All I wanted for Christmas was ANEW BODY

Sharon Forbes, 53, unwrapped one gift and immediately knew what she wanted next

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Wandering to the buffet table, my eyes trailed over the delicious festive food. Quiches, crisps, cheesecake – how could I resist? I was far from hungry. The day before I’d stuffed myself full of turkey and all the trimmings, and today, I was enjoying a buffet, already scoffing a packed plateful. But it all looked so good.

It was Christmas 2020 and, barely able to squeeze into my size 22 clothes, I was constantly conscious of my weight. ‘What does it matter?’ I thought, popping a sausage roll into my mouth and more on to my plate. Having spent most of the year working from home in lockdown, I barely saw anyone anyway.

Going back to the table, we took turns to open presents and I hardly noticed my partner Andy taking a picture. If I had, I wouldn’t have been too happy. Although I could ignore my weight, I didn’t want it photographed.

Growing up, I’d never been slim – as a teenager, my grandma remarked on my ‘thunder thighs’, a comment that hurt. But I was always sporty and, at 5ft 3in, I was happy as a size 12. In 1991 when I was 21, I met Andy and two years later, in 1993, we had Amy. I never quite shifted my baby weight. Then, in December 2003, I lost my dad to lung cancer. Devastated, I sought comfort in food. My weight crept up and I couldn’t seem to control it.