‘Now I look and feel the part’
Gaynelle Samuel, 60, lives in London.
Smoothing down my smart, tailored dress, I walked through the airport, full of excitement. As an international trade union officer, overseas conferences were all part of the job. But only a couple of years earlier, I’d felt quite differently about flying off to mix with high-level delegates.
For most of my adult life, I’d been a size 14, then when I was 38, doctors discovered a polyp in my nose. Thankfully, it turned out to be benign, but as I was recovering from the surgery to remove it, I used food to help make myself feel better. As I gradually went up the dress sizes and my clothing choices narrowed, I found it harder to be as well-presented.
I’d been having problems with my knees for years, and in 2015, on a girls’ trip to Derbyshire, they hurt so much I could barely climb the stairs. My GP suggested that a walking stick might help, so now instead of carrying a stylish handbag, I had to use a rucksack. My style was being dictated by my health, and since I was already worried about looking unprofessional, it felt like a real blow.
A year later, during a flare-up of pain, I ended up being admitted to hospital. This time, I didn’t bounce back as quickly. While housebound, I gained another stone.
Denne historien er fra July 06, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 06, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you don’t have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice
THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE WITH CANCER
More than 12,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours each year in the UK. Two mums tell us how the cruel disease changed their lives forever
DAWN NEESOM MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on marriage, tea and Absolutely Fabulous!
TRAPPED INSIDE MY HOME WITH A MONSTER
Gemma Williams, 46, thought she'd die at the hands of her partner
AMANDA TO REPLACE CAT?
With increasing criticism directed at the This Morning host, are producers ready to call in a familiar face?
Get the GOSS
Your round-up of this week's biggest showbiz stories