Very well played mate, hope it's still going well.

Have so far only lost eleven pounds since Jan (started at 13.7 stones, would love to be 12 stones eventually), difficult but will keep trying.

Am ashamed to admit that on weekends I drank a stupid amount around 06-09 especially. Thankfully those days are gone now, but do still enjoy five-six pints of Boddingtons on a Saturday in my local, gotta have a bit of what you enjoy eh.

Bought a second pair of running trainers not long ago (to gradually replace my others which are quickly wearing out after 1-2 years). Bought this new pair from a well-known sports chain, and Jesus do they push you for the add-on's:

Gel inner-soles? No thanks

Protective spray? No thanks.

Trainer socks on special offer? No thanks.

Grrr!!

Even more annoying, was that to me, although the trainers were only cheap (£20) they are Lotto which has been around for decades and I was sure they'd be good enough for what I needed, but the cashier kinda half-dismissed them suggesting I go for a £60-£70 pair. I thought, if these are that bad, why do you stock them then? And the retail industry wonders why so much trade is being lost to online shopping...

Having said that, if you're going to do a lot of running, investing in a decent pair of trainers is money well spent, along with a proper pair of socks. Inner soles shouldn't be needed if you get the right pair and if you want to keep the trainers clean with spray you aren't doing it properly.

I got my trainers from a specialist shop and had gait analysis done to get me the right pair. They suggested, but didn't push, a pair of Twin Skin socks and I got some, which was a fantastic purchase. Not had a blister since I got them and I've run a lot of miles since I started up again.

think layer of vaseline on the feet, does the trick just as good

in fact so good you dont even have to put the trainers on