Meet one amazing iVillager from our You Can Do It message board, and follow her ups and downs as she struggles to lose six stone

Saturday 3rd March, 2001
Well, I’ve munched my way through a bag of sweets and I feel at a loss. Last year I lost six stone through eating the right things and walking everyday. I started at just over 23 stone, and got down to 16 stone, 11 pounds at my all-time low on 19th December. I felt good, looked good and the compliments I got were wonderful. But, over Christmas, I made the mistake of thinking I could take a break from dieting. Sadly, it’s been downhill since then, and my eating is out of control. I’ve put almost two stone back on and just can’t get motivated again. Help! Tell me I can do it! I need someone to give me support or a kick up the backside.

Sunday 4th March, 2001
After posting my message yesterday and realising there are others out there like me, I’ve decided I’m going for it. I know that I have to eat sensibly, walk regularly and keep telling myself I can do it. I woke up this morning in a new frame of mind. No more munching on rubbish and comfort eating. I've told my husband to keep an eye on me and help me along. I’m going to step on those scales tomorrow and see how much damage these last few months of pigging out have done. I’m not going to get upset, as I need to know what I’m up against. I’m going to use this board as a backbone, and am going to log in every day and tell everyone how it’s going. Anyone who wants to join me is welcome. The more feedback the better.

Monday 5th March, 2001
I said I’d go and weigh myself today, get the bad news and report back in, so here goes: 18 stone, 3 pounds. Not as bad as I expected – I have to remember that this time last year, I was 23 stone, 2 pounds. I know I was well below this just before Christmas, but now I realise what I have to do and it’s not down to anyone else to help. I have to do it for me.

I walked into town this morning, which wasn’t too bad, but walking home was a killer. I blame my shoes. I will have to get my trainers out again. I’ve been really good today and stayed off the junk. I went out with my friend to look for wallpaper, and as much as I tried to convince myself I needed a McDonalds to help me make the right choice, I didn’t indulge. I’m the type of person who has an all-or-nothing attitude so I can’t allow myself even one biscuit as a treat because I know I won’t stop at that. So, as of today, no chips, no cheese, no bread (my downfall!) and no chocolate. It won’t be easy.

Tuesday 6th March, 2001
Another positive day – no attack of the munchies and I feel good. I’ve been out for two walks, both just over an hour long. Music is the key, so I’ve got my son’s mp3 player to keep me company. I dug out my trainers today so my feet are better, but I felt miserable on the second walk. About halfway through, I realised I didn’t want to be there, and it didn’t help that someone in a van drove through a puddle and completely splashed me. But, now the walking is over for another day, I’m actually looking forward to it tomorrow.

Wednesday 7th March, 2001
I woke up really early today, got the kids off to school and was out walking by 8 am. I really fancied a couple of slices of hot buttered toast when I got in, but I went for cornflakes instead.

I looked in the TV guide and noticed Australian-style aerobics was on Sky, so I thought I’d have a look. There is something seriously wrong with those women who claim they love exercising like that! I was still lifting my leg up when they were already onto the next bit, so I just did my own thing and leapt around like a mad woman. The slapping noises were a bit off-putting, but you could hardly hear them over me gasping for breath. I did hear the neighbours mention something about an earth tremor in the afternoon, but I said nothing. Later, I had to do a few things in town but took the car since at least it kept me busy. It’s times when I have nothing to do that I munch. Lunch was good – I had a salad.

Today I got the hubby to come with me for my second walk. But, the thing that made my day was, after my dinner of fish and veg, I had my daily treat – one of those Sara Lee Secret Bites frozen cheesecakes. I had no problem eating the first and was craving a second, but the hubby stepped in, took temptation out of my hands and scoffed the last one. However, when he bit into it he broke one of his capped teeth, so he has to go to the dentist tomorrow. I shouldn’t laugh, but it was funny at the time. He’s lisping around the house saying he’ll never help me out again.

Thursday 8th March, 2001
All is going well and I feel great. I roped in my friend for a 90-minute walk today to our local park, up the hills, around the lake three times, and back. We lapped a couple of old people, which made us feel really good.

On my second walk of the day I bumped into one of the women I used to see at the gym last year when I joined for my month of madness. She was rattling on about having put on three pounds and how she could feel it – yeah right. She went on to give me advice on what to eat. Don’t you just hate people like that? I know what I should eat – it just tastes better in a sandwich with chips or covered in chocolate. Anyway, I just had my healthy dinner of turkey breast and various veggies, all baked in foil in the oven with a home-made tomato and herb sauce. Lovely!

Saturday 10th March, 2001
Things are going well now that I’ve got it in my head that I’ve got to stick to my regime. I’ve been out for one of my walks this morning, which is the key - cutting back on food alone won’t do it. I have to get out there and move. People are getting used to seeing me out now and they beep and give a wave as they drive by.

I’m out tonight and intend to have a drink as normal. There’s no need to deprive myself. I know it’s only been a week and I haven’t actually weighed-in yet, but the difference in my attitude is very apparent. I walk tall and feel proud because I know I’m in control. I can’t wait to weigh-in on Monday because I know it’s going to be good. I feel posting on this board is helping as I can put my feelings down.

Sunday 11th March, 2001
It’s late afternoon and I still feel like I’m dying. I had my night out last night, and didn’t get home until after 4 am, but I had a brilliant time.

I didn’t give in to the munchies much while out. The pub had a birthday party going on so there were loads of goodies around, and I did have a few sandwiches but resisted the more fatty stuff. By 4 in the morning I must have danced them off.

I had my dinner but didn’t have the roasts or the Yorkshire pudding, then had an attack of guilt for not walking, so I went out for almost two hours. It did me the world of good and I’m already getting itchy feet to go out again. It really does get addictive! I’ve programmed myself to walk and I know I have to do it, so I have to make the time, even if it means having to get up early to fit it in.

I have my weigh-in tomorrow and am a little scared. I believe I have lost weight but am nervous to find out how much. It would be great to be 17 stone or so but that would mean a loss of four pounds in one week, which is a lot.

Going to phone up about a belly dancing class tomorrow. I love the thought of it. I think my hubby is expecting the dance of the seven veils by early next week. I measured all my bits today as well – 48-40-54 – nearly an hourglass figure, just a big one. I found my starting diary from last year as well and there’s a big difference. Then, I was 56-47-66. I’m a bit worried that my bust seems to be going more than my waist, but I’m sure it will all even out.

Monday 12th March, 2001
I walked into town today for my first weigh-in after a week of cutting back and walking and I’m happy with the outcome. I lost four pounds, so I’m now 17 stone, 13 pounds – Yippeeeeeee! So, I went and got myself a treat – some new nail varnish – and I feel good.

How did the rest of you do – those that said you'd join me? We can do it! Come on, it’s up to each of us and we’re not going to let each other down.

Tuesday 13th March, 2001
I had a very hard time getting myself to pull on my trainers today, as it’s cold and rainy. I still went though. And do you know what urged me on? The thought of coming to the board and telling everyone I hadn’t been for both my walks today. I couldn’t face that, so thank you all so much for posting messages. You'll never know what it means and what a boost it is when you’re feeling less than 100%.

I had my first chocolate craving today. What I would have done for even a small chocolate bar…but I made myself a low-fat chocolate drink instead. I know there aren’t many calories in those tiny bars but, as I’ve said before, it’s either all or nothing, so one bar would have led to more. Now the craving has gone so I know I did the right thing.

Anyway, time to get my second walk in of the day. At least it’s stopped raining.

Wednesday 14th March, 2001
Hi all. Today I had a bad case of comfort eating after I had a big argument with the hubby and stormed out the house. I felt so guilty after eating all that junk. It didn’t even taste that good, but that’s half my problem – stress eating. I’m back home now and things are still strained but I’m resisting doing any more damage. I’ll just class it as my first bad day and try to learn from it.

Plan on getting up very early tomorrow and squeezing in some extra walking time. Hope the rest of you have done OK.

Thursday 15th March, 2001
Hiya. Read your messages yesterday about my slip and I don’t feel half as bad. I got out there and did some extra walking so that’s a plus.

Talking to my friend this morning on the phone, I've agreed to do something mad – go swimming with her a week next Friday. Now, for one, I can’t actually swim. And secondly, I don’t own a cossie, so it’s a trip down to Evans on Monday I think. God knows how I’m going to look with my baggy and stretch-marked thighs – they are a real embarrassment to me. I really don’t know anyone who has them quite so bad. The rest of the body, I don’t mind though.

Sunday 18th March, 2001
I had two busy days and I missed posting, so I’m doing it today instead. I only got one walk in yesterday as it was so cold and snowing. I slipped a bit on the diet and went for the junk, so I’m not looking forward to my weigh-in tomorrow.

Still trying to get stress-free, as that’s what knocks me every time and makes me reach for the bread and sandwiches. But I think the hubby will have to go before I’m free of that! I’m going to drag myself out in the snow for a walk now, and I’m not looking forward to it one bit, but I know it has to be done.

Thursday 5th April, 2001
Hiya all. I came on to check my mail today and was stunned to have heard from so many of you at my e-mail address. It was such a pick-me-up that I decided it was time to come back in here and see what’s been going on.

I haven’t even had the nerve to weigh-in the last two weeks because I know it’s going to be bad and I don’t want to see that. I also feel a real let-down to you all. My friend has promised to get me out starting Monday whether I like it or not, and I think that’s what I need.

I’m so glad you all remember me. I’m going to try and log in every day, because it’s a wonderful feeling to know people out there do care, even if we don’t really know each other. Thank you so much. I'll be back tomorrow.

Wednesday 11th April, 2001
Hi all. I’ve just been out for my first walk of the day, the sun is shining and I feel good. I’m still struggling a bit and giving in to the odd comfort food but things are getting better. I went to the doctor yesterday and the nurse made me feel so good as she’s not seen me for three years. Her jaw nearly hit the floor when I walked in – she couldn’t get over that I’d lost six stone and look so different since she last saw me. It just goes to show that even if we think we don’t look any different, we do to others. It gave me a real boost.

The way I lost that weight was through sheer determination. I’ve never been classed as anything other than obese or morbidly obese – aren’t those awful words? But I did it on my own, without diet clubs or faddy diets. I just thought about what I ate and only ate when I was hungry, not when it was a mealtime for the rest of the family or when I was just fancying food – and it worked.

The foods I went for were cereal, fruit, fish, vegetables and salad. My downfall is bread, so that had to go completely. Walking was another major key. I did loads every day, even if I didn’t feel like it. I thought of it this way – I walked for 40 minutes, which sounds like a lot, but it’s only 20 minutes walking out and 20 walking home. It works, I promise you, and this board is fantastic as a boost when you’re feeling down.

To follow Gloria’s progress and see how other iVillagers are doing on their quest for health, visit the You Can Do It message board. Take a look at some of the live discussions happening right now on the board: