How to Lose Weight - At Any Age

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Two years ago I was just under 11 stone, and I'm 5ft 2 so I didn't look fat, but it wasn't until I saw photographs of my self @ my 50th birthday party that I realised how much weight had crept up over the two years, since starting a sitting down job.



I did go up a dress size from a '10' to a '12', but I told myself that at 50 a lady needs a bit of 'padding' so she doesn't look old and drawn. I was horrified at how I looked in photos because I didn't think I looked that big when I looked in the mirror, but seeing a photo of myself made me think that's how others see me. I was not happy. What helped me cut down was a family accident that changed my finances. I know some people can't eat at times of stress, but I'm the opposite: I ate more – it seemed to make me feel better, however, I found myself with less to spend. I altered my lunch to begin with. If I took a sandwich to work I'd always eat crisps with it and a chocolate bar afterwards with a cup of tea. So, near the end of the month, when my money was low I found I could save a £1a day by not having crisps and chocolate. So by Friday I had £5 extra to spend on bills/petrol/ whatever I was short of.

When I did get paid I thought "I've managed a week without the extra crisps and chocolate, so I can manage another one". I started to park my car as far away from my entrance as I could, to get a few steps in. I always walked to my car during my break to get extra steps in and at the supermarket too.

Every day when I bought my newspaper on the way to work and to satisfy my very sweet tooth I would take a small Freddo, or only two squares of Cadbury dairy milk. I made small changes: I switched from white bread to wholemeal & eventually the weight started dropping off and people started noticing. If we went out for a meal, I didn't have dessert – you just say no. Or if it was every four weeks I would have a dessert instead of a main course. And I know it's not very nutritious, but sometimes a lady needs something sweet.

Two years on I'm just under 9 stone. I don't eat a strict low fat diet. You don't have to change to watery milk and low fat spread. I just eat three meals a day, just a bit less, and in between I snack on fruit. I have full fat milk, I have real butter and I am proof that you can lose weight and keep it off without resorting to low fat, bland tasting food. I don't eat any 'diet' food. I eat everything I've always enjoyed just a bit less of it. For instance, I spread the butter on and scrape it off, or I only put it on one piece. My daughter has also introduced me to the delights of tomato puree, which I sometimes use instead of butter. It's delicious with a boiled or poached egg as a sandwich.

Everything you can fry I grill instead. I still have chips once a month, I just don't want them as much. You don't have to join an expensive gym, just walk a bit more. If I have to go somewhere less than two miles away I walk. I am living proof it works and it saves petrol for more important journeys. It's not rocket science: just eat a bit less and walk a bit more. It's not a strict diet regime, it's a lifestyle that you stick to. I never miss a meal, and I always eat three times a day.

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