Friday means "Weigh Day" and a more realistic loss in the last seven days of 3lbs making a running total loss since Valentine's Day of 15lbs.

That's the first stone gone, and the hard work begins to get the other two off, and keep the momentum going.

Again this week I would say its about changing habits. Eating more of the good things and less of the rubbish. I have allowed myself a couple of glasses of wine this week (well three actually!!) and last night I ate chips, in a meal out. With no starter or pudding and a reasonably healthy main course, it seemed realistic.

As is a normal part of my work, I attend a lot of meetings that offer buffet lunches, coffee and biscuits or cakes, and again this week all have been resisted. Even that little tub of sweets they annoyingly put in hotels on the conference table was overlooked.

The timetable this week hasn't allowed for walking to work, or any other real exercise, so that will have to be addressed in the coming weeks if the momentum is being kept up.

I've started to notice a few changes, like belts needing extra notches to keep my trousers up, and shirts not bulging as much as they used to, so that must be a good thing.

A new challenge this weekend as I lead a residential training course, where traditionally, a fair amount of wine has been consumed, cheese suppers last well into the night, with an healthy over-indulgence in pringles almost guaranteed in the past. Last night I found myself in Tescos buying a box of grapes and a bunch of bananas (and a couple of bottles of wine!!) and although it seemed strange, it felt strangely gratifying.

With a good chef cooking this weekend, I can't guarantee abstinence from all things good, but the lent denial of cheese and chocolate has kept going, and with the first target achieved two weeks ahead of schedule, I need to keep focused.

Congratulations to those people who are secretly following my progress, both of whom reported losses last week - lets keep this going together, and then arrange a meal out in the summer to celebrate maybe!