Ten pounds to lose, eeek!

Despite my good intentions over Christmas, the festive season combined with a cessation of my aqua classes, a trip to Las Vegas and too many cocktails have resulted in me putting on 10 pounds!! Eeek.

Last night the DH and I agreed we would start another race to lose half a stone (I'm keeping schtum about those extra pounds). We did this last year: I lost 10 pounds, he lost about the same, but as we'd both said we wanted to lose a stone, neither of us claimed the reward.

The prize this time is a weekend of walking for him if he wins, and for me, noise reducing headphones from Bose.

Last night we had a curry to "celebrate" the end of our bad ways, and today I went to the gym and he went for a run, which he does six days of the week. I remembered why I find going to the gym such a FAFF. Firstly, you have to assemble all your kit. For me, two sports bras and the usual shoes, trousers, top; the iPOD fully charged and its arm sleeve thing; heart rate monitor; bottle of water; two towels (I decided to wash my hair). It's much easier to go swimming, or aqua, because all you need then is your swimming costume, flip flops and a towel.

I've booked to go to aqua three times next week, and I'm back using Nutracheck, the online calorie counter.

Today I've been eating lots of fruit and veg. My skin is dry and spotty (if that's possible) after all the air con in the US plus the poor food there.

I'll keep you posted on progress - plus some of my diet secrets including how to create huge great meals for those with big appetites that still allow you to lose weight!

Tested: Proto-col collagen tablets, Crest White Strips, Bliss Thinny Chin Chin

I consider myself an indefatigable tester of new beauty products, pills and potions and am happy to share my findings with you, dear reader.

I have been taking Proto-col collagen tablets for two months now. The theory is that we lose more and more collagen from the age of 35 upwards, with resulting slackening of skin tone. The capsules, three a day x 400mg, are supposed to improve skin, hair, joints and nails.

I wasn't sure about the merits of taking collagen like this, in capsule format. I'm aware of collagen injections, but who knows if collagen taken internally does anything for the skin? I have yet to find any official research.

I haven't noticed any real difference to my skin, to be honest. And no improvement to my nails, which have become very weak in past months. But one thing that did improve, after the first dose, was joint pain. I have an elbow which I think is afflicted by repetitive strain injury (it can't be tennis elbow!) and after taking Proto-col, the pain had gone completely. It wasn't permanent, but it does make a difference. I've taken glucosamine/condroitin and green lipped mussel extract and neither of those made any difference.

On another subject, have just been to the US and the inevitable trip to Sephora. There I bought some Bliss Thinny Chin Chin, which is aimed at firming up the decollete and jowls. After applying it for the first time, I can confirm it definitely tightens up the skin: you can feel it doing this. I don't think it lasts long, but good for a party!

Also in the US, I bought some Crest White Strips. You couldn't buy these in the UK the last time I looked, although I believe they're available now on the web. I bought the premium kit. You apply the strips to your teeth twice a day for 30 mins and after seven days you're supposed to see a difference. I had my teeth bleached a few years ago and they've been looking a bit yellow lately so I thought I would try it. I'll let you know how I can get on.

Note to Victoria

I see Mrs Beckham was voted worst dresser in Mr Blackwell's list of 2007. Highly justified, judging by the latest photos of her in a lime green ensemble. I noticed in Hello recently that both Katie Holmes (one of VB's friends) and Angelina Jolie were seen sporting glamorous outerwear at red carpet events. Outerwear? Yes, shock horror, a stylish raincoat in the case of Ms Jolie, and a gorgeous coat in the case of Katie. Let's hope their example will put paid to the spectacle of VB, and hundreds of ladies in Newcastle, wearing sleeveless dresses at night with no coat and no tights!