Dancing with my friends at a beach party in Ibiza, I felt incredible. It was September 2022 and we were celebrating my friend's birthday. This trip had been a long time coming, something I'd been looking forward to for ages. When we'd planned it months earlier, I'd decided to use it as a goal. I'd wanted to lose weight in time for the holiday and spend the days showing off my new figure in a bikini. And now, here I was doing just that.
I'd battled with my weight for years. After having my children, Nathan in 2003 and Niamh in 2004, I weighed around 13st. I joined WeightWatchers and lost 3st, but then I stopped going to the meetings and gradually old habits crept back in. I'd eat crisps and biscuits and did little exercise, so my weight just gradually increased.
By the time I celebrated my 40th in 2009, I'd put all of the weight I'd lost back on again, plus more. I felt so self-conscious, but over the next few years my weight continued to yo-yo. It was the same unhealthy cycle. I'd return to Weight Watchers, lose weight, then stop going to meetings and start allowing myself a few too many treats.
One more won't hurt, I'd say, eating another biscuit. By then, I'd separated from the kids' dad and was single. I lost weight ahead of my 50th and, while celebrating in Benidorm with my friends, made a promise to myself.
'It's going to be different this time,' I told my best friend Julie, 42, as we lazed on sunloungers. I'm going to keep going to the meetings to make sure I keep the weight off.' I was determined but when we got home, the pandemic hit. 'How do you think you'll cope if we get locked down and you aren't able to come to meetings any more?' my WeightWatchers group leader asked.
STAYING MOTIVATED
Esta historia es de la edición April 03, 2023 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 03, 2023 de WOMAN'S OWN.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
MY SON DIED HELPING OTHERS
Christine Parry is determined to continue her son's heroic work in Ukraine
I'M A MIDLIFE DADDY'S GIRL
Rachel Tompkins, 44, loves having a close relationship with her father
BECKHAMS' BUST-UPS
Posh and Becks are preparing to mark 25 years of marriage, but is all well in paradise?
DO VIRAL BEAUTY HACKS REALLY WORK?
Intrigued by hair and skincare advice trending on TikTok, Julie Cook, 46, decided to put it to the test
MEXICAN ONE-DISH DINNERS
Spice up midweek meals with these thrifty favourites
BANISH BINGO WINGS
Say 'hello' to sculpted arms this summer - just give these six easy moves a try
HOMELESS TO MILLIONAIRE
With her house repossessed and deep in depression, Caroline Strawson, 50, was determined to transform her life
THIS MORNING IN CRISIS!
Are new presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard set to be replaced already?
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on cooked brealdfasts, divorce and cleaning
GOING SOLO
Claire Waite Brown, 52, hadn't travelled alone for over 30 years