"The fun and excitement of dietland"

Fourteen months ago I was classed as obese and was in a size 32 dress. I was at risk for many health problems such as diabetes, strokes, heart attacks and high blood pressure. Walking was difficult because after ten minutes I was in pain and after fifteen minutes I was wheezing. I dread to think what I would have been like if I smoked but thankfully I gave that up twenty five years ago.

Many people think that because a person is fat that they are lazy but that is most emphatically untrtue. I looked at the reasons why I was so fat and in my case it was because I was so unhappy.

I started dieting by watching what I ate. I cut down on my intake and started eating a more healthy diet consisting of more fruit and vegetables. It was not a diet as such but being more observant when buying food, looking at labels and cutting out anything that was unhealthy. Occasionally I allowed myself a treat but I made myself earn them.

I then started walking for fiteen minutes a day and built it up over a period of weeks until I was doing two to three hours walking a day. One day I would walk round all the shops down Whitefriersgate, another day Princes Quay or st Stephens or Prospect Centre.

My next plan of action was to visit Lifestyles and they were very helpful. I met a really nice advisor who loved her work and enjoyed seeing people get results. She put me in touch with a gym so that I could exercise along with other people who were eager to lose weight.

I had never been to a gym in my life and was afraid that once I started to exercise I would ache all over and I was also embarrased about my size. Honestly if was fantastic. I went to Nuffeild and there I met a wonderful trainer and she set out an exercise programme for me. She even did an MOT so that I could see how my health was progressing. I went to Health Central (St Stephens) and they too helped encouraged and supported me and did regular health checks.

I am now down to a size 14 dress and almost back to a healthy weight. To date I have lost almost nine stone.

It has been a wonderful journey and I have had lots of support from my GP, Practice Nurese, Lifestyles, Weight Management, the Gym and my family. I have made new freinds and feel much better in myself. I am more confident have a clearer skin and feel more energetic. I get up in a morning feeling happy whereas before I never wanted to climb out of bed.

I enjoy life, have taken up doing crafts, swimming and going out more often.

The turning point for me was when I was sixty I got my bus pass and I wanted to enjoy life but was unable to because of my size. I now take up just one seat on a bus and enjoy travelling about. Wherever I go I can take full advantage of sightseeing and browzing around the shops and still come home feeling fit and well.

Dieting for me was fun right from the beginning. You have to want to do it and do it for yourself but it is so worthwhile.It is not just about losing weight and being healthy it is about making new freinds, understanding other peoples problems, having support and learning so many things. Building confidence and being a valuable member of the community instead of hiding away. Your whole outlook changes for the better and it is thrilling when people start to notice that you have lost weight and say how good you look.

I even went to the 'Boot Camp' at the Gym and that was really exciting and one of the best things I have ever done.

Dieting is a wonderful opportunity in life if done with the help of proffessional people who understand nutrtion, exercise and support you from beginning to end. I hope you have as much fun and exitement as I have. After all I have learned on my journey I know I will never get to a size 32 again. I am now doing training with Health Champions and learning even more about a healthy lifestyle.