Every year for 41 years she resolved to lose weight, and every year she failed, leaving her feeling guilty and miserable.

Now a grandmother of three has finally managed to begin slimming down and regain her confidence.

Rosalind Bluestone, who lives in Borehamwood, started piling on the pounds when she married and her children were born. At her heaviest she weighed 18 stone.

She said: “I ate because of anxiety and stress. I loved to cook and eat and could not stop myself.

“I tried to lose weight but could never find a diet I could stick to. I suffered a deprived childhood and so could not cope with depriving myself of food.

“Every time I did not succeed I felt more and more guilty, and like I was fighting a losing battle.

“I worked in the charity sector, helping people improve their own lives and yet I could not help myself.”

Mrs Bluestone, who suffered breathing problems because of her size, was sent to Barnet Hospital where a nurse told her she needed to lose weight and recommended Slimming World.

She joined in April and has already lost three stone, although she feels she has a long way still to go.

Mrs Bluestone said: “After many failed attempts. I am actually ‘eating my way thin’ and feeling so much healthier and in control of myself.

“I am passionate about cooking and food and now I can enjoy huge, healthy meals of my favourite foods, such as smoked salmon, chopped liver, jacket potatoes with melted cheese.

”2014 will be the first new year where I know that my resolution will stick and get me to my target weight."

Mrs Bluestone shared her story after the NHS’s annual health survey showed 25 per cent of women are obese, and a quarter do no exercise.

She said: “Especially around Christmas and on special occasions, people put their heads in the sand about their problems and they don’t know how to control what they eat and drink.”

Inspired by the wish to help others change their life in the way hers has been changed, Mrs Bluestone is setting up a Slimming World club in Radlett.

The group will meet at 5.30pm on Thursday at the Village Institute in Watling Street from January 2.