SPRINTING up the stairs to the rooftop terrace for our photo shoot, 60-year-old Barbara Edmunds leaves her grandchildren – and the rest of the crew – lagging far behind. With seemingly limitless energy she's got the stamina of a woman half her age.

But, she says, that wasn't always the case. Only 12 months ago the grandmother-of-three from Irlam hardly left the comfort of her sofa, she felt so overweight and unhealthy.

“I used to be like one of those old steam trains, puffing along,” she laughs. “Now I'm like a modern express, speeding ahead.”

Like many of us, Barbara started her quest to be slimmer in the summer. Not to fit into the latest holiday bikinis, however – but to spring clean her health.

Weighing in at 13st 4lb the petite former hairdresser was suffering from a host of health problems, including ulcers on her legs and poor circulation. A visit to the doctor showed her Body Mass Index (a common health indicator worked out using your height and weight) was a shocking 33. Compared to the recommended healthy measurement of between 18.5 and 25.

Feeling dowdy and depressed, she decided enough was enough and last July vowed to turn her health around.

Scheme

“I was about to turn 60 and I started thinking about my mum at this age,” she recalls. “She died when she was just 69 after complications from diabetes and I didn't want my children and grandchildren to go through what I had to then if something happened to me.

“I've tried losing weight before – I've done everything from the Grapefruit Diet to WeightWatchers – and while I have lost a few pounds they have never stayed off. But I knew the way I was going I was heading straight for a heart attack.

“I went to my doctor to say I was worried about my weight and impact it was having on my health and not long after found out about the NHS Health Wise scheme.”

Health Wise is one of a number of similar schemes run by the NHS across Greater Manchester, designed to help tackle obesity. Using common sense measures, and practical advice, it covers everything to help you manage your weight using a combination of diet and exercise.

Without faddy diets or expensive gym memberships too. In fact, the 12-week programme is completely free for people referred by their doctor.

Enrolling in September last year, Barbara says she picked up countless helpful hints, carrying on the good work herself to slim down to 9st 11lb today. An amazing drop from dress size 22 to a size 10.

But, most importantly from her point of view, that BMI has come down to a respectably healthy 23 – lowering her risks of all kinds of health problems from heart attacks to stroke. And the secret of the scheme? Small changes, she says, and simply looking afresh at her lifestyle.

Re-educated

“The reason I think it's worked this time is I've not had to deny myself anything like you would do with a faddy diet,” she says. “If I wanted a sweet snack or to go out for a meal I have done. But I have been re-educated about food by the nutrition experts on the scheme.

“Before I never looked at food labels but they told me basic things like how much food you should eat a day and what to look out for on lables. Just looking at how much fat you are eating and what you are putting in your mouth.

“The key thing though has been getting active. Before I wasn't really looking after myself and never used to do any exercise. The experts at Health Wise showed us simple exercises we could do at home – including some you can even do while watching TV. I just started going out walking every day and the weight just came off.

“Now I still go walking several times a week to maintain my weight – but I also because I enjoy every minute of it!”

With three children – Helen, 38, Lisa, 35, and Philip, 32 – all getting married next year, Barbara is now looking forward to being the mother of the brides and groom. However, having dropped six dress sizes, she's got nothing to wear.

She came along to the Great John Street Hotel to meet our I Love Me makeover experts for a well-deserved pampering session to help make the most of her new fab look. Bringing along granddaughters Hannah, seven, and Becca, 13 for expert advice.

Their mum Helen, who used to be married to their dad, opera singer Russell Watson, is getting re-married next year. And they wanted to make sure their grandma looks as good as she feels on that big day.


THE MAKEOVER

Having lost so much weight on the Health Wise scheme, Barbara is having to buy a whole new wardrobe – as she is swamped by her old clothes, as our pictures show.

So we asked I Love Me stylist Debs Hatfield, style advisor at the Arndale Centre, to help her find some fab new looks for her new figure. All our I Love Me lifestyle makeover volunteers receive £100 to spend at the Manchester shopping centre with Debs.

For Barbara, Debs looked at some stunning frocks for her mother-of-the-bride duties. Plus a casual outfit for when she hangs out with her grandchildren.

“Barbara looks amazing – and because she has done that with diet and exercise she is in great shape too,” says Debs. “She's got a great figure and lovely slim legs so we wanted to really show them off.

“We chose slim-leg jeans for a great casual look – and lovely empire line dress for the evening to which emphasises her slim silhouette. Like many people who have lost a lot of weight, Barbara still has areas she feels less confident about. But things like wraps to cover arms can help boost confidence.

“It's really about learning how to dress from scratch to suit your new shape.”

With some hair styling from Andrew Barn at Barn//it in Harvey Nichols, it was time for some make-up from Laura Mercier's Emma Ekbo.

“I just wanted to show off Barbara's healthy new glow so I kept make-up quite natural, just with some cream foundation to bring out that healthy look,” she explains. “Topped off with some fab gold eyeshadow from our new Le Magic collection.”


THE EXPERT

Alistair Fisher, health and wellbeing manager for Salford PCT, says losing weight the way Barbara has done is not only good for your pocket – with NHS services being free – but the best way for your health too.

“Each area in Greater Manchester has a similar service,” he explains. “It's designed for people who are overweight or obese to lose weight to improve their health. It's a free service you can self-refer to or go through your GP.

“The thing that's so great about these schemes – and what makes them so different – is that we look at food and physical activity equally. It's about energy in and energy out.

“We look at eating for good health, including talks on food labelling and cooking sessions. But also helping people find types of exercise they enjoy and will want to carry on with.

“There is an element of re-educating in there. But at the moment obesity is a major public health problem and it's important to do something about it.

“Being overweight has massive knock-on effects to your long-term health, making you more likes to develop diabetes and heart conditions – shortening life expectancy by up to 13 years.

“But schemes like this show you don't have to take drastic measure like surgery – there are small changes you can make that will help you lose weight. It's never too late to make a start.

“However, anyone who hasn't exercised regularly before should see their GP before embarking on a new keep fit regime.”


THE VERDICT

Barbara's grandchildren, Hannah and Becca, are certainly pleased with her transformation.

“She looks a lot better, I think she's more confident now,” says Hannah.

“She's the same person but more fun now,” agrees Becca.

As for Barbara herself, she just wants everyone else to be able to feel as good as she does now.

“The makeover today has been great, I would love to wear this dress to my daughter's wedding,” she says. “I'm really looking forward to it – whereas before I would have found it daunting.

“Life's brilliant now, I've just got so much more energy. Yes, I'm slimmer but the main thing for me is I'm healthier and I'm here for my children and grandchildren. I just can't stress enough how much of a difference the scheme made to me, I'd recommend it to anyone.”


CREDITS

Clothes: All supplied by Manchester Arndale. Dress: Principles. Skirt and red top: Coast. Jeans and blouse: Monsoon.

Styling: Debs Hatfield, style advisor at Manchester Arndale. The Retail Therapy service is free to Arndale customers offering expert advice and help choosing outfits – whatever your age, shape, or size. Call 0161 817 3697.

Make-up: Emma Ekbo for Laura Mercier at Harvey Nichols

Hair: Andrew Barn at barn//it in Harvey Nichols

Venue: Great John Street Hotel, Manchester. Tel: 0161 8313210

Pictures: Paul Heyes


WHAT'S HAPPENING WHERE YOU ARE

Supporting information from each Primary Care Trust on weight management programmes available across Greater Manchester

WIGAN AND LEIGH
Contact Cheryl Rose on 01942 481712 for more information about how NHS health trainers can help you lose weight.

BOLTON
Contact Kath Pye on 01204 462695 for details of the weight management scheme. Or call Patricia Eccles on 01204 463185 for news of a new service covering drug therapy and psychological support.

BURY
Bury NHS Health Trainers are available to support your weight loss through an informative, interactive, fun and free weight management programme. Call 0845 071 0699 or e-mail health.trainers@burypct.nhs.uk

MANCHESTER
For information about the range of services available in Manchester please contact the Community Nutrition Service 0161 205 4796 at Victoria Mill, Lower Vickers Street Manchester M40 7LH

OLDHAM
The dietetic team at Royal Oldham Hospital provide a programme of six weight reduction sessions over six months, by referral from GPs. Also, a pilot scheme called Shape Up starts in Hathershaw this September. Call 0161 7859716

ROCHDALE
There are three schemes – slimming on referral, a gym scheme, and a dietary advice programme – ask your local GP for referral details.

SALFORD
Health Wise is a 12-week programme covering nutrition and physical activity. Call 0161 212 4555 for more information

STOCKPORT
Schemes include a 12-week weight management course called *Keep It Off For Good' for adults and Weight Watchers on referral. Call Jane Jefferson on 0161 426 5090.

TAMESIDE
If you are overweight and want help to lose the extra pounds, the Weight Matters service can help. Call 0845 053 3302.

TRAFFORD
Trafford PCT is piloting a weight management project in which patients can be referred by their GP to the Trafford Healthy Lifestyle Trainers project. Call Helen Darlington on 0161 873 6036.