Get the full story for free in the Morning Mail newsletter HERE Plus the latest headlines and best stories, delivered to your inbox Stay updated on news, analysis and brilliant features in one five-minute readBy DAILY MAIL REPORTER Published: 10:00 BST, 2 July 2026 | Updated: 10:18 BST, 2 July 2026
Five years ago, aged 57, I couldn’t believe what I saw in the mirror. Despite never having been slim (I was nicknamed Michelin Man as a toddler), years of being a restaurant critic and running a business had taken their toll, and I weighed 13½st, which at 5ft 6in made me a size 16. I hadn’t been 9st since my teens, and I wondered if that was even possible any more.Over the next 18 months I completely reset my life and lost nearly 5st. While I did periodically fall off the wagon, I was surprised how quickly I saw results once I stuck to a clear process. My husband and sons were doubtful that their bon viveur of a mother would be able to change, but supported me nonetheless. Friends didn’t recognise me in the street.Now, at 62, I have a metabolic age of 46 and am in the best shape of my life physically and mentally. I hover round 9st, and wear a size 10, sometimes an 8. And the lifestyle changes I made are simpler than you may think.To read the rest of this story, subscribe to Morning Mail to get the full paywalled article FREE of charge in Friday's newsletter. Want to stay up to date on the Daily Mail's breaking news, best stories of the day and overnight reporting?In the Morning Mail newsletter, we bring together the latest headlines, incisive commentary and great reads right to your inbox every day at 7am for FREE.Sign up to Morning Mail HERE, and stay up to date on the fast-moving news cycle in one five-minute read - all before breakfast, and stay up to date on the fast-moving news cycle in one five-minute read - all before breakfast.
