Oh to be slim!

So, I've welcomed you all to my new hobby.... blogging. So now it's time to introduce you to an old hobby of mine, one I hardly ever get right, so far haven't suceeded at and keep starting over... DIETING!

Those of you that know me know I have been dieting forever. I have always been chubby, fat, overweight, tubby, have puppy fat or whatever you want to call it. I remember vividly my mum saying to me, 'don't keep eating that chocolate you will regret it when you are older, if I could I would go back to your age and look after my figure I would because it is so hard to do it now...' But alas I carried on.

For a long time I was desperate to lose weight and considered myself HUGE this was from 16-18. However if I knew then what I do now I'd say I was ok!

I had a bit of a turbulent time in 2002 when the above pic was taken, one of the worst years of my life, (even if 10 years on history is playing a cruel trick and challenging this fact) lots of changes took place, I did lots of growing up and then in 2003 finally met the man of my dreams (except I didn't know it at the time!) while at uni.

From the ages of 19 - 21 my size really didn't play a big role in my thoughts as it had done in my younger years, I was happy, we ate out a lot in our dating days and I learnt to dress well. Even now I'd love to go back to this size!

The pics above whilst celebrating my 21st, I was young, in love, engaged and just about to finish uni. Barney was a lot heavier then than he is now, amazing how we swapped! We then in 2004 took up the task of giving up smoking, I didn't want to, Barney was desperate to and I was too stubborn not to succeed. So we did it, we gave up, Barney threw himself at the gym, I threw myself in the direction of cake and wine!

And so giving up smoking and taking up eating in a big way before my wedding day resulted in two wedding dresses (yes the first one didn't fit and a second one had to be ordered), several fat pictures as shown above, the latest one directly above in July this year and some asthma problems. I now have to do something about my weight, there is no good blaming the giving up smoking, it has been nearly 7 years now and it is just plain unsightly and unhealthy.

So for the last time, I am dieting, joined the gym and need to shift this arse once and for all. I am sitting typing this, eating my last boost bar and drinking a wednesday cider and am planning with much resolve.

I love my family and my life and would like very much for it to carry on for a long while, to do this I need to be slimmer and healthier and look after myself better. Probably not a good idea for me to take up cooking this week, and if any of you have any tips for me please feel free to share.

For now I'll start counting points and I'll keep you posted xx