I have started on my healthy eating drive once more, I had really let things slip since the start of the year (snacking and not exercising) and so have piled on far too much weight.

I have been battling with weight gain since I stopped smoking last April (19th April 2005 was the day I smoked my last cigarette!).

I always find it really tough to find the energy or motivation to exercise when it’s cold, wet and dark outside but now the sun is shining I have a renewed thirst for exercise and Weight Watchers.

I calculate my WW points based on the UK system which is slightly different from the US and Europe system. (I know it’s daft but I have a subscription).

To complicate things Co-Op here in Switzerland now have a WW range (I don’t eat the ready meals but use the cheese, yogurt, drinks and the occasional biscuit) and I think the points here are calculated using the US system but I couldn’t say for sure…….

Confused??? Head spinning???? Tell me about it…….

I managed to shed 10kg last year in about 3 months and I’m hoping to repeat the process again and keep it off this time.

Here is the mantra I’m hoping to follow:

• I will ignore the difference between the Swiss and UK WW systems and if something here has 1 point quoted then that is what I accept.
• I will try to eat sensibly, watching my portion size (when it comes to pasta this is a pitfall for me since even a large portion is only 100g!).
• I will try and exercise regularly (cycle for a minimum of 30 minutes, a minimum of 3 times per week), this is what really made the difference for me.
• No red wine (for the moment).
• Drink more water (I already drink a lot of mineral water but I must drink more).
• Keep to eating 1-2 pieces of fruit with a low fat yogurt for breakfast each morning.

Here’s hoping the inches will start falling off….