She joined the HealthTrack study, run by the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, where she has the support of a team of researchers with expertise in nutrition, psychology, public health, exercise science and medicine. 

Here she shares her journey with readers, hoping to inspire them to follow her lead.

Week 1

HealthTrack first assessment at Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute went well - very nice people.

Height, weight, body fat and body measurements taken.

Resting heart rate and blood pressure and trying me out on an exercise box.

Forms for urine and blood tests given to me for taking at my local pathology lab.

I have invested in own fitness step tracker and I am making my diet app talk to the fitness app on my mobile. Now I can work out what makes me lose weight and feel well and, importantly, what doesn't.

HealthTrack have given me a four-day "measure everything you eat and drink" chart and a steps tracker.

Early days. Good with keeping steps up, increasing my types and times of exercise, such as swimming, cycling and rowing, and all details are going into the fitness tracker app.

Energy levels: high.

Optimism: high.

Cravings: zero (so far!).

Results: awaited!

Good luck to those joining me on the journey.

Professor Alison Jones is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong. More details on HealthTrack here.

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