Day 1

Because I can't let things just be simple, I've not just decided to incorporate the Real Age program into the Michelle Bridge's 12 Week Body Training (12wbt) program, I've also resurrected my Calorie King account. I think that, although this means spending yet more time on my bum in front of the computer, this was a good idea - though I'll generally follow the 12wbt schedule, this won't be slavish and clearly there'll be some differences, through necessity or preference.
Today, for example, I had to substitute Weetbix for muesli, skipped the berries (I'll save them for dinner), and low fat milk for yoghurt. Thanks to CK I know how many calories I had at breakfast (232, including 2.6 fat grams) instead of the 12wbt total (334), and adjusted my other meals accordingly.
Sadly, as Lynn had told me a few weeks ago, CK are upgrading their formerly-free site to a paid service, but it's worth it, at least while I'm actively portion watching, calorie counting and fat fighting.
According to CK my calorie intake should be almost half again what the 12wbt plan recommends, a figure similar to that I arrived at after calculating my active metabolic rate when reading US Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels' book. She also says you should never dip below 1200 calories (the 12wbt average, including one day under 1000).
So I've decided to predominantly follow the 12wbt diet but add (healthy) elements and compromise on my caloric intake by bouncing between Michelle's 1200 and CK's 1740 calorie projections, in part because the 12wbt diet is only individualised by gender. This meant a very satisfying dinner or pita-based pizza with char grilled eggplant, zucchini and cherry tomatoes (12wbt) plus low sodium tomato paste, a little feta, olives and anchovies (an additional 254 calories and quite tasty).
On the minus side, although I walked to the supermarket and back (1.4k) with quite a heavy load of groceries, I didn't do the workout. I do get one day off, so that will be it and I'll just start the exercise part tomorrow, with both an aerobics session and the baseline fitness challenge. I also have a friend lunching with me on Wednesday (wholemeal spaghetti with tuna and lemon), who can take the before photo, as my camera doesn't seem to have the timer function described in the manual (which may well be my ineptitude at many things mechanical). - Alex