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 47:The chocolate mountain It happened. I was off chocolate for six weeks, and then my Catholic guilt got the heave ho. Nobody blinked an eyelid when I bit into rabbit ears, or planned to maul my way through an Easter egg for breakfast. With my original resolution being to treat myself to an Easter manicure, I tried lying to myself that I no longer wanted that sweet, sugar treat. I lasted until the morning sun caught the gold Lindt bunny wrapper and I knew I was doomed. What started off with the best intention soon led to going for a few drinks. Sure it’s the bank holiday – there’s no work in the morning. At least that was the line I told myself falling into bed on Sunday night. I then convinced myself that two long walks would undo eating three course meals, sampling cocktails and downing a few vodkas. Sure hadn’t I been dancing away the night before? That had to count for some exercise? (The fact that it had led to tequila shots is probably not helping the situation)… Starting into the week, I told myself Tuesday was a new day. The health kick would be continuing and I would definitely, 100% be a virtue of greens, clean eating and juicing breakfasts. The first day started out great too, with eggs for starters, salad for lunch and fish and steamed veg for dinner… What I didn’t expect on day two was that my monthlies would come to town. Queue the cramps, self-pity and the sudden desire to eat anything fast food, greasy and sugar-filled. It felt like I was being sabotaged from every angle. With energy levels dipping to an all-time low, the only thing for it was a Netflix binge and buckets of tea. Ironically I started watching a series of weight loss shows, and documentaries about why you shouldn’t eat fast food. It was my mind’s way of saying “we’re onto you, and yes, you really should know better”. Finishing up another repeat of “A Year To Save My Life” – spoiler: you will cry – a LOT – I decided I needed to pull myself off the couch. So instead I went for a long walk and grabbed my roommate for chats along the way. It didn’t feel like such a chore when you could catch up on your gossip first. Then I took out my copybook, a ruler and pencil, and drew up a food plan to see me through the rest of the week. Nerdy? Yes. Effective? Absolutely. Stepping onto the scales, I wasn’t sure if I’d pull a Hunger Games. The odds were never really in my favour but I had to hope, right? Thankfully, there were no signs of tears, or need to pull out all the stops. I was down half a pound. Is it a dramatic loss? No. But it’s a start… and after the week I had, it was proof that you can stop yourself from being your worst enemy. (In case you’re wondering, the rest of the Lindt bunny is now hiding out on the back of my freezer). Height: 5ft 8 Starting Weight: 174 lbs Current Weight: 160.5 lbs Weight Loss To Date: 15 lb Goal: 148 lbs Feeling: Happy with progress The Dress In Question.. NOW FITS!