Helen Wilman is losing weight to look and feel better.

At only 21 she was feeling tired, caught up in a familiar lifestyle of fast food and nights in the pub. Well, all that has now changed, thanks to Helen's steely determination and resolve to change her lifestyle (oh, and a big push from Looking Good as I report on her each month!)

"Doing if for charity (Breast Cancer Campaign) has helped too, I've been given so much sponsorship that I couldn't bear to let them down," says Helen.

This month Helen weighs in at 12 stone 10 pounds. "I couldn't believe it when I dropped down from the 13-stone mark, for a while I seemed to stay at the same weight and now it's going again. I can't imagine being 11 stone but is seems more achievable now I can see a 12 on the scales."

With three months to go, and 23 pounds to lose Helen needs to keep up a weight loss of two pounds a week.

"I am trying to keep up my new regime of cycling the three miles to and from work, at least twice a week. Biking outdoors is so different to the static bikes we have here at the gym (Helen, you may remember, is a beauty therapist at The Low Wood Club, Windermere) you seem to use more of your body and, of course, you have to concentrate, thank goodness there are more bike tracks around now avoiding the traffic."

At first Helen's weight dropped from her lower body, chest and face, now it is beginning to go from her widest point. "My waist has always been my problem, I'm what they call an apple shape' all the weight is up above the hips. I am so happy it's changing now, I can't wait to have a waist!"

Helen is still working out with Ailsa, the fitness guru at the club. She is avoiding the lager and snacking on healthier options like soups and pasta. She is swimming lengths in the club pool and walking as much as she can rather than grabbing lifts.

n Catch up with Helen's progress in Looking Good on Friday, July 4.

June 5, 2003 11:00