I started to put weight on when I was eight. Am now sixty one. When I started dating my husband in 1975 I was sixteen and 11 stone. When we got married I was near 14st. After having our in 1983 daughter I was 18st. My weight fluctuated after that lowest I got was 17st and the biggest 21st. Every time I decided to lose weight my late husband and children supported me and never once was disappointed in me when I gave up and put it back on.
My husband died in 2004 at the age of forty seven I was forty five. In the intervening years I yo yo dieted.
In 2017 after my mom died I became ill just thought I was run down. I have am illness which I have had for 31 yrs . No one can tell me a name for it. I have spent years under varies consultant neurologists. I am lucky whatever it is is not killing me but has made life difficult. I have symptoms of various neurological disorders. Why I have given that information is because of two of the tablets I was taking for pain and fits gave me jaundice. I couldn't see I was yellow. Just thought all I had gone through being ill, bring the children up, my husband cancer and death. Helping with my dad until he died. Looking after my mom for ten years until her death.
Because I was so ill from the March until finally being discharged by the gastrologist(hope I have spelt that right) in August I couldn't do anything for a long time . Even lifting an empty mug was impossible. I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted out of life now none was dependent on me. Lose weight was top of the list followed by move closer to live by the children and get fitter.
I decided my weight would be a marathon and not a sprint. I would be happy to lose quarter of pound a week. In January 2018 I joined a community fit club programme run by Age UK. It was for 12 weeks. Because I have to walk with a stick and have balance problems the fitness instructor was wonderful. I used a chair to hold on to too do leg exercises and sat down to do the arm ones.
When I started to diet in April 2017 I was 19st 2.25lbs size 32. Hadn't exercised for 40yrs. I am now 11 st 12.25lbs size 16. Lost 7st 4lbs. Didn't start measuring myself until June 2017. But have lost 7" from my bust,11.5" waist and 15" from my hips. I want to get to 11st.
I have cut out danger foods from my diet i.e. chocolate, ice cream and cheese. Can't control how much I eat of those. I have not gone to weight clubs. Tried that when Nick was alive doesn't work for me. I weight everything I eat and drink and count calories. Write it down to keep check. I know even when I get to 11st for the rest of my life I will have to weigh and count calories it's the only way I can control what I put into my mouth. The fitness class carried on due to a grant from Aged UK until August 2018. I have carried on with the exercises. I do 25 mins every day. My strength has improved so has my balance. All my family and friends can't get over the change in me. They tell me all the time how proud of me they are.
My late husband would be shocked. He always loved me no matter how big I got.
It's not been easy and some weeks I have put on. But I have not given up. If I can do it you can to. I spent decades being over weight. No more. Hope this has helped some one out there.
Being quizzed by chemist's assistant in Boots.
