That must have been a lot of wine and port

Well done on your weight loss this week Lorchan. Unfortunately DH has not been doing at all well on his weight loss since he stopped taking the antibiotics after his op. and he is stuck on a plateau himself. As for myself, we had friends around on Sat. night for supper and the resulting extra wine & port saw me putting 3lbs back on

Yes a lot smaller than in the states but it varies where you are dining. Generally you can find healthy options when eating out, it's just getting yourself into a mindset where you choose them

My husband cooks for us at present and his portions are definately not small but he does keep it low fat which is good. I told him tonight I'm going to have a container by me at each meal and put half in it for lunch next day

Unfortunately portion sizes here in Ireland have increased a lot in the past 10 years, along with all of our waistbands! Childhood obesity is becoming a major problem here in Europe. I don't think the Celtic Tiger helped - too much expendable cash. We were thinner when we were poorer. Maybe we are headed that way again? Enjoy your birthday dinner Terrie and good luck from tomorrow. You too Wendy. And Lorchen, congratulations, you are blazing the trail.

The meals served in restaurants are SO BIG! Usually my DH and I can share a main dish and we're just fine. And, I find in the US, the portions are even bigger. How do you find them in the UK or EU? I found Switz. had small(er) servings, but notice also that most Swiss are active and healthy later in life than many North Americans. I guess it depends on the culture. Some people welcome other by feeding them, and it's not 'polite' if you don't eat.

Wow Lorchen! That's really impressive. Good for you!!

Okay, I'm going out now for my BD dinner and going to enjoy myself - except probably no wine, due to headaches. So, by writing this, it is official: I'm on the wagon with Lorchen (starting tomorrow). And if she can do it, so can I.

Well done Lorchen. My journey starts tonight, I have been reading the heart foundation literature on changes to make to become healthy. So it's small steps for me and gradual changes. I hope I do as well as you.

Ooops! I got so excited about the possibility of borrowing Rosemary's husband that I forgot to report that I got weighed tonight and lost another 3 pounds.

So, Rosemary, if I hit a plateau I can shout 'Help', and you'll send your delightful husband to sort me out, right?!

Lorchan - thanks for that link, I hadn't actually found it before now She has so much good stuff, it is hard to get around to it all (just like this site ) I hear what you are saying about needing the support of going to the meetings. I get mine from DH (who in some respects is much keener on it than I am) and also from the forum (when I can spare the time from you guys here )

Rita & everyone else not in the UK, sorry about the bbc iplayer link not working for you, I wasn't sure if it would work or not.

Rosemary, we can't use BBC iPlayer outside of the UK, sadly.

Rosemary, you forgot this link: http://www.zoeharcombe.com/the-knowledge/20-diet-myths-busted/

"Weight gain and loss depends on what we eat, what we eat with what and how often we eat."..... Very interesting, Rosemary. Sounds like exactly the same principles that Slimming World ( http://www.slimmingworld.com ) has been working with for years here in the UK (I think they are also in the US these days). From my point of view, it's the support you get that makes or breaks any effort. I couldn't do it in splendid isolation.