Hey everyone,

I've been attempting to get fit and healthy for the past four years but each time I set out on a new regime (I don't follow fad diets) I either do really well for a month, or I can't even make it to the second day. I'm stuck in this maddening cycle of temporary success and abject failure and still haven't managed to shift a single pound. In reality, I don't have a massive amount of weight to lose. In comparison, my sister (who's 37), is in the process of losing her baby weight to get back down to a size 14/16 from being a size 20 - and so far she's managed to lose nearly 10lbs, and we're all really pleased for her. She's got such a positive attitude and she just gets on with it, whereas I talk/whinge so much about it and never get anything done.

I know exactly what my goals are: I want to lose 2.5 stone, I want to fit into UK size 10 clothes (maybe even 8 - fingers crossed), I want to boost my confidence, and I want to knock the socks off my classmates when I go back to Uni! Or, at least get a second glance. So I'm not entirely without focus, but I quickly become disillusioned with my goals, feel like I'll never get anywhere, then resort back to comfort eating and self sabotage.

If anyone else has ever felt like this, how did you get past the cycle of negativity to make real change to your life?

xx

Well, first of all I would recommend forgetting about your classmates. You should definitely be doing this for YOU. Motivations like pleasing other people come and go and aren't really reliable...at least in my experience.

Perhaps you can assess why it is you are failing, like you say. Are you getting bored with the foods, or perhaps find yourself lacking time to prepare them? Is it exercise that's your downfall? I think you should make a list of all the reasons why you quit and find a way to solve those problems.

Good luck!