I crept up to the bathroom scales hoping to catch it unawares. I gently placed a foot on the pad as lightly as possible. Then the other foot...... thinking light and breathing out.......the electronic numbers did their little dance upwards through the numbers like a train indicator board announcing the next train to Nether Wallop........... it setttles and flashes the determined number and will not be moved..... could it be?..... it might be? ....IT IS!

17 Stone 3lb

A magical number, an important number, a number to savour. I have lost:............
TWO STONES!

In Britain we think in stones, we trust stones, we embrace stones. Kilos are a poor imitation that will never catch on in our heads even though we have to buy vegetables in the wretched things.

TWO STONES!

It is worth repeating. 28 pounds just does not cut the mustard. If some one says they are 200lbs. There is not that mental image of size or proportion. There is not the drama of a stone. We know instinctively what a ten stone weakling man looks like. We know he will get sand kicked in his face.

In three months I have lost ...

TWO STONES!

In 92 days I have lost ....

TWO STONES!

Sticks and stones will break my bones....

Here are two that are banished. Finished. Evaporated. They are no more.

Call me names if you like but they cannot hurt me either.