February member of the month
Anne Woodward from March, Cambridgeshire.

Posted 02 February 2010

Last year, with a little help from her bug, Anne lost three stone for her New Year's Eve wedding to Simon...

How did you find out about Fitbug?

I was doing some research on the internet, googling "weight loss", "fitness", that kind of thing...

What was your motivation for joining?

My boyfriend Simon had just proposed. We'd gone out for dinner to celebrate my birthday in July last year and while we were just waiting for our first course to arrive, he suddenly produced a ring and said: "Will you marry me?"

I'd been thinking for months: "I've got to do something about my weight because I'm huge," but nothing was really giving me motivation.

Then we set a date for the wedding, New Year's Eve, giving us five months to organise everything.

Obviously, pretty soon I started thinking about The Dress. The only problem was that when it came to trying them on, I looked like Queen Victoria, complete with bustle!

That was when I found Fitbug.

Did you join up straight away?

I talked to Simon about whether he thought it was a good investment. He said yes so that was it.

I loved the sound of it, the idea of keeping tabs myself every day, both through the bug itself and on the internet. I just thought that sounded brilliant. And that’s how it's turned out to be.

Have you always struggled with your weight?

All my life. I've had two children - I have two sons, aged 24 and 22 - and I've been through Weight Watchers twice so I knew that didn't work for me. The fact that I had to do it a second time told me that it didn't work for me.

Did you find the Fitbug scheme easy to stick to from the start?

Completely. The easiest thing I've ever done, as far as weight loss is concerned.

I'm a teacher and it was the middle of the summer holidays when I started on August 11th. I began walking, firstly around my village and then further afield. Before long, walking, weighing and uploading had become part of my daily routine.

By the time I went back to school just under a month later, I was already looking leaner and fitter. People were saying: 'Oh my God! What have you done during the holidays?!'

Have you recommended Fitbug to other people then?

I'm evangelical about it. Two people at work have signed up. And one of the guests at the wedding said she was going to enrol as well!

It's quite funny because I was thinking: 'How am I going to fit my bug under my wedding dress?'

Although I didn't wear it in the end, I did have it with me at the hotel.

Do you use the website much?

I find the food bank very useful. It's alerted me to the value of what I'm eating. This is the lovely thing about it. There's no: 'You can't do this, you can't do that.' If I want a chocolate biscuit with my cup of tea, I just look at the calories and adapt to it.

It's a joy to know exactly what I'm eating and just adapt it. This is the first time I feel like I'm in control, rather than my food or my moods.

I've taken tips from the site as well, things like if you think you want some chocolate, wait 10 minutes and see if you still want it.

How has life changed since Fitbug?

I smile more. I'm happier than I've been in years.

In the summer and autumn, walking was a joy and in the days leading up to Christmas, I felt as if the world was mine as I gazed on sunrise pink and blue snow that no-one else had seen.

Fitting walking in has been difficult during the darker evenings but my eldest comes with me most days so I've managed to carry on.

I've read others' stories in which they say they feel jittery if they don't get outside to walk and I know how they feel.

I'm more aware of what I eat and drink, more able to adapt to special circumstances and enjoying exercise for the first time in 20 years.

How much weight have you managed to lose?

I was 13 stone and a dress size 16-18 when I started.

By the wedding I'd lost three stone and my red, figure hugging gown was a size 12, which was just lovely.

I'm now on the maintenance part of the plan and I have put on a couple of pounds, but I think that'll go once I'm back into a rhythm.

What advice would you give other members?

Commit to it completely, but don't be afraid if you have an off day, or even an off week, because you know you can get back to it.

And relax. I've relaxed about food, it having been an issue all my life, it's not anymore.

So you think you’ll stick to the scheme now the wedding's over?

Absolutely. Fitbug is a friend for life!

Anne and her hubby before she started with Fitbug

As this month's star member Anne receives a fantastic Molton Brown gift set. If you'd like to feature as our member of the month - or if you know someone that deserves to -

send us your story!