54 years old. Retired female from Scotland living in Turkey. Gained weight from stopping smoking and being depressed and lost my dog. Got stuck in a rut for ten years. What a waste!

I am following the 5:2 diet for health and weight loss. I 'fast' Mon, Wed and Fri when I don't eat for 24hrs ie from 6pm to 6pm. On 'fast days I just have between 400 - 500 calories. The rest of the time I have under 1200 calories. Saturdays and Sundays are diet free, guilt free days.

I just want to eat a balanced, healthy amount of food and feel good. I have reduced my alcohol intake and now only imbibe at weekends. I am also giving up as many processed foods as I can as they are 'the devil's foods' lol. As an animal lover, I am becoming more and more wary of what meat I eat. The thought of cruelty to animals which we eat really turns me off.