The first step

For the past years, ten to be exact, I have battled with my weight. I've eaten cabbage soup until I turned green, I've fasted, detoxed, Slimfasted, GI-ed; you name it I've done. The results have been amazing - I've managed to yo-yo my way up to an impressive **stone.

Sharing memories and photos at a recent party revealed just how much I have gained and I was shocked and if I'm honest more than a little depressed. Four days later and a little bit of hunting on the tinternet saw me ordering a new diet plan.

Stop sniggering - this one is going to work. My problem, like a lot of other working mums, is time. This plan prepares all the food for you, boxes it up and ships it out. All you do is add the fresh fruit and veg, a little bit of milk for teas, coffees and cereals. I even managed to persuade DH to join me!

On Friday the boxes of food arrived and I spent two hours sorting through the two plans, checking contents, labelling boxes and getting excited. On Saturday I began with determination - treacle and pecan granola for breakfast, butternut squash soup with croutons for lunch and tikka masala and green beans for dinner. It was all yummy and for the most part I felt full. I had a little chocolate craving in the evning which wasn't satisfied by the chocolate chip oat biscuits and I have to admit to licking a spoonful of Nutella before bed!

Imagine my delight when I jumped on the scales this morning and discovered that I had shed 3lbs in 24 hours. If the weight loss continues at this rate I won't need the whole box!

Today's food was just as delicious - vanilla and banana porridge for breakfast, chicken and thyme soup with croutons for lunch and sausage casserole with jacket potato and broccoli for dinner. To round off a successful weekend of dieting - it's 10.20 now and there's no sign of the chocolate munchies!