Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day is set to take place on Friday 18^th March 2016 - but already the fundraising has begun!  Twitter has already started buzzing with those looking to lose weight after the festive period, and Greenfingers is inviting them to feel even better about themselves by raising money to help create more children's hospice gardens.

The idea is that for each pound participants lose between now and Garden Re-Leaf Day, they can collect a pound from their sponsors, to be donated to Greenfingers after the 18th March.

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers, Debs Skilicorn, Director of Greenfingers and GTN's very own Trevor Pfeiffer are all bravely taking part and want to encourage others to step up to the challenge.

You can sponsor Trevor on his target to loose 1 stone between the GCA Conference and Garden Re-Leaf Day by clicking: https://www.justgiving.com/Trevor-Pfeiffer.  "Immediately after conference I went down with a bout of man flu, so I was only able to get the diet up and running on Wednesday 3rd February.  My start weight was registered as 15 stone 4 pounds and Saturday 3rd February was the second day of my 5:2 Fast diet plan.  

"On that plan I can eat normally on non-fast days but only a maximum of 600 calories on fast days.  The start was particularly tough, feeling very hungry during the evening, but worthwhile as after two fast days I'd already lost 3 pounds in weight.

"Last week I managed to fit in 3 fast days and I've lost a further 2 pounds to get below the 15 stone mark.

"That means I have at least another 9 pounds to loose between now and Garden Re-Leaf Day and with your help I'll raise even more money for Greenfingers.

Next week could be tricky as I'm travelling every day visiting garden centres in the UK and in Holland as part of the HTA Study Tour to the Garden Retail Experience.  I wonder if any of them sell meals with less than 600 calories?

"I'll keep you all updated with my progress in future issues of GTN Xtra.  Thank you to all the people who have already sponsored me."

If you are interested in taking part, here are a few pointers to help you get started:

• If you find it hard to lose weight then don't go overboard - aim for a realistic target
• On the other hand, don't aim too low - challenge yourself and encourage sponsorship!
• Let others know you’re trimming down so you can rely on them to hold you to account.  Post on social media, using the hashtag #Pounds4Greenfingers what you plan to do and why you are doing it.  Why not post before and after photos too?  You'll be surprised at just how much motivation it will give you knowing others are keeping an eye on your progress!
• Take up a short term gym membership, -.   or join a local sports or slimming club - there are tonnes of support group options at this time of year so you needn't be alone!

Garden Re-Leaf 2016 has already attracted eight top industry figures who will be staging 24 hour Plant-athons in garden centres beginning  their Plant-athons on Thursday 17th and finishing on Friday the 18th.  Poplars, Adrian Hall and Sunshine Garden Centres have all recently confirmed they will put on Garden Re-Leaf events in store.