Shape Up and shape down

Anyhow, I'm 10 weeks along now and I've lost two stone. This morning's weight was 13stone, 2lbs. My waist is now 36 inches - that's a massive seven inches lost. My hips have gone from 53 to 46 inches - another seven gone. Before the Challenge, I was wearing (and filling) elasticated size 20 trousers. To be quite honest, I was probably a size 24, but because of stretchy waistbands, I could get away with wearing a size 20. Now I'm nearly a size 18, my trousers are loose and my jeans are discarded as they're too big. The 'shelf' has gone from the top of my bum - I swear you could have balanced a coffee cup on it before. Three months ago, I looked like I had a couple of pit bull terriers fighting down the back of my trousers when I walked, along with a pair of fighting ferrets down my bra if I ran. My weight is mostly concentrated around my torso, upper arms and thighs - I've got slightly smaller 'bingo wings' (the flabby bits on the bottom of your upper arms), but I'm working on those. I do however have gorgeous size 10 ankles.

I can walk up the stairs to bed at night without standing outside the bedroom door trying to get my breathing under control, for fear of waking hubby. I've bought an elliptical trainer and spend evenings on it while watching television - my legs don't even wobble anymore when I get off.

The best thing about the Challenge is that you can read everything that's suggested but you don't have to stick to it rigidly. If you find something that works for you, then that's what you go with. I have tried things like meal replacements, tablets, fad diets - and they've all been a complete waste of time and money. The one thing that pulls me through day by day, week by week, is the board. The love, support and encouragement there is unbelievable. The nice thing about it, is that no matter what time of the day or night, if you post a message, there will always be someone around to give you a 'hug'. Or answer questions - even taboo ones, like why I'm getting huge spots in odd places like on my foot.