In a new weekly feature, Her.ie newbie Liz is going to share her weight loss journey. She’ll be filling you in on fighting temptation, her willpower struggles with the cocktail menu and taking painfully slow steps towards regular exercise. All in the name of a dress. _____________________________________ Hanging on the wall at the end of my bed is the constant reminder I plan on shedding nearly two stone this year. I also plan on marking the trials and tribulations of ‘trying to be good’ – the favourite saying we all tout, and quickly replace when a cake is put in front of us. Week 55: Here’s to an apple a day… When you’re a kid you’re taught all the basics of a healthy, clean-eating diet. There’s a food pyramid, you know treats are in moderation and unfortunately cheese is not its own food group. In all honesty, it’s not that hard a plan to follow. When it comes to summertime, people feel pressure to have the ‘perfect’ bikini body. Regardless of height, bone structure, curves or genetics, most media campaigns encourage you to look like a pin-up model with a washboard stomach and long, lean limbs. The fact is, I’ve never had this shape. I never will have this shape. To look like this I’d need to stop eating. Full stop. That would NEVER happen. I’m tired of being told what the ideal shape of a woman is… Truth is, I know NOBODY, even those with this figure, who thinks their body beats all. I’m not saying I don’t know any confident women, but I don’t know any woman who doesn’t have some small niggly bit about themselves they wouldn’t mind slightly moulding. For me, I’d love a lean tummy and if I’m honest smaller boobs. Mine get in the way of everything. And for those who fail to see this as a problem, say goodbye to cute halterneck tops, sun dresses, buying underwear cheaper than €40 or getting swimwear from a department store. That’s just not happening. Having been an avid member of the weight loss brigade from the early days, it’s fair to say I’ve tried a LOT of diets. Tricks, tips and exercises have all been passed to me by friends who swear the best results and yet, I’m still here, relatively the same as I was before. Just probably a little more disillusioned. So instead I’m sticking to what my mother told me. ‘Cause let’s face it, we all know a mammy knows best. I'm going to eat the right portions, on a smaller plate, loading up my vegetables and protein to keep me fuller for longer. I've also decided to ditch the scales for the month. I don't want to know what I weigh, or how many pounds until I reach a stone. I want to feel good in my clothes, and that means curves and all. A few love handles will be allowed sit on the hips, once they're not causing too much hassle. So I’ve bought three bikinis and I want to feel confident strutting myself in the two minute walk from the changing room to the pool. I’m also ditching the sugar for the week to give my ‘diet plan’ a kick start. I’ll report back (with hopefully a loss in inches) in two weeks. Next week I’m combining my eating with exercise, and well let’s give this new lifestyle a chance to impress before we wheel out the (inches) numbers.