The Plan
As the experts say weight loss has to be a combination of making the right food choices and exercising. I know this is very true for me as I have tried just exercising and I have tried dieting only and neither has been successful so it's only when I combine to two that I will succed.
Thing is that I love food so I always knew that I couldn't just deprive myself. I have to find low fat foods and plenty of them to replace the foods that I tend to eat when I'm tense, bored, depressed, etc.
My plan is also about changing habits. I'm a bit lazy at times so I've got to talk myself into walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift, etc.
My company gives us a daily allowance to use in the restaurant which is both a blessing and a curse as I save money on buying food but where I would normally bring food to work when dieting I will continue to eat in the restaurant. Luckily there is an extensive salad bar with baked potatoes and fruit salad so there are plenty of good choices - I just have to make them. :-)
I will do some exercise every day, either an exercise video or visit the gym. As the weather warms up I will add walking and swimming to that plan. As I lose weight I'd like to start running. My long term exercise goal is to participate in a triathalon.
I do drink a lot more water these days than I used to but I've decided one of my new years resolutions is to replace all of my soft drinks and hot chocolates with water/sparkling water or herbal tea. Apparently drinking Green Tea speeds up the metabolism - I like that idea, and anyway, I also like the taste of Green Tea.
Update... I have found a terrific website called Weight Loss Resources which is a UK focused nutritional website which includes food and exercise diaries, nutritional values for most of the foods you will find in UK supermarkets, lots of good advice and a message board. I'm going to use this site to record all my eating and exercise because I know it will keep me honest and I can update it at work and at home.