Don't let me be fat at 50; Life Style Janet Tansley talks to a woman who is using this year to help recreate herself.

Byline: Janet Tansley

MUM of one Val Williams has only one wishas she prepares to blow out the candles on her birthday cake...

Not to be fat at 50.

And she's already well on her way to having it granted.

Val from Bebington took out a new 'season pass' with her local Weight Watchers' group in January and she's lost a stone in the first month!

"I am really pleased," says Val, manager of the Bank of America in Chester. "I joined with my friend, Wendy, who is 40 next year and we plan to do do something every month to celebrate our milestone year, culminating in a cruise.

"I want to lose about seven stone so that's one down already." Val, who's 50 in December 2008, admits she's had a weight problem ever since the birth of her son David, now16.

And, while she has lost the excess weight once, family trauma caused her to pile the pounds back on.

"I lost a lot of weight in 2000-2001," says Val, "but then I lost my mum.

"I lost complete focus and took it out on myself, comfort eating. Then Wendy's mum died last year, and it's hard to get back on track."

Wendy joined Weight Watchers just before Christmas but Val decided it was time for a new her in the new year.

She says: "I wanted to lose weight before I was 50.

"We all like to think we're still a bit of a spring chicken but while we want to bounce around it's easier said than done. The mind's willing but the body is not!"

Val is conscious that weight can take its toll on things like blood pressure and cholesterol.

"I just think I have punished myself enough now and it's time to do something else for me."

Val is adamant that she hasn't got one main weakness: "It's not chocolate that's my downfall or McDonald's, it's everything," she smiles.

"And while other people say they find it easy I have to own up to that fact that I find it hard. You often have people who say they find it easy to lose weight and they are never hungry -well, I don't and I am!"

But she finds inspiration from her Weight Watchers' leader Brenda Palmer who encouraged Val to take out a season pass where members pay for three months and get three weeks' free.

Says Brenda: "The idea is that a person commits to us and we guarantee to get them to their first goal within that period or at least make a huge dent in it.

"And because they have paid 'up front' if you like, they are encouraged to come and are more consistent. I'm really proud of Val and Wendy, who's lost 22lb."

With one stone gone and six more to lose, Val has set herself a realistic time in which to lose the weight before her fiftieth birthday.

And if things continue to go to plans he will definitely not be fat at 50 - just fab!

Val attends Brenda's Weight Watcher's class at Town Lane Infant School, Higher Bebington, meeting every Thursdayat6.30pm. Call 0845345 1500.

CAPTION(S):

ONE DOWN: Val Williams has already lost a stone since joining a slimming class in January