I'm fitter in my 60s THAN MY 40s!

Kate Dallas-Wood used her milestone birthday as inspiration to change her life

- MICHELLE RAWLINS

As I neared the park, six smiling faces came into view and I found myself picking up the pace to join them. Meeting friends from my Slimming World group, for our regular Tuesday evening walk, had become a real highlight of my week. As we walked and chatted, I marvelled at how far I’d come. Just a few months ago, a brisk lap of the park would have left me gasping for breath. Now, I genuinely felt fitter and more energetic in my 60s than I had done in my 40s.

I’d gone into my 20s as a size 14 and, at 5ft 6in, I’d always assumed that it was my ‘natural’ size. I’d then gained weight while I had my hands full with my son, Alex, and stepchildren, Craig and Kirsty. As the children grew and I could devote more time to my career, I did lots of wining and dining as part of my job. The numbers on my clothes labels went up, and I also noticed my joints ached when I walked. Wanting to be a healthy role model for our children, I joined Slimming World.

Back to old habits

I was thrilled when I lost 4st, and reached my target weight and got back to a size 14. Though I knew I could now attend the group for free as a target member, I felt I’d achieved what I’d set out to do and no longer needed to go along. And that’s when things began to slip. Juggling the kids’ activities and work, I began skipping breakfast altogether and would pick up a meal-deal cheese sandwich with crisps and chocolate or biscuits for lunch. I’d get home worn out and, more often than not, I’d throw a pizza in the oven for dinner, or order a takeaway vegetable korma or chow mein with samosas or spring rolls.