One year to CHANGE MY LIFE

After struggling with her weight for decades, Sharon Head, 52, vowed to finally find her spark

- RACHEL TOMPKINS

It took me 50 years to have my first proper 'pinch-me' moment but, walking up to the front of the crowded room to collect my 2023 Woman of the Year award, I knew it had been worth the wait. The confident and happy woman in the slinky size 12 evening gown was a far cry from the miserable frump I'd been only the previous year, and I couldn't believe how much my life had changed in that time.

I'd struggled with my weight since my teens. While studying for my A-levels, I'd snacked more and ate the same-sized portions as my brothers, who were both over 6ft. I started secret eating too, snacking on chocolate alone in my room when I knew no-one would see me, or binging on toast when I got home from school. Over the following years my weight fluctuated. When I was at university, I did manage to lose a bit by exercising more and eating a healthier diet, and by the time I met Nick aged 33, I weighed 15st, which was on the slimmer side for me.

But, happy and content, I slipped even further into bad habits of meals out, snacking and even more secret eating - scoffing packets of biscuits on my way to my job as a civil servant. I'd sneak them into my bag before I left the house and then dispose of the wrappers. As my weight crept up, I began to feel more down about my size, but then my go-to comfort was always food, so it was just a vicious cycle.