Architecture geek, retired academic, displaced Scot, half-hearted gardener, Italiophile, history lover, humanist, third rate photographer, tennis fan.

I've been overweight since my early teens and have tried many, many diets – even made up a few of my own. But all I seemed to have done for the last 40+ years is lose and regain the same 10kg - and then add a few more for good measure.

Then at the end of June 2013, it suddenly and rather belatedly dawned on me just how much nearer to 60 I was than to 50 and I took a long, hard look at myself. It wasn't pleasant; I weighed 109kg (17st 2lbs) – and at 5'4", this wasn't a good look... Finally, I realised that in order to improve my health, I had to do something – and I had to do it differently. because simply cutting calories wasn't cutting it. So now I am intermittently fasting (a mix of 16:8 and Fast-5) and eating a reduced carb diet. Wish me luck!