As you all know earlier in the year a group of colleagues and I decided to launch a pounds for pounds (£'s for lb's) fundraising event in support of the Alzheimer's Society. The Alzheimer's society makes a huge difference to the lives of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Money donated to the Alzheimer's Society helps people in a variety of ways from covering the costs of the dementia help line, Research to providing vital care.

Alzheimers is an illness close to the heart of my family and I and so I jumped at the chance to make a difference to the lives of others who are challenged by this.

I set my goal as 50lb's by the end of December 2008! I did achieve this just prior to Christmas however a few mince pies and glasses of Bailey's (Sorry Joan!!) has meant that I have finished the year having lost the total of 45lbs and going down 2 dress sizes.

My personal weight loss challenge will continue in 2009 with my aim of losing another 50lbs by the summer.

My colleagues at work have also done really well and between us all we have lost in excess of 150lbs! 

If you would still like to make a donation to the Alzheimer's Society in recognition of the campaign please visit my fundraising page which is at the following address:  www.justgiving.com/lizbarnes

Thanks so much for all your support and contributions.

Kindest regards

Liz

My sister inspired me to try this diet.  She had been quite successful (beginning at the start of 2007).  We went on holiday together to Spain in August 2007 and I was totally in awe of how she had her 2 shakes in the day, drank lots of fluid and then had a meal at tea time.  I on the other hand stuffed my face – fat picture is from this holiday.  Within about 4 weeks of returning home I looked on the website in order to find out a bit more about the diet and to find a counsellor in my area. 

I have been a very successful dieter before – WW and Slimming World – but you guessed it I always put the weight back on.  My reasoning “this time” was and still remains that this was my last chance saloon diet – if this didn’t work then I wasn’t going to bother with any more with diets.
I found Joan and Sophie via the website and arranged to meet that week with Joan.  I was super anxious to begin it as I had some deadlines looming:

1. I was going to New York at the end of November and I was determined that I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable on the long flight sitting cooped up – fat bulging and seat belt hurting!
2. I was going to look great in an outfit for Christmas
3. I was going to Florida in March
4. Ultimately I wanted to lose weight to give myself the best chance of having another baby

After meeting with a very friendly Joan I ate like a horse – the last supper! 
I found the first week of my diet horrific – it was awful.  No-one can prepare you for it.
I had a fantastic first week weight loss – I was thrilled.

From then on I found the diet easy and practical – I didn’t have to think about what to have for any meals as it was all sorted.  Me and shakes became best of friends.  Fridays became very ritualistic to me – I weighed myself in the morning then compared Joan’s scales to my scales – they were usually very similar.  Joan was always welcoming and I never felt rushed during my time with her (even though her living room is a bit like a busy station on drop in nights – Mia was an added bonus whilst waiting!). 

During this time my husband graduated as a nurse (this was the reason for our trip to New York).  We held a party and I didn’t eat – I stood in the kitchen with my shake and I didn’t care.  People began to notice the weight loss – I was thrilled with all the compliments.  During those few days away in New York I ate – my poor stomach didn’t know what had hit it!  I felt super sluggish.  I was back on the diet the day after my return and by the Friday when I was weighed I had only gained 1 lb since the last time that Joan had weighed me.  I didn’t have the horrible symptoms going back on the diet and before I knew it was Christmas and the all important time to go and buy some new clothes.

The Christmas night out was great as I knew that I looked so much better!  Again I ate over Christmas and even though I wanted to go back on to the diet I found it a bit harder this time as I just wanted to carry on eating.
As I was nearing my target I began to speak to Joan about the GI Diet.  She was very supportive and gave me lots of tips about what to eat especially during my forthcoming holiday to Florida.  I reached my target on Tuesday 26th February – I jumped on and off my scales at home just to check – shouted to my husband that I had finally done it and was so happy inside. 

The following day I brought in sweets for work colleagues to share my news – the compliments I received that day and every day since have made all the yukkiness of the first week worth it.  I still do a double take when I see my reflection – I can’t believe it’s me.  I still pick up clothes (size 12 tops especially) and say to myself “that won’t fit me” – but of course when I try them on I see that they fit me perfectly.  That will take some getting used to!

I’m still daunted about eating – I weigh myself every day just to keep a handle on it.  I have begun to exercise more in the last few weeks (although I have always done ¾ hour tap dancing for the last 5 years or so) – if you’re just starting on the diet definitely start the exercise at the beginning – it should pay off at the end.
Big headed to say it but my 2 best friends and sister in law have begun the diet inspired by my weight loss – they are all doing brilliantly.  Please don’t ask about my sister – she has not fared as well…….

My next goal is Florida – I go in 3 days time.  I’m thinking about the food I will eat – and have my GI head firmly on!
Who knows about the final goal – watch this space………

Nicky, Lancashire

I lost weight with Joan & Sophie.

( Full story to come )

“I’ve tried every diet imaginable over the past few years and been unsuccessful with them all, even if I did lose weight, I always put it straight back on. But this diet has worked for me, I’ve kept all my weight off and I’m even helping other people to lose weight now which feels great AND it keeps me on my toes!”

Joan Melling, Wigan.

I lost weight in January 2007. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner! At first I wasn’t sure if I would be able to stick to meal replacements. I was so worried that I’d be starving as I love my food! But seen as my mum had done this diet I thought – why not give it a go! I found the first week hard, but also enlightening! It gave me the break from food that I needed. I realized that I didn’t need to eat all the rubbish I was eating and that I was just being greedy. The diet went on from there really, as I lost the weight I started to introduce a meal a day and then two meals and finally went on to low GI eating. I look and feel a million times better than I did before and I’ve maintained my weight for 12 months now. I still use the GI diet, (or lifestyle as I like to call it) to maintain my weight, and I think I always will do as it allows me to go out and enjoy myself yet keep the shape I worked so hard for!

Sophie, Wigan.

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