Although Rosemary was an average weight as a child, she started to put on puppy fa, and went on her first diet at 16. Rosemary dieted again 3 years later before her wedding, when she reached her slimmest. Since then, Rosemary’s weight has fluctuated, especially motivated by occasions like weddings or holidays. Although she has never been very overweight, Rosemary would like to lose weight as she feels sluggis and not as attractive when she is heavier. Whilst losing weight is a vanity thin, Rosemary is also aware of the impact of weight on health. She is conscious of developing type 2 diabetes, as other members of her family have, as well as other weight-related conditions. Maintaining mobility is another concern for Rosemary as she gets older, I have a long-standing back problem and I know that weight is, exacerbates degenerative disease of your joint.

Although Rosemary is well educated on nutrition, big portions, particularly of carbohydrates, are her downfal, I know what to eat and what not to eat and I do lots of exercise, but I really enjoy food like big volumes of food… I don’t mind if it’s not a varied diet, as long as I get that full feelin. Rosemary found working long shifts in a hospital encouraged bad eating habits, as she would come home tired and snack before preparing a proper meal. Rosemary also keeps cakes and biscuits in the house as she regularly has guests around, and finds herself snacking, particularly at night.

Rosemary has tried many diets over the years, from the cabbage soup diet, to liquid diets, to the alphabet diet. However, Rosemary has found weight management clubs to be the most effective diet for her, I personally am more compliant if there’s somebody weighing m. Indeed, Rosemary has lost weight successfully in the past through these groups, as she is much more vigilan over what she eats, reducing her portions and weighing her food. Rosemary also finds cutting out certain foods completely works for her, I don’t want to eat one biscuit, I want to eat the whole packet of biscuitsI find it easier if people were to give me a list and say, Right, you can’t eat any biscuits, you can’t eat any crispsrsquo. Rosemary also avoids situations like parties and eating out when dieting. However, Rosemary finds maintaining weight loss difficult, as she loses motivation once she has reached her goals; throughout much of her adulthood, Rosemary has followed a cycle of losing and gaining around 1.5 stone. Rosemary has found that since menopause, it is harder to lose weight.

Working as a research nurse, Rosemary was on her feet all day. Since retiring, Rosemary has been aware to remain active, and tracks her exercise on a Fitbit. Rosemary aims to walk at least 15,000 steps a day, which she does through going to the gym most days, and litter-picking each morning, it’s good for the community and it’s good for m. She also gardens, and cleans for her mother-law and her nephew.

Healthcare professionals have never raised the subject of weight with Rosemary, possibly because of her clinical background. Rosemary suggests that health professionals can be reluctant to discuss this with patients, we feel like we;re dictating to people what they should and shouldn’t d. However, she encourages them to bring weight into discussions wherever possible, something she used to do when working clinically. Indeed, doing this in the context of wider health conditions may be easier for doctors, and understanding the health implications of being overweight can in turn push individuals to manage their weight. Rosemary suggests that those with lower income should be encouraged to lose weight through free membership to weight loss support groups, I think people know that they need to lose weight but sometimes they just don’t know where to star.