I'm fitter at 80 than I was at 60

After a lifetime of yo-yo dieting, Anne Day found lasting success with Slimming World and has been named its Diamond Member of the Year 2025

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A retired teacher from North Yorkshire is proving that age is no barrier to healthy living - after winning an award for maintaining her impressive 6st 2.5lb (39.2kg) weight loss for 14 years.

Anne Day, 82, who's been named Slimming World's Diamond Member of the Year 2025, says for years her weight was holding her back from truly living life to the full. It wasn't until her brother-in-law - a retired doctor - saw her struggling with a chest infection and suggested losing weight could help that Anne decided it was time to make a change.

Anne, who at her heaviest weighed nearly 17st, says she'd been overweight all her life: "For as long as I can remember, my weight was something I'd worry about. I had tried various diets, including being put on a restricted plan during my teacher training back in 1961 - nothing ever worked though.

"After having my two sons, my weight continued to creep up. I managed to lose weight at times, however, keeping it off was the hard part. Everything I tried felt too restrictive, which made it difficult to stick to anything long term."

Anne says she felt she'd lost control of her weight and eventually stopped weighing herself to avoid facing up to her size: "I'd become so unhealthy that I hated what I saw in the mirror. I'd do anything to avoid being photographed or catching my reflection while out and about.

"I even gave up swimming - something I'd always loved doing - as I couldn't bear the thought of anyone seeing me in my costume, or even seeing myself in one. I knew I needed to do something when my health suffered."