Colchester pensioner, 72, sheds seven stone thanks to Slimming World

It was the spring of 2019 – Wednesday, April 24 to be precise – and Mrs Clough, then 70 and weighing 17st 8lbs, walked past Colchester’s Slimming World just as she would have any other day of the week.

But the former nurse, who lives on Buffet Way in Greenstead, took the plunge on impulse two years ago, walking straight into the Slimming World with neither appointment nor preparation.

She said: “I was just walking, and I went past Slimming World – I just had the courage to walk in, and I’ve never looked back since.

“I was gobsmacked with what I was told what my weight was – my dress sizes kept going up and up, and I just thought ‘I can’t go on like this’.”

“I just had to do something about it.”

It was not by any means Mrs Clough’s lack of willpower that had resulted in her putting on weight, however.

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A string of health problems, including two strokes, and diagnoses of bronchiectasis and cellulitis, meant Mrs Clough was put on medication which was a major factor in her weight gain.

“I was on a lot of steroids, and I was just blowing up, and up, and up,” Mrs Clough said.

As with all weight-loss drives, though, Mrs Clough had to give up some of her favourites.

“I don’t eat potatoes, or chips, or bread, and I don’t eat butter – I might have the odd cake, but not like I used to,” she said.

“I’ve got so much more confidence.”

Mrs Clough worked as a nurse, regularly worked 70-hour weeks at Mile End and Essex County Hospital.

Mrs Clough retired in 2011 after having two strokes, but ten years on she is as active as she has ever been, going to the gym three times a week.

But there is one, perhaps unexpected downside to all Mrs Clough’s efforts.

“I have to keep buying new clothes now,” she said. “I’m not sure I want to lose a lot more!”