Optifast is one of the few that your GP will recommend, but at $50 for a weeks supply it can be a tad pricey to justify if you have kids to feed and clothe. Be prepared for the headaches and bad breath though. Yes it works, and works fast, but you can't expect to drop that much weight in a short period of time and not suffer some side effects. I'd suggest eating the green vegetables once a day that they allow you to consume. The weight loss might be slightly slower granted, but as a mum you need all the energy you can muster, and just the meal replacement shakes etc don't cut it.

Mish, you can pick up cheap good quality exercise bikes at the likes of Kmart now, and for a small fee they not only put them together for you, but deliver as well. And you don't need all the expensive weights etc. Two cans of soup, is a cheap fix to hand weights, and jogging is free if you can find the time.

This is all said by the person who has spent the last few months sitting on her arse stuffing her face with chocolates. Yep, my hips and thighs are loving me right about now.

But you look good curvy. Some of us just look like whales searching for a place to beach themselves.

So when do we start? If I don't do something quick I'll have kankles instead of ankles.

Right ladies, (and Ant) I have exactly the opposite problem. I eat like a horse, (all the usual bad for you fattening stuff and whatever else strays within reaching ditance), I drink like a school of fish and the only exercise I do is gettin up periodically to go for a wee wee (usually during aforementioned fish type activities). But I'm 11.5 stone, cant ever get over that weight, also bein 6'1" tall, i look like a stick in a bag in most clothes. Any ideas of a diet for weight gain? Dont wanna be mr universe or anything, but a little bulk would be nice. Any suggestions will be very gratefully received (some might even be given a shot!!)