Denise Welch: I feel better in my 50s than I did in my 20s as I control what I eat
PR Actress and TV presenter Denise Welch conquered her food demons
I never struggled with my weight until I gave up alcohol in 2012. I’ve always enjoyed a drink or two but wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, I decided to go teetotal, along with my husband Lincoln. It led to me developing a sweet tooth. Puddings had never tempted me but when I stopped drinking, I’d wolf down a starter and main course just to get to dessert.
If I wanted a second slice of cheesecake, I’d justify it by saying, “I deserve this because I’ve given up alcohol.”
I never struggled with my weight until I gave up alcohol in 2012 Denise Welch
What I didn’t realise at the time was that I’d swapped one addiction for another. I gained 2st in a year but with my wedding to Lincoln set for July 2013, I was determined not to be a fat bride, so I joined LighterLife that May. Sticking to just 600 calories a day was really hard at first but I adapted to my new regime quickly and lost 5lb in the first week.
GETTY I never struggled with my weight until I gave up alcohol in 2012
Denise Welch flaunts her figure in a yellow bikini Thu, August 25, 2016 Denise Welch proudly poses in her bikini to show off her recent weight loss. Play slideshow 1 of 9
I’d have porridge or a shake for breakfast, soup for lunch and spaghetti bolognese for dinner. I lost 2st in two months and walked down the aisle a size 10. Now that I’m at a weight I’m happy with, I maintain my figure using LighterLife Fast, reducing my calorie intake to between 600-800 calories per day, two days a week. If I need to lose a few more pounds before a big holiday or after Christmas, then I might fast for three days a week.