Diary of a dieter - week ten

Rather appropriately, this week Rachel Roberts celebrates losing one-tenth of her body weight

I’ve dropped another size this week. But not a dress size, mind you – a shoe size. According to Liz, my slimming class leader, this isn’t as bizarre as it sounds. She says some people who lose a lot of weight have to get new glasses because the shape of their face changes so drastically.

Mind you, my weigh-in this week confirmed that there is officially one tenth less of me, so I suppose it makes sense that my feet are smaller now too. It’s hard to believe that, just 10 short weeks ago, I watched enviously as another Weight Watcher was presented with the famed key ring members receive when they’ve lost ten per cent of their body weight. I had a whopping 19lb to lose to get mine.

But it’s happened! After weeks of watching others bask in the glory of their achievements, it was my moment to shine. I played the scene over and over in my mind: I’d smile proudly as I shared the secrets of my success with fellow Weight Watchers, before making a witty comment about it being worth the wait – no pun intended of course.

So what happened when it was my time to speak in front of the crowd? Naturally, I froze – I was standing up in front of 40 expectant faces. I suddenly felt very embarrassed. What could I really tell them that they didn’t already know? We all realise it’s tough to lose weight. The method may sound simple – eat less and exercise more – but it takes real determination to stick to this kind of a regime and believe you can do it. I am proud of my achievement, but every other person battling the bulge deserves recognition too. I stumbled over my words but managed to say it had been a long struggle and that I was happy with what I’d achieved so far. Then I sat down promptly.

After losing 10 per cent of your body weight, you then have to decide what your final weight loss goal will be. When I first started this plan, I thought 11 ½ stone would be realistic, but after discussing it with Liz, I’ve decided to go for 11 stone. Of course, this may change as I go along, but I feel confident I will reach my goal. Her positive attitude is highly infectious and I have no doubt I’m going to make it.

However, if my behaviour the last two days is anything to go by, I may encounter some obstacles in reaching my goal. After several glasses of wine with a friend, my mind narrowed into tunnel vision – I had to have a big bag of chips smothered in salt, vinegar and tomato sauce.

I jumped in a cab and gave the driver directions before asking him to put his foot down, so we could get to the chippie before it closed. But, despite running [through] a couple of red lights and causing several cases of road rage, the chip shop had just shut, by the time we arrived. The oven chips I had instead were small compensation but, at least, I stayed on the straight and narrow. Reluctantly. Oh well, there’s always next week, right?

Original start weight: 13st 7lbsr
End week one weight: 13st 2½lb
End week two weight: 13st 3½lbs
End week three weight: 12st 11½lbs
End week four weight: 12st 11lbs
End week five weight: 12st 10lbs
End week six weight: 12st 9lbs
End week seven weight: 12st 7½lbs
End week eight weight: 12st 6lbs
End week nine weight: 12st 3½lbs
End week ten weight: 12st 1½lbs