SNJ editor Sue Smith is getting into shape for an adventurous holiday.

I’M STARTING to make some amazing progress because of a radical change in diet and weekly personal training with Matt Collins at Fifth Dimension Health Club.

I’ve lost almost half a stone by cutting out dairy, gluten, sugar, caffeine and alcohol – and by stepping up the exercise.

As the mornings get darker, I am not sure how eager I will be to get to my early morning sessions with Matt but, like with everything, once I am there I love it and am bursting with energy afterwards.

I start the days with an Arbonne protein shake with spinach, almonds and loads of blackberries, of which there is a glut in my garden.

The rest of the day is a menu of salad with chicken for lunch and fish and vegetables for dinner and I can honestly say, I haven’t been at all hungry.

The Couch to 5K app on my phone allows me, when I am not seeing Matt, to do what I have discovered is the perfect 25 minute circuit from my house and back before breakfast.

I am also managing 90 lengths in the pool twice a week and my energy levels are starting to rocket.

It’s such a good feeling to feel healthy again and it begs the question – why do we allow the pounds to pile on to such an extent?

Every time the needle on the scales descends a little bit more I become more determined that, when I reach my goal, I won’t allow myself to waiver by more than a couple of pounds again.

If only we could bottle that feeling.