Catching-up with friends from abroad this week helped further inspire and motivate David Paynter The Royal Gazette's 100 Day Challenge Columnist.

His friends have been reading his column from The Royal Gazette's website from Massachusets to Virginia and even as far away as Sierra Leone.

One of those visiting this weekend was actually his former trainer, who said he was impressed with the progress David has made and the way he was sticking with it.

David said: "One of them was a personal trainer. They were really excited that I was following and sticking to it and doing what I needed to do.

"I am thankful for giving me that knowledge and insight to get where I want to be.

"Catching up with my friends from overseas, it was good for them to see I am doing what I've got to do. It definitely keeps you motivated."

Even though David thoroughly enjoyed the Good Friday and Easter Holiday, eating fish cakes and hot cross buns the extra pounds didn't slow him down.

Instead he found added incentive to double his efforts doing both morning and evening workouts, which are both longer and with weights.

He said: "I had Good Friday Celebrations with fish cakes then I had Easter dinner, which is almost like a Christmas dinner.

"Then we had a family member's birthday dinner. It was a fun week. I had to work like anything to get back and loose weight, so we are at 37 pounds right now.

"That's four more from last week."

It's easier now, according to David, to keep up the weight loss because he knows what it takes and he is also feeling more positive about life in general.

Both eating better and the increase in physical activity are paying off with a positive outlook.

He said: "You feel more positive through everything. I guess because you are on this high from the physical activity. Mentally you are in a better place as well."