Denise Welch has reflected on how she gained two stone after quitting alcohol as she discussed her weight loss journey.
The Loose Women star, 64, recently marked 11 years of sobriety and is now looking back at how giving up alcohol has affected her life in a poignant post.
She took to Instagram on Saturday to speak candidly about how she won 2 stone after her lifestyle change, saying she was “replacing one addiction with another.”
Denise shared two glowing swimsuit snaps of herself talking about her weight loss journey and how she’s “changed her relationship with food.”
Alongside the photos, she wrote, “10 years ago today I started my @lighterlife journey. I lost 2 stone in 2 months and became a proud ambassador, a title I hold to this day.
Candid: Denise Welch has reflected on how she gained two stone after quitting alcohol as she discussed her weight loss journey
Gripping: The Loose Women star, 64, recently marked 11 years of sobriety and now looks back at how giving up alcohol has affected her life in a poignant post
“I’ve seen @lighterlife change lives, especially by reversing type 2 diabetes.
“When I quit alcohol, I replaced one addiction with another, food and gained 2 stone.
‘With the help of @lighterlife and their mentor and behavioral approach, I’ve been able to change my relationship with food.
‘The osteoarthritis in my knees improved by 90%. For more information, the link is in my stories #ad.’
Her latest comments come a month after Denise marked 11 years of sobriety in a candid Instagram post.
In March, the actress shared two snaps of herself, taken 11 years apart, talking about how sobriety changed her life.
She admitted that her “disastrous” relationship with alcohol affected her relationship with husband Lincoln Townley and the lives of her sons Louis, 22, and Matty, 34, whom she shares with her ex Tim Healy.
The Coronation Street star went on to say that while getting sober “wasn’t easy,” it ultimately changed her life and that of her loved ones.
Opening: She spoke candidly about how she won 2 stone after her lifestyle change, saying she “replaced one addiction with another”
Sobriety: Her latest comments come a month after Denise marked 11 years of sobriety in a candid Instagram post
Alcohol: The Coronation Street actress shared that while getting sober was ‘not easy’ it changed her life and those of her loved ones
In a poignant caption, she wrote, “11 years sober today!!! Giving up my disastrous relationship with alcohol changed my life, my husband’s life and my children’s lives. Plus the lives of everyone who loves me.
‘It was not easy. Addiction is a cruel and frightening disease. But together @lincolntownley and I realized we were destroying many lives, including our own, and we did.
“I now have a wonderful marriage that is the foundation of my life. Our children are happy and I hope those of you who are struggling find the strength to stop.
“If alcohol no longer makes you happy, if your drinking is making other people’s lives miserable, it’s time to stop. There’s help if you need it.’
Denise and Lincoln married in Portugal in July 2013, after getting engaged in August 2012.
Lincoln previously credited his wife for helping him get sober, making him one of the most in-demand performers in the country.
Speaking to The Mirror in June 2019, the London-born art sensation said of his other half: “Drinking has never brought anything good into my life, except Denise.”
Struggle: She admitted her ‘disastrous’ relationship with alcohol affected the lives of her sons Louis, 22, and Matty, 34, (both pictured in May 2015) who she shares with her ex Tim Healy
Romance: Denise’s husband Lincoln Townley previously wrote that his wife helped him get sober, making him one of the most in-demand artists in the country
“We got to the point where we knew the best way to do it was to embrace sobriety together,” he added.
He spoke about their shared journey to sobriety, sharing, “We know each other in a very dark time and we wanted to create something from what we had. We’re here and we’re both very happy and that’s how it works for us.’
Lincoln added that it’s “not hard” to stay sober as the couple have enough going on in their lives to keep them busy and focused.
Anyone experiencing similar issues should contact AA on 0800 917 7650 or email the helpline at help@aamail.org.