Not a good skating lesson this week. It was especially frustrating as i have now shelled out 70 quid for my own skates. I realise that they are freshly sharpened, but i was wobbling all over the shop, and my feet kept rolling inwards. I am determined to get used to them, so i'm planning on skating on Thursday (i'm off work). I will not let them beat me.

The biggest factor holding me back is my weight. I try and try not to eat too much, and i am now skating and run/walking - but it doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference.

I have blisters on the back of my legs from where the skates rubbed, but that can be corrected with longer socks. They hurt on my instep, although they were doing that in the shop. They are always going to hurt there as my feet as my feet are just so wide that they don't make skates in that width. If i lose weight it will help.

I was just so cross and frustrated. 70 pounds is an awful lot of money and to get out there and wobble and fall over and stuggle to keep my ankles up right left a bitter taste.

Still, we did more gliding, forward fishes and started some backward work. I'm going to try and continue, but i think i'll be in the same group, i don't seem to be picking this up too fast. I have to try harder to lose weight.

One of the instructors said she would look out and see if she could get me some second-hand figure skates, and see if they were any different. But hey, at least the pain was less than in the hire skates.

Maybe i'm coming down with something, i feel cold today.