I’m lighter now than I was on my wedding day, and it’s made such a difference to my life
Cath Weller, 50, became a midlife style guru (@mrsaddtobasket on Instagram) following a recent style and weight-loss transformation. She is an ambassador for Alicat Jewellery, Balance Me skincare and the fashion brand Wyse, and director of commercial property for Pobl, a housing association. She lives in the Mumbles in Swansea with her husband Matt and labrador Margot
Inever saw myself as overweight or fat, but I knew I was heavier than I should be. I spent a lot of time worrying about what to wear. I’d think, “I hate my bust, how can I make it look smaller?” I tried Weight Watchers, Slimming World and the Cambridge Diet, but nothing ever stuck. The weight would always creep back on.
Then, in April 2020, I started doing some Joe Wicks exercises, and my breasts became so tender that I thought about having a reduction. It made me think about my weight, so I checked my BMI (body mass index) and realised that, at 10st 10lbs with a BMI of 27, I was overweight. It was a wake-up call.
The soreness was due to being perimenopausal; I was experiencing other symptoms, too, like hot flushes and hormonal acne.
This time, when I decided to lose weight, I wasn’t motivated by how I looked, but by my health and how I felt.
I was chatting regularly to a friend at the time who was following Petronella Ravenshear’s The Human Being Diet, losing weight and feeling good about herself. She sounded really happy and enthusiastic. It was as if more than the physical weight had lifted. So I bought the book, and I devoured it.
It resonated with me so much that I began to be interested in the science of losing weight during the menopause; I researched gut health and hormonal balance, and read lots of other books about food and health. It was the spark that changed my relationship with food.
Now, I’ve trained my brain so that I automatically make healthier choices. I understand my body more now.
To keep on track, I use two apps, FitTrack and My Fitness Pal. I’ve also got FitTrack smart scales, and I weigh myself on a weekly basis. Smart scales do more than just measure your overall body weight – they also track other health indicators like your BMI, bodyfat percentage, bone mass, muscle weight, body-water levels, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. I use My Fitness Pal to track what I eat every day. When I make a note of what I eat, I find that it really helps me to make more conscious choices.
I also post about my progress on Instagram. Finding a community of women who cheer each other on, both online and in person, has helped keep me motivated.
I lost about 2st 10lbs, and I’ve maintained that weight loss for 18 months. I was a size 14, and now I’m a size 8-10 and the lightest I’ve been since I was 18. I’m lighter now than I was on my wedding day, and it’s made such a difference to me. I am less bloated, I don’t get hormonal acne; my relationship with food has changed. I feel positive, and I’ve got lots of energy – enough for two jobs.
Becoming more confident about my body and in myself has opened up new opportunities, like working with the designer Marielle Wyse. I used to wear only dark-coloured clothes and V-necks and spend so much time thinking about hiding my body. Now, I can comfortably and confidently wear whatever I want. I don’t feel restricted, and feel free to choose colourful, fitted and patterned clothes. In turn, I love supporting and helping other women to feel fantastic about themselves.
We often think of 50 as an age when we should be slowing down, but 50 has been my best year ever. Women of my age can feel forgotten or hidden, and it can be hard when your children fly the nest. But I see it as a time for me. My husband is incredibly supportive and proud of me.
My advice to anyone who feels stuck or is struggling to shift an extra stone would be to take time for yourself, and to think about both your physical and emotional wellbeing. I’d also say to be curious in life, and open to new experiences. If a door gets opened, take that step and connect with people. If I hadn’t been curious and open to changing my diet, I wouldn’t be where I am today.