Not Such A Big Birthday!

My weight loss has helped to take decades off my age...

- Jenny Overington, 50, from Haverhill, Suffolk

Spooning the sweet, hot apple crumble into my mouth, it melted on my tongue. This was my favourite time of day...dessert time!

I always had room for pud.

I had a big appetite, and an even bigger waistline.

Aged 20, I weighed 15st 7lb, too big for my 5ft 6in height.

As a kid, I’d gobbled the same portion sizes as my two older brothers.

Throughout my 20s, I’d have hefty portions, then scoff a dessert as well.

But with my ballooning bod, it was hard to find clothes. So my pals wore the latest trends, while I was in shapeless clothes.

I looked like a frumpy old woman, but I was too lazy to change it.

Aged 29, I started seeing Ian, 32. I’d known him for years through friends.

‘You’re gorgeous, inside and out,’ he’d tell me.

My weight fluctuated and, by 30, I weighed 14½st. Although not the heaviest

I’d been, with my double chin, wobbly thighs and bingo wings, I looked far older than my age.

‘I must lose weight,’ I told Ian.

We were due to get married in May 1997, just months away. I knew I had my work cut out.

But I persevered and cut out sweet treats and big portions, instead eating salad, chicken.

I managed to lose 1st for the big day.

It was hardly enough, but I squeezed into my beautiful, ivory gown nonetheless.

As the excitement of the wedding died down, I soon fell back into my old ways.