Skip to main content
Access keys help
BBC logo
BBC News
mobiles
News services
Your news when you want it
Tape measure
As a report reveals rising obesity in England, and government advises on healthier lifestyles, those who have shed weight tell how they did it, and how it has changed them.
Tim Woolley, from Hemel Hempstead, is 17.
Tim Woolley, from Hemel Hempstead, is 17. Over 18 months he went from 16.5 to 11.5 stone by attending a slimming club and eating healthily - cutting out fast food and sweets.
Jo Hudson, of Middlesbrough
Jo Hudson lost seven stone in 18 months with the help of an organised diet plan: "It taught me that there are alternatives to calorie-laden foods, and they can taste just as good."
Zahid Ul-Hassan, 25, of Glasgow, weighed more than 19 stone. "I lost six stone by following Weight Watchers and going to the gym six times a week."
Zahid Ul-Hassan, 25, of Glasgow, weighed more than 19 stone. "I lost six stone by following a controlled diet and going to the gym six times a week."
Sandra Dibble has lost nearly four stone over two years through running and a weight-loss group. "With that elusive stone to lose, I do the Great South Run next month."
Sandra Dibble has lost nearly four stone over two years through running and a weight-loss group. "With that elusive stone to lose, I do the Great South Run next month."
Neill Christie-Hewitt "I was nearly 14 stone so I decided to take action. I cut out all the rubbish I was eating, cut out alcohol and started going to the gym. I lost three stone."
Neill Christie-Hewitt says: "I was nearly 14 stone so I decided to take action. I cut out all the rubbish I was eating, cut out alcohol and started going to the gym. I lost three stone."
Ailsa Jeffries has lost 11.5 stones since last September when she tried the Cambridge diet: "I was seriously considering stomach surgery but was frightened by the risks."
Ailsa Jeffries has lost 11.5 stones since last September with a diet plan: "I was seriously considering stomach surgery but was frightened by the risks."
Andrew Norris sent his work-pass photos: "I lost about 25 kilos (about 4 stone) over about four months by calorie counting and more regular exercise (daily 30-minute fast walking)."
Andrew Norris's work-pass photos: "I lost 25kg (about four stone) over four months by calorie counting and more regular exercise (daily 30-minute fast walking)."
Lisa Veal, 23, of Oxford, lost six-and-a-stone in six months: "The first photo was taken on Christmas day 2005 and the second photo was taken two weeks ago."
Lisa Veal, 23, of Oxford, lost six-and-a-half stone in six months: "The first photo was taken on Christmas Day 2005 and the second photo was taken two weeks ago."
Heavy rain
Total delugePope John Paul II
Self-flagellationGirl biting another girl
Wild daughtersNorthside bridge, Cumbria
Risky bridgesSt Winifred's School Choir
Back to Winifred'sCurry and rice
Daily Mini-QuizGabourey Sidibe as Precious
Web MonitorFacebook/Twitter
TweetbookChimneys silhouetted against the sun
Warming globeUS President Barack Obama and Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan Stanley McChrystal
Mardell's AmericaA man in the act of killing a buffalo
In picturesMost Popular Now | 29,214 people are reading stories on the site right now.
Quantcast
watch
One-Minute World News
Americas
Africa
Europe
Middle East
South Asia
Asia Pacific