One of UK's oldest slimmers proves it's never too late to lose weight

Betty Lodge aged 99, is one of the UK’s oldest slimmers and has been attending Slimming World accompanied by care workers, for the last three months.

Betty, who lives at The New Deanery Care Home in Bocking, Essex, revealed she had a “model figure” until she was 90.

She said: “I became less active when I was 90 and started putting on weight. I’m in a wheelchair now and it’s difficult to get much exercise. Going to a slimming club helps with my objective to lose weight.”

Before Christmas she had already lost six lbs of the stone she wants to lose, by cutting out potatoes and bread with her meals, although she allowed herself a few treats over Christmas.

The New Deanery’s chef Paul Westall and his catering team have been helping her on her weight shedding quest by giving her lower calorie snacks and desserts.

Betty, who will be 100 in June, moved to Braintree with her late husband over 40 years ago, previously training as a hairdresser in Wardour Street, London. She has a daughter, two granddaughters and five great grandchildren.

Julia Clinton, chief executive of Sonnet Care Homes which runs The New Deanery and neighbouring St Mary’s Court, has also been attending Slimming World, along with home manager Jane Sadowski and administrator Diana Russell, with the trio succeeding in losing six stone between them.

After Betty and some of the residents said they were also uncomfortable with their weight, the staff invited them to join them at the slimming club.

Diana Russell said; “Our residents are definitely outshining us and they are all losing weight steadily.”

In December, Sonnet chef Paul Westall won the Diet, Nutrition and Hydration Award for the second year running at the Essex County Council Prosper awards, and activities manager Jo Whitehouse and her team won the award for Activities and Wellbeing.