So, how did I end up so overweight? Until the mid-80s, I never really paid any attention to what I ate or drank as neither seemed to affect me. I'd say it was about then that my metabolism changed and I also started full-time work which meant that I could afford food AND drink. Add to this a long-term relationship with a partner whose response to any crisis was to feed people and there it began.

Why do I want to change? Well there hasn't been any kind of epiphany. I've just gradually become less able to hide from what I am doing to myself and from the effects it has on my family.

So I have started to tweak my lifestyle into a better shape this summer (2010).

I began to walk to work in July. By September, I was just breathing harder as I walked uphill rather than being exhausted. Next, I started to cycle and walk a short route twice a week. By the end of October, I didn't have to stop for a rest on the cycle ride.

In November, I started to jog a little as well and by March 2011 I completed a half-marathon. September saw me complete a marathon and in March 2012 I ran a 50 mile Trail finishing at the Eiffel Tower.

I'm moving into a weight maintenance phase now. Slow, incremental weight loss is a nice-to-have but it's not my main focus. Eating right, exercising regularly and enjoying time with my family are the sustainable benefits I have achieved and I really want to hold onto them now.

Progress updates:

31 Dec 2010 Weight lost: 15.5kg Jogged a full 5 miles for the first time. Non-stop.

16 Jan 2011 Weight lost: 18.5kg Jogged 9 miles non-stop.

6 Mar 2011 Weight lost: 25kg Ran a half-marathon.

9 Sep 2011 Weight lost: 36kg Ran a marathon.

24 Mar 2012 Weight lost: 40kg Finished an 80km (50 mile) trail run.