For anyone who has followed me on social media in the past - you will have regularly been subjected to my blogging and self critisising when on the latest fad diet ... needless to say, as much as it amuses most people and gives me great satisfaction in writing about the latest cabbage diet/milkshake diet/see food and eat it diet ... Im still here - at pretty much the same weight I was when I first started (years ago!)

So, this challenge is my ultimate and I'm confident to say,  final weight loss challenge. The Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted are putting myself and 19 others through our paces to race to be "The Biggest Loser" for this wonderful fundraising charity event lasting from January 5th 2012 for 18 weeks. I will be put through 3 training sessions a week, a healthy eating regime and weighed every week as I compete to loose the most weight.

My motivation? Iv battled my whole life with my weight and my love of food, and hate of exercise means that the weight has gone on ... and on ... and on and needless to say, ON! Obesity is an issue that runs through my family and I have lost generations of family through obesity related health issues and diseases - and I want to beat that cycle and change my life for the better. I have the added motivation that my best friend is getting married in May 2012 ... and I'v ordered my dress 2 sizes too small for me. If anything, please donate and support me to save my friendship! If I dont fit into that dress ... Im going to be in big trouble.

My final, and most inspiring motivation comes from the reason I am doing this challenge in the first place - fundraising for the Hospice of St Francis. Over the years the Hospice has done amazing work supporting patients and families and continuing to raise funds means that they can continue to go on to support many more. I have only lived in Hemel Hempstead for 5 years, and already I know a handful of people just through my small circle who have been touched in one way or another by the hospice - so please, dig deep and donate even just a few pounds (while I loose a lot more than a few!) to help us reach our fundraising target.

I will be keeping this page updated with my gruelling training sessions and weekly weigh-ins so you can keep up to date with how Im doing and see that the fundraising has all been worthwhile! This picture to the left is my "before" photo ... watch this space for an "after" one

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity

Thank you all for your continuing support and donations

Tina