(Updated September 2017.)

I'm 63, married, female, British, and early-retired. I was overweight and struggled to keep weight down for most of my life, and I got flat feet and bad knees, probably largely due to the overweight. Then I joined FS in 2015....

I had been 'maintaining' at about 12 stones (168lbs, 76.5kg) for about 10 years, but then after a holiday in the USA, I found I'd put on another 10 lbs, getting up from a comfy chair was hard work, and my big belly was starting to make it difficult to tie my shoe laces! So I thought: 'time to act'.

I started on FS in June 2015, when my weight was 178lbs (12st 10lbs, or 80.7kg). I just planned to lose as much as I could over the summer, but then due to joining challenges and meeting supportive buddies on the site, I realised that at last I had found the motivation I needed to continue long-term and get down to a healthy weight.

After 2 years: about 42 pounds lost (3 stones/19kg), dropped three clothing sizes, and about 7-8 inches off my waist. Also, tons more energy gained, and I now go walking regularly, and find stairs and standing easier. Also, met a lot of wonderful people through this site, who give me loads of support, motivation, inspiration, laughs and a dazzling array of information! Thanks, all!

I lost weight by counting calories and in stages, as that fitted in better with my life. Also did a modified version of 5:2 for a while to speed up the rate of loss. I'm now at a healthy weight that I'm happy with (Sept 2017). There will be no going back!

Update January 2018: I finally got to a weight this month that I'm truly happy with, at 132/133lbs, and no plans to lose any more 😀 Still using FS when needed to help me maintain, though!

September 2023: still using this site to help maintain!