We’ve lost our lockdown love handles and so can you… free with WW Weight Watchers Reimagined

Struggling with uncertainty, loneliness or boredom, many of us have sought comfort in food and drink in recent months. 

Indeed, according to a survey published last week by WW Weight Watchers Reimagined, half of us have gained weight during lockdown.

This comes at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has already put our national obesity crisis in the spotlight. 

Those who are obese — or have Type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to weight gain — are at a far higher risk of dying from Covid-19, and the Prime Minister is now considering introducing radical measures to reduce the nation’s waistline. 

These include prescribing WW membership to those who are struggling with their weight. 

The WW programme, which is based on Smartpoints rather than calorie counting, has a proven track record.

And starting tomorrow, the Daily Mail has teamed up with WW to come up with an exclusive summer eating plan which can help you lose a stone by autumn while still enjoying delicious recipes.

Take inspiration from these four men and women who’ve managed to lose their lockdown love handles without feeling in any way deprived . . .

‘I hated being overweight’

Clare Kingan is a 30-year-old teaching assistant who lives in Brighton.

Lockdown weight loss: 1st

Clareweighed 21st at her heaviest

Clare Kingan, a 30-year-old teaching assistant who lives in Brighton, lost 1st during lockdown having weighed 21st at her heaviest

I was dreading life in lockdown. 

With the gym shut, I was worried I would put on weight again and undo all my hard work.

But I ended up losing a stone and have learned some valuable life lessons, too.

I’ve struggled with my weight since my teens — at my heaviest, I weighed 21st (I’m 5ft 7in).

One important change was taking time to plan my meals. 

Although I was still working, it was only in the mornings, so I had time to experiment with recipes and make healthy food swaps — using low-fat cheese instead of full-fat, for instance.

I also made the most of my daily exercise outings by walking four miles a day, and did regular online Body Pump classes.

All in all, I really enjoyed having the time to focus on myself and my health — and, of course, I am delighted to have dropped another stone.

‘I banished snacks from our home’ 

Tracy Gough, 43, who works for a shirt-maker, lives in Chard, Somerset, with her husband, Paul, and their three sons, aged 25, 22 and 19.

Lockdown weight loss: 9½ lb

Tracy Gough, 43, who works for a shirt-maker, lives in Chard, Somerset, with her husband, Paul, and their three sons, aged 25, 22 and 19.

Tracy had previously lost 8st on WW

Tracy Gough, 43, who works for a shirt-maker and lives in Chard, Somerset, with her husband, Paul, and their three sons, aged 25, 22 and 19, lost 9.5lb

At the start of lockdown I put on 7lb in two weeks. I was furloughed, my gym closed, and I found myself snacking.

I’d previously lost nearly 8st with WW, so I decided to give the live virtual WW workshops a go, and found them a great source of support.

I banished all the unhealthy snacks and bought a weighted hula hoop. At first I could manage only five minutes but I’m up to 30 minutes a day, three times a week.

I’ve lost 9½ lb and now weigh 12st 4lb and am a size 12-14. I’ve learned new healthy habits as well as losing weight. I’ve also learned to be kinder to myself — if you have a bad day, there’s always tomorrow.’

‘I’m in better shape than ever’

Maxine Matsuura, 36, is a forensic scientist who lives in Swindon, Wilts. 

Lockdown weight loss: 6lb

Maxine Matsuura, 36, is a forensic scientist who lives in Swindon, Wilts

Maxine lost 6lb

Maxine Matsuura, 36, is a forensic scientist who lives in Swindon, Wilts, says she is in better shape now than she was before lockdown

I’m probably in better shape now than I was before lockdown. 

I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to keep my weight in check, particularly when my gym closed. But I made a determined effort not to slip back into bad habits.

I organised a vegetable box delivery, and made sure I didn’t have fattening food in the house. I also found online workouts to do.

At my biggest, I was 3st heavier than I am now — I never want to go back to that. 

My wife worried about my health 

Gareth Rogers, 47, is a sales manager who lives in Glasgow with his wife Alison, 46, and two children.

Lockdown weight loss: 4st 7lb

Gareth Rogers, 47, is a sales manager who lives in Glasgow with his wife Alison, 46, and two children

Gareth was 23st 5lb before lockdown

Gareth Rogers, 47, a sales manager who lives in Glasgow with his wife Alison, 46, and two children, lost 4st 7lb during lockdown

At 23st 5lb, I was very overweight, and my wife was worried about my health as it became clear I was in the high-risk group for coronavirus. 

So I signed up to WW a week before lockdown.

My job usually involves a lot of driving, so I was constantly eating crisps and chocolates.

Lockdown stopped all that — and gave me precious time to form healthy eating habits and exercise.

I plan to lose another 3st but WW has taught me a new way of life, not a quick fix.