I'VE SPENT £30K AND 9,450 DAYS TRYING TO BE SLIM!

Kathleen Court has been chasing her dream weight for decades

- CHARLOTTE OWEN

Leaning over my trolley to reach the packet of diet biscuits, I frown when I see the price. They're now over £1 and it really bothers me that I have to pay more for an individually wrapped, low-calorie 'treat' which isn't even tasty.

But this is the price I've paid for spending my whole life trying to keep my weight around the 9st mark. And when I dare let myself dwell on the astonishing costs, that £1 pack of biscuits is a mere drop in the ocean.

A recent YouGov survey revealed that 61% of women report feeling under pressure to slim down to have the perfect body. I don't think I've ever wanted the 'perfect' body, but I have always hated the tops of my arms and would like my middle to be slimmer.

MOUNTING COSTS

So now, as an active 74-year-old, weighing an acceptable 10st 7lb and at a size 14, I am back on the weight-loss bandwagon. Despite being on a diet for more than three decades of my life - that's 9,450 days if you take off 50 days a year for holidays, Christmases, illness and 'treat' days - I still want to be thinner. And when I tot up the cash I've thrown at trying to lose a few pounds, it comes to nearly £30k. It's staggering.

Over the years, my money has gone on slimming clubs, with the longest stint lasting six years. While £3 or £4 a week never felt like a lot at the time, I reckon I've spent a couple of thousand on the weekly weigh-ins alone. And at every weigh-in, I've treated myself to diet-club biscuits, crisps and chocolate. At around £10 a week, that must be another £3,000-£4,000.