Octogenarian Anne celebrates maintaining 6st weight loss for 14 years

A retired teacher from North Yorkshire is proving that age is no barrier to healthy living, after winning an award for maintaining her impressive 6st 2.5lbs (39.2kg) weight loss for 14 years.

Anne Day, 82, who’s been named Slimming World’s Diamond Member of the Year 2025, says for years her weight was holding her back from truly living life to the full. It wasn’t until her brother-in-law – a retired doctor – saw her struggling with a chest infection and suggested that losing weight could improve her health that Anne decided it was time to make a change – for good.

Anne, who at her heaviest weighed nearly 17st, says she’d been overweight all her life: “For as long as I can remember, my weight was something I’d worry about. I had tried various diets over the years, including being put on a restricted plan by the college surgery during my teacher training back in 1961 – nothing ever worked though.

“After having my two sons, my weight continued to creep up. I managed to lose weight at times, however keeping it off was always the hard part. Everything I tried felt too restrictive, which made it difficult to stick to anything long term.”

Anne says she felt she’d lost control of her weight and eventually stopped weighing herself to avoid facing up to her size: “I’d become so unhealthy that I hated what I saw in the mirror. I’d do anything to avoid being photographed or catching my reflection in a shop window while out and about. I even gave up swimming – something I’d always loved doing – as I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone seeing me in my costume, or even seeing myself in one. I knew I needed to start looking after myself when my health started suffering too.”

In April 2010, Anne decided to join her local Slimming World group after getting a leaflet through her door. She says: “I had heard of Slimming World through a lady at the monthly lunch group I go to. She had been recommended by her doctor and was seeing fantastic results. So, I felt confident that it could work for me too.”

Anne continues: “I’ll always remember the welcome I received from my Consultant, Christine, and the other members in the group, that first day. I was so anxious and worried about being judged about my weight, however, I immediately felt safe and accepted. Being treated with such respect and grace confirmed I’d made the best decision – it’s one of the reasons why I continue to go all these years later.”

On her first day at the group, Anne set the target weight she wanted to achieve and hasn’t looked back since. She says: “I was dreading stepping on the scales and felt ashamed when I saw that I weighed nearly 17st. Christine was great at reassuring me everything was confidential and that nobody would be judging me – and she was right. Everyone in the group was so welcoming and it felt nice to be in a space where everyone was rooting for one another. Listening to everyone talk about their own journeys gave me the encouragement I needed that first week.”

Having left the first group feeling inspired, Anne was able to get stuck straight into Slimming World’s healthy eating plan. She says: “Food Optimising was massive breath of fresh air. I loved how much freedom there was – as there were so many foods I could eat without weighing or counting them – and that I was still eating a balanced diet. I’ve always loved cheese and could easily overindulge at times, so knowing I could still enjoy it, just in measured amounts, made the plan easier to follow – and stick to.”

Anne continues: “Cooking has always brought me joy, and my husband Anthony and I grow our own fruit and vegetables – which we love using to try new recipes from the Slimming World cookbooks I’ve collected over the years. Having fresh, seasonal ingredients at our fingertips, and cooking healthy meals from scratch every day has helped me stay committed to eating well. It makes it more exciting too, I like to experiment with different ways of cooking some of my favourite recipes, like a fish pie or pasta bolognese, too. I also buy a copy of the Slimming World Magazine each month and enjoy picking out different recipes to try, and I love scrolling through the app for new ideas too.”

After reaching her target weight in 2011, and with the help of Slimming World’s Slim for Life plan – a personalised programme designed to help members move confidently from weight loss to weight maintenance – Anne felt she had the structure and support she needed to sustain her weight loss for 14 years. 

Anne says: “Being surrounded by people who genuinely understood what I was going through kept me motivated throughout my journey – especially when I reached my target weight and needed that extra support. My Consultant now, Helen, is great at helping me break down any barriers and finding the right balance to maintain my weight loss – I can enjoy a holiday or a meal out, without worrying about what I’m eating or restricting myself.

Slimming World’s physical activity support programme was a great tool to help Anne maintain her health and stay active well into her 80s. She says: “As I started losing weight, I felt confident enough to get moving at a pace I was comfortable at.

“I used to enjoy cycling and playing tennis – and while those activities have slowed down, I still like to keep active. These days, I spend time gardening and do my exercises in our hot tub each evening. I love swimming too, and I no longer hide away from being seen in my costume. I walk everywhere now, and volunteer at the local village hall, where I help with setting up for different community events. I’ve always enjoyed making my own clothes too, and now I get real sense of joy from wearing the things I make, rather than making clothes for comfort.

“Losing weight has truly set me free – joining Slimming World was the best decision I made for myself. I’m no longer hiding away from photos, I’m wearing more colourful, exciting clothes, and I’m the healthiest and fittest I’ve ever been, even at 82. I want to keep enjoying each day as it comes for as long as I can – and thanks to Slimming World, I feel like I can!”

You can view a video of Anne’s story here.

VITAL STATS:

Name: Anne Day 
Age: 82
Height: 5ft 8ins/173cm
Starting weight: 16st 10lbs/234lbs/106.1kg
Current weight: 10st 7.5lbs/147.5lbs/66.9kg
Weight loss: 6st 2.5lbs/86.5lbs/39.2kg   
Dress size before: 24
Dress size now: 14
Date joined Slimming World: April 2010
Date achieved target: March 2011
Time at target: 14 years

Group: Anne attends the Leyburn group, which is run by Consultant Helen Dinsdale, and was previously run by Consultant Christine Spencer and Annette Wing.

Before menu
Breakfast: A large bowl of cereal with milk and sugar, or porridge with golden syrup, or two slices of toast with marmalade or honey
Lunch: Tinned soup or a cheeseboard with chutney or salad with full- fat mayonnaise and bread, and a glass of cider
Dinner: Roast chicken with skin and fat left on, roasted potatoes using oil, butter-coated vegetables
Snacks: Biscuits with black coffee, tea with a piece of cake or a scone with butter and jam, followed with biscuits, homemade fruit crumble with sugar or syrup and ice cream. Glass of white wine or gin and tonic

After menu
Breakfast: Fresh fruit, with wholegrain cereal followed by two fried eggs and sliced tomatoes with a cup of black coffee
Lunch: Homemade vegetable soup or mixed salad, or beans on toast with reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
Dinner: Homemade fish pie or roast dinner, Slimming World chips or beef pasta bolognese using 5% fat beef
Snacks: Black coffee with a biscuit or homegrown fruit with fat-free natural yogurt, non-alcoholic gin or small glass of white wine