The power of THOUGHT

One woman was determined to end her unhealthy relationship with food once and for all

- SERENA SHORES

All Sam Durley wanted was to feel normal - to not stand out or need to hide at the back of a group photograph.

For most of her life she had battled with her weight and disordered eating; eventually reaching 22st and a size 26. By December 2023, Sam's health had reached breaking point, with a diagnosis of high blood pressure, cholesterol and sleep apnoea, where she stopped breathing 270 times a night.

Sam decided enough was enough. A chance post on Facebook showed her a programme to manage what she ate and dramatically improve her health. This wasn't a diet but a whole lifestyle change, which has transformed her attitude to food and improved her wellbeing beyond her wildest dreams.

'We couldn't really afford sweets when I was growing up and my mum always cooked healthy meals, but she said from the moment I was born, I had a huge appetite,' says Sam, 57, from Northamptonshire. 'When visiting my nan's, the table was groaning and I overate to the point where I felt sick. I didn't put on weight as a child, but at 13 I noticed “puppy fat” and was so disgusted I stopped eating. They were very dark times up to the age of 16, when I developed bulimia, and after that it was a thin line between compulsive eating and anorexia.'