All I wanted for Christmas was ANEW BODY

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

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.