Diary of a dieter - week 6

They say a little of what you fancy does you good. But does the same rule apply when you're dieting? Rachel Roberts discovers the hard truth

I've found out this week what happens when you become a little too big for your boots.

I'm following the Weight Watchers diet, where all foods are given points depending on their fat and calorie content. But, I'm afraid, my confidence got the better of me this week, as I tried to guess how many points there are in different foods.

Big mistake: after a day out with a friend we decided to have a Thai meal. But, because I'd thought I would be eating dinner at home, I didn't have my points book with me. This, coupled with the fact that I hadn't eaten for seven hours, contributed to what can only be described as a spectacular diet derailment.

I started with two Thai fishcakes, two chicken satay sticks and two prawn toasts, washed down with an ice-cold beer. I followed up with half a portion of Thai green curry, half a portion of chicken and cashew nut stir-fry, and a large portion of rice. Oh yes, and another bottle of beer. Absolutely delicious.

But my enjoyment was cut short when I got home and started to calculate the points I'd just devoured. One Thai fishcake is three whole points. I told myself there must be a mistake as I frantically scoured the pages of my points counter looking for a lower figure. From there it went further downhill.

Prawn toast, two points; green curry, nine points; chicken with cashew nuts, five points. I take a deep breath and tot up the damage. A whopping 38 points. I'm allowed 22 a day.

It's a short, sharp lesson. My Weight Watchers leader Liz had warned me about the perils of guessing. And boy, did I blow it big time.

I consoled myself with the thought that I enjoyed every mouthful. There's no point beating yourself up over past misdemeanours. There are bound to be ups and downs as I try to change the eating habits of a lifetime and, anyway, who says there's anything wrong with a little indulgence now and again?

Oh, OK I may as well be honest. I did do an extra 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at my last two gym sessions in the hope of redressing the balance a little. The threat of ‘the scales of terror’ in three days time was all I needed to spur me on.

Luckily, my efforts seem to have paid off. I've got rid of another 0.5lb. Even though I'm pleased that I haven't gained any weight after my Thai feast, I am a little bit disappointed in myself. Still it has hardened my resolve to be even tougher next week.

Original start weight: 13st 7lbs

End week one weight: 13st 2½lbs

End week two weight: 13st 3½lbs

End week three weight: 12st 11½lb

End week four weight: 12st 11lb

End week five weight: 12st 10lb

End week six weight: 12st 9lb