A piece I wrote for Good Houskeeping that was part of a four article feature about my love of golf.

Here’s a picture of me a couple of weeks ago whilst on holiday in Dorset. By the end of the first 12 weeks on the Slimming World diet I’d lost a stone in weight. Sadly, over the last 6 weeks I haven’t stuck to the diet. However, on a positive note, I haven’t gained any weight either.

Personally, I think that’s quite good as I’ve been on holiday twice and had a few weekends away camping. In fact, I’m convinced all the walking I’ve been doing has helped stabilize my weight. I’ve also attended aerobics, body pump, body combat and body conditioning classes, and played golf most weeks.

Now all the holidays and camping trips are over I’ve decided I need to restart the diet. In fact, there’s no time like the present! I’ve still got at least another 2 stone to lose, and we’ve got Christmas looming.

One thing I know for certain is that it’s much harder losing weight when you are over 60, than when you were younger. Experts state it’s all down to changes in hormones, muscle loss, and reduced metabolism.

As I won’t be playing golf or walking as often as I normally do over the next few months due to the wet weather, I’ve decided to replace these activities with fat burning and strength training in the gym. I’m not keen on the gym but needs must!

So, after six weeks trying to lose weight without much success, I’ve decided to join Slimming World. The reason I haven’t lost any weight to date is because of my lifestyle at the weekend. I consume copious amounts of delicious cider and Prosecco, along with mouth-watering curries, pizza, and burgers. This ruins all the dieting and exercise I’ve undertaken during the week. Therefore, I’ve finally realised I need to be held to account if I put on weight and praised and congratulated if I lose weight.

As a result, there I was at 8am last Saturday morning, queuing to be weighed at a church at the bottom of my street. I discovered I need to lose 3 stone to just be in the acceptable weight range for my height. Ideally, I’d like to lose 3 ½ – 4 stone.

I’ve never tried to diet with the Slimming World plan, so I spent the rest of Saturday morning studying the books I was given, and registering for the website and app. Three hours later, I’d worked out what I can and can’t eat (and drink!), and now I’m ready to rock and roll!

Here’s a picture of me this morning taken by the instructor at my Aerotone class.

Today I decided to skip my Body Combat class and go for a walk as it was such a sunny day. Look at this lovely deer I saw whilst walking over a local beauty spot, 10 minutes from my home. They were quite happy to stand there and pose whilst I took numerous pictures on my phone. Two hours and 15,000 steps later I got home.

I used to be slim, undertake some form of exercise everyday of the week, keep within the recommended drinking units for a woman, and eat a healthy diet.

Sadly, my strict healthy eating and exercise regime has taken a back seat over the last 12 years following a serious car accident, divorce, Covid, and numerous other stresses. As a result, I have adopted a half-hearted attitude to exercise, regularly drink far too much cider, take weekly trips out for a curry, and consume copious amounts of bread. Consequently, my weight has increased by three stone.

Enough is enough. The time has come to return to my former svelte self. Watch this space as I document my journey to lose weight and get fit and healthy again.