She is the nation’s favourite TV presenter but Lorraine Kelly says she felt unable to step out with confidence after going up two dress sizes during the pandemic.
Lorraine, 62, found herself comfort eating during the lockdowns before she realised the weight had “crept up” over the last couple of years.
She has joined WW, formerly Weight Watchers, in a bid to get back to her ideal weight.
Lorraine said: “If somebody said there was a big party, I’d think I don’t think I really want to go.
“I did go to a thing before Christmas in a black stretchy dress. There was nothing wrong with it but I didn’t feel fine. Only people in the same boat would probably get that.
“It’s not about weight or how much space you take up in the world. It’s just about how you feel.
“For me, joining WW is going to be about getting back into my clothes and feeling healthier and having more stamina.”
Lorraine is using a WW app that tracks nutrition, hydration and sleep patterns, in her bid to get back to her pre-pandemic size 10.
She said: “It’s because I’m not feeling as healthy as I should be and also I’ve gone from a size 10 pre-pandemic to a size 14. I can’t get into any clothes that I like.
“I’ve been comfort eating, the weight has just crept up. The vast majority of people did what I did, not exercising and sitting in front of Netflix eating too much.
“You look back at the last two years and it’s just like this big grey blob.
“It was purely the world turning upside down and routine going out of the window. Everything was fine and then, wham!
“You’re coming home and putting on your elasticated waistband trousers.
"I’ve drawn the line at size 14. I don’t want to go to size 16 because for someone like me at just 5ft 4in that’s not healthy.”
Feeling positive about her weight plan, Lorraine added: “There is a good WW community who all support each other. You see written down how much you are eating.
“Before, I was eating rubbish, unbelievable amounts of chocolate, biscuits and cheese plates at night. No wonder I was having weird dreams.”
She says using WW’s fitness app will help her bid to shed the pounds without having to step on the scales.
“With WW, it’s not Weight Watchers any more. The emphasis is more about health,” Lorraine said.
“The emphasis on scales is no more. It’s about the whole package. You don’t need to weigh yourself. If you do you can put it in the app and it’s private. I’m going to go by my dress size.
“People are rightly more respectful these days of diversity of body shape. Nobody should ever say, ‘You should look like this.’
“It is about being healthy, being happy. I just need a wee hand.”
Having started her WW journey a week ago, Lorraine is already feeling the benefits.
She added: “I feel better already. I have more energy. That’s what it’s all about for me. It’s about health and feeling happy in yourself.
“People say, ‘You’re fine,’ but because I put the weight on slowly it hasn’t registered with them.
“I look back at photographs of myself before the pandemic and I see that I was doing OK. I want to get back to that girl and that feeling. I needed a wee bit of support because I know what to eat and what not to eat.
“But having recipes and people to talk to in the chat room, to people in the same boat helps me.”
She is hoping she’ll soon be able to step into her favourite red dress and has the support of husband Steve Smith and daughter Rosie, 27.
Lorraine said: “The family want me to feel better. Steve doesn’t care as long as I’m happy.”
She is cutting out the snacks and treats between meals and cuts down on red meat as part of her plan.
She said: “It’s more about cutting down than cutting out but I’m not eating as much red meat as I did. I’m not sitting there glowering into a lettuce leaf.
“I have exactly the same as Steve and Rosie and her boyfriend James when they are over. I just have a smaller portion but not necessarily.
“It is just about cutting down things like processed food. Steve is making vegetable curries instead of a chicken curry or beef and we’re eating a lot more fish.
“I’m going to cut down on things like the red meat and also the chocolate at night and the cheese boards and toasted cheese because that is just comfort food and it’s daft.”
Natural exercise has also been added to Lorraine’s plan, including going for walks with her dog Angus.
She said: “For me it is more about getting out with Angus in the fresh air and listening to music I like.
"Instead of comfort food I go for comfort music like The Smiths and The Cure and The Stranglers, all the stuff from my youth.”
Despite her early starts for ITV, she is determined to get more sleep.
She said: “Things like not drinking enough water and sleeping was an issue but it is a real eye-opener when you write down how much sleep you’re getting.
“This, however, is tried and tested and it works. I just need a little help.”
Lorraine Kelly has joined WW as a new ambassador. #joinLorraine on her weight loss and wellness journey with WW, where you can enjoy the foods you love with no restrictions.
To be your best self while still losing weight, visit ww.com/uk/ambassadors/lorraine-kelly and get 50% off.
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