YIPPEE! I've managed to avoid Alex's sweetie tin and polishing off his leftovers for another week, and coupled with a week on the fabulous Bodychef diet, the scales are showing I've dropped another 2lbs - meaning I've lost half a stone in just two weeks.

I was sceptical when I read on the website that most people lose a stone in a month but I can really see the results. I've even had a couple of nights out over the past week avoided the fattening sauces and chips and still managed to lose weight.

It's great to finally find a diet that doesn't leave you wanting to chew your arm off and takes all the hassle out of thinking about what to cook.

After trying out the Bodychef lower carb plan last week, this week I've moved on to the Low GI version and been pleasantly surprised at how much more there is to eat on it.

The diet has an emphasis on nutritious carbs which are lower on the glycaemic index, therefore keeping your blood sugar level.

Wholegrains, pasta, vegetables and fruit all feature on this diet and, essentially, the foods are digested more slowly, so you feel more full over a longer time. Willpower is everything though. I've still had to cook dinners for Alex and my husband, Chris, but the secret with low GI food is that fuller feeling.

Jayne, who runs Bodychef, has kindly allowed us to publish her yummy recipe for oat and cranberry cookies that I raved about last week.

They are totally delicious, and who would guess a cookie featuring chocolate chips could actually be healthy.

Bodychef Oat and Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients (makes 24)

**230g rolled oats

**75g wholemeal plain flour

**three-quarters tsp bicarbonate of soda

**half tsp ground cinnamon

**quarter tsp salt

**90g brown sugar

**80ml rapeseed oil

**3 large egg whites

**2 tsp vanilla extract

**90g chopped cranberries

**360g chopped walnuts

**60g dark choc chips

Method 1. Preheat oven to 180°C. In a large bowl combine oats, flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and salt.

2. In a medium bowl whisk together the brown sugar, oil, egg whites and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold in the cranberries, walnuts and choc chips. Gradually fold in the flour mixture and stir till well blended.

3. Drop the batter by tablespoons on to two large baking trays coated with one cal spray.

4. Bake for 10 mins or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and cool immediately.

Data: 172 cals per cookie; healthy elements: cranberries, dark chocolate, walnuts and rapeseed oil.

Factfile: Bodychef delivers fresh food diet plans and custom diets direct to the doors of customers all over the UK. There are seven diets to choose from, starting from £38.99.

Find out more at www.bodychef.com .

Cathy recommends ...

**THE NCT Hillingdon's Nearly New Sale is on Saturday at Vyners School between 1.30 and 3.30pm. You can get in at 1pm if you have an NCT membership card.

It's a huge nearly new sale with excellent quality items at bargain prices - thousands of items from more than 70 sellers.

You'll find clothes, toys, books, videos, DVDs, pushchairs, high chairs, cots, nursery equipment and maternity items.

There's free parking, and refreshments including home made cakes and biscuits.

Email nns@ncthillingdon.org.uk  or call 0844 243 6168.