losing weight has changed my life already. Not too long ago I hardly took Noah to playgroups because I was too tired and fed up to bother. Now I go to mothers' group on Mondays, Gyminies on Wednesdays and out with him other days too, and today there was me walking over a mile to Gyminies. I feel so fantastic!

I feel like I've lost this week, hoping it will show on the scales tonight.

Weigh-in day yesterday - I lost half a pound. Not much of a loss (in fact, it was my lowest yet) but I was still really pleased because on Saturday we went to Sylvia's 60th birthday party and ate there, on Sunday I had some of her birthday cake and on Monday Rachel took us to Pizza Hut for buffet lunch.

I really did try to make better eating choices on these occasions than I normally would have - at Sylvia's do I had saved 6 points and I asked for half the amount of beef stew that the caterer was going to serve (and didn't even finish it), loaded up on green beans, carrots and salad and declined the potatoes and rice (although I did have some cauliflower cheese). I wasn't being pious - I genuinely didn't miss anything I had turned down. For dessert I chose the chocolate cake but only ate half of the piece and didn't have pouring cream over it. The birthday cake the next day: I didn't finish the whole piece and gave the thick rolled icing to the kids. At Pizza Hut I did have 3 pieces of pizza but I filled up on salad and chose a fat-free vinaigrette dressing, and didn't have any of the garlic bread. Again, I was well satisfied and enjoyed the meal and didn't miss anything I didn't eat. So I was really pleased that my choices paid off and I still had a small loss this week.

I feel so fantastic - I have more energy, I can fit into my clothes and look decent in them and I feel more confident.

Weigh-in day and I am over the moon - I lost 2.5lb! Woohoo!! That makes 14.5lb total - just over a stone. Yeah! Driving home I was on a total high and I was thinking, "This, this feeling, is worth so much more than a piece of chocolate cake or any of the things I've given up (and frankly don't even miss)." Am v proud of myself and still feeling v motivated and focused.

Did the Kelli Roberts step workout today - first 2 parts with 6 inches and last bit with 4 inches. I quite enjoyed it - it was a tough workout, got me sweating and breathing. Can't make it all the way through the abs bit.

I've been feeling so great. I'm enjoying fitting into smaller clothes, I have more energy, my skin is clear and Rachel can't believe how healthy I look.

Weigh-in day ... I lost another pound. I was hoping for 1.5 but am still happy. I am looking so much better with the 12lb loss so far and feeling fantastic, so anything more that I lose is gravy. I'm back into the clothes I wore before I fell pregnant with Noah (almost 3 years ago!) although they do fit a bit differently as my shape has changed.

I need to lose 8lb to get to goal at WW, and then I'd like to lose another 15lb after that. I'm aiming for a size 12. So with 23lb to lose and 12lb lost already, I'm a third of the way there!

Weigh-in day - I lost another 2.5 pounds! I was so so pleased as I hadn't felt like I'd lost anything this week even though I was slightly below my points every day and I've been ill. Total loss in five weeks: 11 pounds.

Weight-in day was yesterday - I lost another pound. I know why it wasn't more - even though I fasted 3 meals on the weekend, I didn't count points the rest of the time and probably went over. Also, I haven't been drinking enough water. But hey, it's still a pound less than I was before. Here's to a better week next week!

Weigh-in day - and I've lost another 3.5 pounds! Hooray, that's half a stone in two weeks. Man, I felt crap that first week ... but after the first 7 days my body seemed to adjust and I've felt great. I'm learning how to manage my points throughout the day. I can feel the weight loss, it's showing in how my clothes fit and I can see it in my face / neck / ribcage. Yeah.

Weigh-in day! I've lost 4 pounds in my first week, hooray!

Have to admit, have felt pretty crap most of the week. Yesterday was the worst. I am trying to spread my points more evenly now and drink more water - I think my body has been detoxing or something. We'll see how it goes next week.

But yay! 4 pounds!

I started doing WW last week Thursday. I'm not attending meetings or anything, but I have the book and the recipe books and Rebecca is very supportive and thre to help me with advice and to talk about it and she'll be checking up on my weight every Wednesday. I'm enjoying it so far - appeals to the control freak in me! The recipes are really good. I'm a bit annoyed that I'm only allowed 19 points a day, but so far I'm managing to make them work.

Oh, I forgot to mention I've hurt my knee (sitting with my leg twisted under me while at the computer) so that's why I've stopped exercising for now. I plan to lift weights though.

Starting weight last Thursday: 11st 7lb.

Exercise: yesterday instead of driving to fetch Daniel from school I walked, pushing the buggy. Over 2 miles round trip.
Other: bought a pair of shoes and a skirt.

Weight: don't know what it is now, but a few days ago it was 72.2kg - 13.2kg to go (0.8kg lost). When I shot the wedding with Natasha on Saturday she commented that I had lost weight (so have a couple of other people).
Water: appalling ... must get on track!
Eating: still can't taste anything due to bad sinus infection. I'm well now, but apparently it can take months for nerves to renew?! Tonight Noah was hassling at bedtime and I had the strongest craving for pudding / cake / custard / ice cream - purely emotional eating which I resisted. For meals I've been eating Weight Watchers meals some of the time.
Exercise: tonight, even though I was shattered, I did 2.3 miles on the treadmill while watching CSI (40 minutes). I feel really proud of myself. I mainly walked, but ran for a couple of minutes a couple of times.
Other: bought my hair straighteners! Need to get a haircut, must book that.

Water: Have been doing really badly. I'm feeling it too, especially now I am sick (just getting over cold, struggling with sinus infection).
Weight: Just before Christmas I was 71.3kg (11st3lb / 157lb) - 12.3kg to go ... I had lost 1.6kg. What with all the bingeing on junk food over Christmas I have no idea what I weigh now. I'll get back on track in the New Year and once I am over this illness.
Eating: Lots of chocolate and desserts, nuts, junk food, etc. I really have been eating whatever I want, whenever I want. A lot of it is comfort eating as Noah has been really sick and whiny and I've been ill too.
Exercise: Absolutely none. Unless you count napping.

Water: Did badly yesterday and badly today. I don't do well when I'm out and about ... I hate to have to run to the loo every five minutes when I'm not home.
Eating: Doing okay, but starting to slip a little with the prospect of Christmas. It doesn't help to have junk in the house. My meals are better than they used to be, but it's the snacking (esp in evening) that's getting me.
Exercise: Did 2.3 miles in 40 minutes, walking on treadmill.

Yesterday - 14 December

Weight: 72.4kg (11st5lb / 159lb) - 13.4kg to go, 0.5kg lost
Water: 2 litres drunk
Eating: not bad, resisted temptation to eat crap and had healthy snacks instead, Weight Watchers meals for lunch and supper (home-cooked, and I cooked extra for the freezer)
Exercise: walked / ran 1.75 miles in 25 minutes on the treadmill

Water: 1.75 litres drunk - didn't make the full 2 litres because I was out quite a bit today
Eating: not bad - was very restrained at a Christmas get-together and only had little nibbles instead of going all out

Weight: 72.9kg (11st6lb / 160lb) - 13.9kg to go
Water: 2 litres drunk
Eating: not bad
Exercise: cheesy step workout, 6 inch step. Did great - felt my muscles burning while I worked out but managed to keep up and keep in control the whole way. I still remember the whole routine. My knees hurt a bit during but by the end they were okay. I had to lower my arms briefly at one point when working on them as they got too tired, but it wasn't for long. Stretching - am still as flexible as I always was.

Project Jen begins today. Maybe December isn't the wisest time to begin, but I'll allow myself a slow start as I enjoy some indulgence over the Christmas season, then step it up a bit in the new year.

What is Project Jen? It's a makeover project. It's me reaching a point where I'm tired of looking frumpy and scruffy and unkempt. I'm done childbearing and now I'm reclaiming my body and fine tuning it. My goals include:

- losing 14kg (2st3lb / 31lb) and fitting into a size 12
- focusing on better grooming, including nails, using a hair straightener and taking more care with my make-up
- trendier clothes
- drinking 2 litres of water a day
- taking care to eat a little better / less

I certainly don't expect any of this to happen overnight and I know I'll have plenty of "why bother?" days, which is one of the reasons I've started this blog - to keep track of my progress and motivate myself a little. I'll also be posting progress pictures and I am to report my weight to Rebecca every Wednesday (that's the day she goes to Weight Watchers).

Grant and I have worked out a new routine - he will watch the boys upstairs immediately after he gets home from work on Tuesdays and Fridays and I will do a step workout. Before getting pregnant with Daniel I was doing a step workout 2-3 times a week and lost 11kg (1st10lb / 24lb) in three months.

Why am I suddenly motivated to do this? I have reached a point where I am just tired all the time because I'm unfit. My clothes don't fit me because I'm between sizes, and those that do fit don't look good because I'm overweight. I'm fed up of the "muffin top" (the bulge above my waistband) and my big bum. My body finally feels like it's back to "normal" (ha!) after having Noah and I just feel like my efforts at losing weight by exercising will pay off. I've done it before and I know I can do it again. Because I've done it before I know that it takes discipline and motivation.

So here's to new beginnings and goals and honing my bod!