How walking SAVED MY LIFE

Claire Ferris had spent decades battling with her weight, but something had to change

- JENNY ACKLAND

They say the longest journey begins with a single step, and until fairly recently, every time my journey began, I would give up before I got to where I needed to be.

Taking the first step wasn't a problem, it was the keeping going that I wrestled with - especially when it came to losing weight.

My husband Gareth and I always loved our afternoon walks, but as I put on my trainers in November 2019, I struggled to fit my feet into them.

I'd been a size seven my whole life, but after gaining a lot of weight, my feet had swollen up so much I could no longer push them into my shoes. I knew there and then it was time for change.

On my wedding day in 2002, I felt happy wearing my size-16 dress. I told myself that size didn't matter. Who cared if I was on the plump side? I was marrying the man I loved, and he always told me how beautiful I was.

But as I looked at the wedding photos afterwards, I wished I'd slimmed down. At 15st and 5ft 7in, I had to admit I was obese.

So I decided to join Slimming World, and over the course of a year, I managed to lose 4st. I felt fabulous, wearing a size 10-12 and weighing 11st. I was really proud of myself for sticking to the diet.

And it wasn't just healthy eating that kept the weight off. Walking played a huge part in maintaining my new slim figure. Gareth and I loved our walking holidays in the Peaks and the Lake District.

A few times a year, we'd get away for a few weeks and embrace the fresh air and freedom that walking gave us.