LIZ DALLAS - 'FITBUG HELPED ME DROP 3 DRESS SIZES'

The old adage says that you don't get something for nothing, but fortunately for Liz Dallas, she got even more than she bargained for when she received a free Fitbug just for taking a couple of minutes to fill in a questionnaire.

'I've had a weight problem since I was 17,- she explains. 'I've been on just about every diet in the book and even though they have always worked for a while I have always put the weight back on.

'So when Channel 4 offered us a free Fitbug membership for taking part in a health survey, I thought it was something for nothing. I hoped that it might work for me and I decided to give it a go.

'I collected my Bug back in May but I didn't even get round to touching it until August.'

As is so often the case, it was actually an occasion - in this case Liz's 33rd birthday - that made her realise that she had to do something and pick up her Fitbug.

'It was a terrible day,- recalls Liz. 'I just felt so miserable. I cried from the minute I got up until the end of the day.

'I thought my best days were over. I was 12 stone two pounds, which didn't sit well on my five-foot-three frame. I felt really overweight and I wanted to hide away in the corner most of the time.

'I was supposed to be going to a family barbecue and I really didn't want to go. I phoned my mum and she could tell straight away how miserable I was.

'That day I thought about the Fitbug and figured it was my last chance to do something about my weight and feel better about myself. I clipped my Bug onto my belt and I haven't looked back.'

Despite previously finding exercise regimes a bit of a struggle, Liz developed an instant affinity with the Fitbug programme.

'I've been to the gym and exercise classes in the past but I always felt like I was being dragged there kicking and screaming and I hated it, but straight away this felt different.

'From week one I really went for it so when I was set my first target of 12,000 steps it was a real challenge - but I was determined to achieve it.

'I was actually surprised by how easy it was to fit that many steps into my life. Of course there were a couple of days when I was really tired but I kept going and I am so glad that I did.'

Four months on, Liz now takes double that amount of steps each day, and is convinced that she has found a formula that works for her.

'Fitbug has just completely changed the way that I look at things. These days my car just sits on the drive and I probably use it once a week - when I go ice skating.

'I walk to the station each morning, but rather than going to Hackbridge, my nearest station, I walk to Mitchum Junction - so that's already two miles.

'When I get to Victoria, I have a 12-13 minute walk to the office, but I have found a long way round and I stretch that out to 17 or 18 minutes.

'While I'm at the office, I know it's important to give your eyes a break so I take two ten-minute breaks in the morning. I then spend the whole of my lunch break walking.

'I know some people would be horrified to think that I spend the whole hour walking but I like it and if I go out for lunch with my friends instead I really miss my walks.'

With so much daily activity, it's no surprise to learn that Liz's figure has undergone a dramatic transformation.

'My figure has changed so much that no one can believe that I haven't been to the gym or done something dramatic.

'Back in August, I weighed just over 12 stone. My top half was a size 18-20 and I was a 16-18 on the bottom half; I'm now a well-proportioned size 12 all over.

'My mood has completely changed too. I used to get black depressions and feel upset and I felt that everything was going downhill.

'I thought I might have SAD and I was going to invest £200 in a light-box but it turns out that getting active and spending more time in the natural light has made all the difference.

'I feel so much more confident than I did before and I find that the little things don't get me down any more. I used to shrink into the corner but now I feel like I can hold my own again.'

So what advice does Liz have for other people contemplating the Fitbug programme?

'You only get out what you put in,- she says. 'So if you are serious about achieving results you won't make excuses.

'If it's raining take your umbrella, if you don't feel safe walking in the dark, find a friend or a partner or a sibling or a dog to go with you.

'I have also learned that diets don't work. Fitbug has taught me to take a healthy approach and really think about what I eat.

'I now feel that I am on the right path and I don't think I will ever be overweight again. After 17 years of watching my weight, that is such a relief.'