A simple choice LIVE OR DIE

When Karen Jones' biggest fear came true, she knew it was time to take action

- SARAH VENESS

I spent two decades being overweight and terrified of the consequences. My mum had type 2 diabetes which, along with her heart problems, had led to her untimely death at just 66.

Yet despite my fears, I didn't clean up my eating habits, always convincing myself I still had time to change. Of course, I was lying to myself because that dreaded diagnosis did finally arrive, and it was only then that reality hit me, and I had to ask myself, did I want to live, or did I want to die?

I'd been slim as a child but by my 20s my weight had begun to creep up. I had a sweet tooth and loved cakes, chocolate and crisps, which I even snacked on before breakfast some days. My mum was very overweight and I could see myself going the same way.

Over the years I joined every slimming club going, and they all worked for a while, but sooner or later, I'd give up and pile all the pounds back on and more.

But even though I knew type 2 diabetes was on the cards, it was still a shock, when, in February 2021, the doctor diagnosed me. I was 15st, a size 22, and petrified it was going to kill me, just like it had Mum. Shame filled me, because, at 60, I knew I could have stopped myself going down this path much sooner. Time wasn't on my side, either - I needed to lose weight and I needed to do it quickly.