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Once upon a time, about ten years ago, I was in the shape of my life. At sixteen, I was 11 stone, national javelin champion, and Newbury Athletics Club Champion in ten different track and field events. Then, sixth form began and the athletics stopped - the fitness dropped, and the pounds increased. By the end of sixth form, I nearly resembled Britain's number 1 shot putter - I had gained roughly five stone.

When I went to University, two stones of that weight dropped, and I maintained 15 stone throughout my three years. I then gained that two stones back, followed by another 2 stone as of the end of 2006. I looked at the scale and was shattered by the 19 stone mark I had hit! Something drastic needed to be done. I could not possibly stay at this weight.

My initial plan consisted of going to the gym every day and hitting the road for a run every other night. The weight dropped off, as you'd imagine. I lost 7 pounds the first week, and then 5 pounds the following week. So I had nearly lost a stone instantly. Then I burned out and did no exercise. The weight started to come on slowly. I decided I needed a weight loss strategy that was much easier to maintain. Hence in August of 2007, I joined Weight Watchers.

Background
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We ight Watchers began 40 years ago, operates internationally and is presently one of the best and most well known slimming clubs in the world. The aim of Weight Watchers is to get you to your goal weight for your height. In the UK, there are 6000 meetings - all of which are designed to assist you in pro-actively losing weight.

Weight Watchers consists of two main eating plans in order to achieve your goal. These are the 'Points plan' and the 'Core plan'.

The Points plan is very simple - it basically allows you to eat whatever you want as long as you stay within a points allowance for the day. A booklet you are given in your first meeting allows you to calculate your own personal daily points allowance. Also in your first meeting you are given a basic points sliding calculator which is used to find out the points value of each food stuff you would like to eat.

The Core plan is a diet where you are given a list of foods that you permitted to eat, which include fruits, vegetables, lean meats, chicken, eggs and dairy products. You are allowed to eat three meals, which include only those components from the list until you are "comfortably full", and allowed to snack only on fruit and vegetables in "controlled amounts". This diet can be viewed upon

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