Alison Hammond has admitted to not feeling quite satisfied with her weight-loss journey, despite dropping an astonishing 11 stone towards the end of last year.
Ahead of her appearance on the season premiere of For The Love Of Dogs on ITV1, the TV star surprisingly referred to every diet she has ever undertaken as "a failure".
The devastating passing of her mother in January 2020 to lung and liver cancer triggered a change in lifestyle for Alison – she enlisted a personal trainer and revamped her diet.
"My mum had Type 2 diabetes and she was worried for me," Alison confided in an interview with Woman's World magazine, "so when I then found out that I was pre-diabetic, that was frightening. I thought, 'I have to be an adult about this'. The sweets had to stop – and the fatty foods."
In spite of her impressive lifestyle overhaul, Alison candidly expressed to The Big Issue a sentiment of defeat concerning her perpetual battle with her size, claiming "probably every attempt I've ever made at dieting" as her greatest letdown.
Yet, with characteristic cheeriness, she quipped: "But hey, life's too short to say no to cake!"
At her heaviest, the host of The Great British Bake Off recalls tipping the scales at around 28 stone, prompting her to buy two plane seats for herself to sidestep discomfort for fellow travellers, reports Plymouth Live.
Speaking openly on ITV's This Morning, she shared: "I was nearly 28 stone, I'll be honest with you, and that is morbidly obese. I used to buy an extra seat because I didn't want to put anyone in a situation where I was touching them."
One mortifying experience prompted her to make a change: "I was made to feel uncomfortable on one occasion when I was so close to someone's seat and they asked to move but they ended up moving me into first class.
"I had to lose weight because I was dying, I really was dying. People will still say I'm big but now I'm 17 stone rather than 28 stone and I'm comfortable with telling you my weight."
Rejecting modern weight-loss medications, Alison adopted a healthier lifestyle which included abandoning sugary snacks and committing to a solid fitness regime with a focus on weightlifting and boxing.
Alison shared a profound bond with her late mother, Maria, who had a significant impact on her life. She reflected on her mother's guidance, noting: "She taught me to laugh loud, love big, and always be myself. And look where that's got me. This Morning, Bake Off, three books, and working with Maybelline."
For the Love of Dogs with Alison Hammond returns tonight at 8.30pm on ITV1
