How mind control keeps Denise thin
FORMER Corrie star Denise Welch has revealed she needs cognitive behaviour therapy to stop herself binge eating.
Denise, 58, lost two stone three years ago after piling on the pounds when she gave up booze. And she has kept it off by changing how she thinks about food – so she can easily say no to cake and pies.
Denise said: “When I gave up drinking I started to replace alcohol with food, especially sugar. People say diets don’t work – they do. But maintaining it is incredibly hard. It’s about changing your attitude to food. It was starting to rule my life in the way alcohol did.”
CBT is a talking therapy that can help to manage depression and addictions.
A t herapist talked Denise through how to change unhelpful t houghts and behaviour – so food was not a crutch.
She said: “CBT has given me the tools to keep weight off.Sometimes I need a top up and do it on the phone or visit my counsellor.” Former Loose Women star Denise lost her weight on the LighterLife diet plan, which includes CBT. She is an ambassador for the firm and holds strong beliefs on obesity.
She said: “Nobody wants to be 25 stone. They know they’re putting themselves in danger of heart attacks and diabetes but they are emotionally eating and nobody is getting to the bottom of it. When you’ve got people fat shaming, like Katie Hopkins, it doesn’t do any good as that’s why these people are eating like that.
“There is no magic pill for overweight people. You can’t lose weightg without an effort.” Denise, who is a size 12, now has a healthy approach t o eating and enjoys the odd treat. She said: “I am as greedy as
the next person. I have just been to Texas. Don’t think I didn’t indulge in the odd barbecue and chocolate puddings the size of a house.
“But I’m not eating in the way I did – secret eating to the point where I felt I was going to be sick. I go up and down by a few pounds but I’m in control.”
Mum-of-two Denise doesn’t weigh herself but just goes by how her clothes fit her. And she is more body confident than ever.
She said: “In my previous life if I was slim or thin I never felt I was deserving of it but now I take the compliment. I’m not stick th thin, I’m happy as a size 12 and con confident in my bikini.
“Wo “Women over the age of 50 shouldn shouldn’t have to hide away.”
Her weight loss has seen her life improveim in many ways, includin including easing the osteoarthritis in her knee and reducing her snorin snoring. She also gave up smokin smoking two years ago and is blissful blissfully happy with her husband of threethre years, artist Lincoln Townle Townley, 43. The pair even did a half m marathon, the Great Manch Manchester Run, in August.
Den Denise said: “There’s no compar comparison to how I feel both mentall mentally and physically now from before I sorted myself out. I’m appr approaching 60 and I feel bette ter than I did in my 30s.
“I’ve battled depression for 27 years but my battle has been reduced hugely since I’m not compoundi ing it with alcohol. I’m at a really good time in my lil i f e, personally and pr professionally.” D DENISE lost two stone in two months with LighterLife and h has been maintaining her w weight loss with Light LighterLife Fast. See light lighterlife.com.