Claire Richards

Good Luck Claire
Susan Chatterton

Hi Claire I know exactly how you feel I went to overeaters anonymous to learn about my relationship/ obsession with food it’s based on the 12 step programme of Aa – I don’t always get it right but I am willing to learn x good luck :0)

Just watching your programme now,I feel your pain it’s a constant battle I too went to 13 stone 7 after my second child and am desperate to loose it, I’ll get there but know it’s going to be hard. Well done you look great and like you said your more than a weight.by the way I thought you had the best figure in steps!

hi Claire my name is Annika and i know how u feel. with my friends i was also ways the big one and i hated it when go shopphing and could not get a thing but after get sick i have lost a lot of weight and now i go to the gym. keep u head up.

Hey Clare . . .

You look amazing . . . but what came across more was how beautiful you
are inside . . . which is way more important . . . so instead of beating
yourself up all the time . . . how about enjoying being the wonderful
person you are . . . and if you can find an exercise that you love or
can grow to love then you will feel great because your brain will be
producing loads of endorphines . . . natures natural high . . . so go on
girl . . .

I think that after watching you this evening,a lot of people will be more interested in what a lovely, normal and bright person you are. You came across really well. Well done!xx

Great show and It doesn’t matter if you are fat or thin Claire you still come across as a lovely person.

Ps please reform steps for a last last concert….doing all those dance routines again will burn off tonnes of calories so you win and we win because we get steps back !

Claire just watched Slave to food – you are lovely and obviously have the support of a very loving husband. Ok, so maybe a few too many trips to MacDonalds - don’t think of having to be on a ‘diet’ – diets don’t work everything in moderation. Also think about the example you are setting your children by being obsesive about your weight, they will pick up on any negative feelings. Be happy and healthy x

You look fab as you are you dont need to loose weight! You never looked fat in steps either you was amazing! Just enjoy your life and food just watching your programme is making me hungry! Maccys breaky tomo yum xx

Thank you for making this programme.  I struggle with the same battle everyday. I have never posted about a programme before but I wanted to show you some support

Hi Clair not really sure why i feel the need to post on here. just watched your program on sky living and will sky+ the rest. anyway back to my main point which is i have been on the same path as your self for over 20 years going up and down the scales. at the moment i am at my lowest weight 10st having got to that from 18st7lbs, i have kept it off by watching every meal i eat and sticking to a boring diet to the point of ocd. but having said that i am happy to be in control of it at last.

i found you to be a very deep and thoughtful woman with a good out look on life, so please only do what makes you happy, you seem to have a happy and loving family and at the end of the day thats all that matters.

as i said not sure why i felt the need to post a comment on here as i’m not a fan and even worse im a 41 year old man.. keep smiling G 

Hi Claire, watched you last night as in the ads your comment ‘ I am not this person’ sounded all too familiar. I think your clearly a lovely, beautiful woman who like me is lucky enough to have beautiful children and a hubby who loves her whatever size. It should be enough and it is, but it isn’t.. I always feel not good enough and have not been able to lose all the weight since my last baby. Have yo yo’d even making myself ill but still am nearly 15 stone, was 18! I just can’t get back to my career in this body with no confidence. It’s always tomorrow, tomorrow, I will get there. I don’t envy you being in the public eye. Ignore negative comments they are from mean people who just don’t understand and probably are naturally super skinny. Good luck finding your confidence, in a larger or smaller body. I will be tuning in next week x

Why doesn’t your husband support you instead of making weak school boy jibes it makes him look like he is trying to undermine your confidence. Is he insure about you being looked at if you lose weight or something? He could do with shedding some timber as well, with his moobs and back fat all hanging out.  He could work out with you and stop trying to encourage you to eat all the time unless he wants you to go to an early grave that is?

Wow

Totally loved the programme for so many reasons. Can I just say how fab you looked when you had that picture taken at what you viewed as your heaviest weight, you wore a blue dress I think and were glowing. in contrast the stress on your face and how pale you looked when you had to reach that target 10.4 was painful. I found some of your husbands comments very cutting but in reality us yo yo dieters go from one extreme to the other and it must be so hard on our partners/family to keep up and be supportive during both phases.

I loved the total transparency with nothing hidden, including your emotions which I have to say mirrored so many of us and how we are feeling. I think its the feast or famine extremes that kill us off, as we can’t seem to find a sensible middle balance.

I could go on forever about different points of the programme that made me look inwards and see that very same person and the mistakes I am making on a daily basis trying to be that perfect person. What I didn’t realise is how people actually perceive us and its not actually how we think it is, my husband said you look stunning , no matter what weight you were especially when you were happy and confident.

I accept that being over a certain weight does not make us healthy or happy and I don’t condone giving up but I do feel we have to start loving ourselves for who we actually are and stop trying to be someone else.

cant wait for the next programme

Regards
Gillian

Hi watched your programme last night and you have done a great job you look great I completly understand what you are going through because i was 16st and lost 5 and a half stone and it’s a real battle to keep on going and me 2 don’t want to struggle with it for the rest of my life

I have a daughter of Claire’s age and we both love food. This woman is lovely, so refreshing from the usual stars who talk a lot of rubbish about their weight, what they eat and how much they exercise.  I would like to see Claire more on the television she was soooo funny.  Great family, supportive husband, as supportive as husbands can be.  Obvious he just loved her and wanted her to be happy.  Will be watching next week

Hi Claire.I used to be a “perfect” size 10,8st 8lb, until I had a baby. My metabolism changed .I rocketed to 13st, & 24 years & numerous diets later,not much has changed…..until last night when I watched your programme.I feel really motivated & I can’t wait for the next programme.Please ignore what the nasty, vindictive people say,they are only jealous of a very lovely lady.Good luck Claire.

I loved your programme. I sat and watched… it was your voice telling my story! I lost over four stone last year and put a couple back on which I am now trying to lose; drinking shakes only! I really struggle to get my head around why I do it to myself. I know what to eat and what portions I should be having but I sometimes just don’t have the will power to stop myself.

You look absolutley fabulous whatever, slim or curvy! You have the most beautiful face. Life is short, be happy!! 

Just watched your programme and it could have been me you were talking about. I am a very emotional eater as well and like you i need a goal to loose weight. When that goal has gone i just start eating again. I lost a lot of weight for my daughters wedding and then over the last 2 years have gone up and down again. I am again on the up starting to get worried again. I seem to have been dieting all my life and like you am fed up with it. I wish i could just eat normally. Am looking forward to watching the rest of the series and hope you get to a point in your life where weight is not an issue for you. You are a beautiful young woman whatever size you are. Be happy.

Carolyn

Loved the show. As someone who has struggled with my weight, i truley sympathise.
My advise to anyone looking to lose weight and keep it off is to forget the fad diets ( i’ve tried them all), you need to decide what you can live with long term.

This year i decided to get rid of all the fad diets and went on the internet and downloaded healthy alternative recipes of all the food i love, such as burgers, spaghetti and meatballs etc .. then taught myself how to cook them.

As for excersise, find something you enjoy doing, for me its knocking the c**p out of a punch bag for 20 mins and i found a cardio and strenght workout dvd i like ( the 11th workout dvd ive bought this year but finally found the one i enjoy doing) which i try to do fro 30mins every other day.

Most importantly we all have bad days, so if you tuck into that tub of icecream or stop off for burger and chips, just accept it as a blip, dont beat yourself up about it, then just carry on with the healthier eating. 

In May i was 20st6lb (wasn’t kidding when i said i struggled with my weight) now im 1lb away from 18st, my way isn’t super fast but im hoping its going to be long term, for the 1st time i feel like im winning the battle with my weight.   

I have the photo of you wearing nothing but your black shoes as my phone’s screensaver, i know it’s a bit pervy and that but it’s one of the sexiest photo’s i’ve ever seen and i just couldn’t help it, the press have no idea what the average bloke on the street likes, you’re lovely and ignore anyone who tells you otherwise xxxxxxxxxxxx 

Hey, don’t know if you actually will ever read this Claire but wanted to say. 

You are normal you know, its ok to have a problem, the fact that you know you do, well that tells me that you’re stronger. you will manage your weight, believe in yourself. You are a beautiful talented woman.  I am pretty much the same story as you (not as pretty or talented though!) and I hope to get there one day soon! Good luck, and WELL DONE! xx

Does weight really matter? I’ve come to terms that at 44 I will stay at around the 19 stone mark as having a back injury severly limits the activity you can do without aggravating my injury. I’m not happy with my size (mainly my waist size) but if I could lose a few inches off I’d be happy. For me it’s waist not weight. So get to the place where your happy with your self. Eat often and small and you body will eventually realize it’s getting a constant supply of nutrients and will start to stop storing more than it requires. Which is what happens when on most diets as the body is taught to save more calories than usual because it keeps experiencing periods of time where not enough nutrients are being supplied (diet) the it keeps up this practice afterwards (non diet) which is why we all put more weight back on after losing it, i.e. lose 3, gain 4. Good luck and be happy.

Like lots of other womenI thought the programme was really good because Claire is being so honest.  I have struggled with my weight for the past 10 years and it isn’t funny.  No matter what I do I cannot seem to keep the weight off as diets do not satisfy my appetite, so it is feast or famine all the time.  Like Claire I want to learn how to eat properly so I can maintain a suitable weight for myself. Good luck Claire – we are all with you.  (And yes you are gorgeous – it is such a shame that voluptuous women are not seen as beautiful).

I thought the programme was great and very honest.  You are a beautiful woman and my heart goes out to you and all of us who are struggling with our weight.  I really do think there is something physical going on with us that makes us binge eat – every health professional I have seen refuses to acknowledge this and relentlessly puts it down to lack of will power.  But, because there are so many of us fighting weight gain and the need for carbs, sweets, whatever it is, I wonder.  Meanwhile, we struggle on – having being overweight for only 10 years, I didn’t realise how horrible it is to regard food as your enemy.  It is tiring and soul destroying.  I wish you, and the rest of us, he best of luck in finding a way of eating that satisfies our appetites and our waistlines.

I watched the programme and had to post a comment.  You are a true inspiration and I love it that you are so open and honest and that famous people sill face every day struggles like us all!  As an avid yo yo dieter after two children I find it hard to find that middle ground but after watching your programme I understand that I’ll get there one day.  Good luck Claire and really hope that this means the start of us seeing more of you on telly.  You are very talented, REAL and grougeous.

One way to loose a few stone would be to ditch that hubby of yours!!! you say he is supportive??? I think not. 

how refreshing a tv show for the normal girls out there! Claire you are amazing your husband is also amazing ,so supportive and obviously proud of you and in love with YOU no matter how your body changes.I too have a husband much like yours but my problem is to do with ongoing health issues and it is hard out there;family especially can be your worst critics so much so I dont attend any family gatherings for fear of narrow minded sad people who have nothing better than to judge me even though they dont know all the facts. I feel my weight is due to past issues and it is my way of protecting myself,except it only makes people get at you more and more.i dont over eat and exercise is difficult because of my health so there is no hope for me.My only wish in life is that if you are overweight that you can be openly accepted as a valued human being to all people and you can hold your head up high and feel proud no matter what size you are ,everyone is beautiful to someone why should we all strive to be the same .Yes I am alittle cuddily but I am happy I have a wonderful husband Two gorgeous children and good friends so dont I have the right to go out there and be who I am and feel proud and that no-one is judging me for my weight (how shallow!!) These so called perfect individuals want to sit back and take a look at their own life and find out why they choose to bring others down.ITS THEM WHO HAVE THE PROBLEM!! I understand being healthy but hey life is for living if you cant be happy now when can you be .The only thing in my life is how others automatically judge me mind you own business you live your life and let us get on with ours.
     The magazine business could help there are some stunning girls out there who are cuddily they should be featured MORE in magazines and in movies its refreshing and proves we are all different!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry to go on but i feel so strongly about this and hats off to you claire you are beautiful full stop sod the media live your life and enjoy it !!!!!! best of luck Donna  

Brilliant,fantastic you.Anyone who has the nerve to criticise you should take a long hard look at themselves first.Finally a ‘real’ fly on the wall show.No ego,great connection to us the viewers and the truth that weight loss isn’t easy whoever you are.

Hi Claire, I’ve battled with my weight my whole adult life, I’m now at my heaviest a size 16 and looking in the mirror makes me feel physically sick at what i’ve done to myself. You’ve given me the encouragement i need. Your an inspiration, thank you.

You look amazing whatever size you are! your so pretty and have a lovely personality…loved your show, looking forward to the others. x

Claire,
You’re an inspiration to all of us out there who have struggled with our weights!
I think you’re fabulous no matter what size you are
x

I watched the programme, and for the first 20 minutes I felt sorry for you. You seem desperate to find a cause for your weight gain. But the truth is, as I am sure you know, that shovelling huge amounts of processed food in your mouth and not having the willpower to drive past a Fast Food Drive Thru (but instead ordering a meal that would feed a family of four) is not helping. You have the resources and the use of a personal trainer to help you exercise, but still have no motivation. I don’t really think that you need to show us two more programmes in order to highlight the problem to us. I hope that your programme does some good, in that it makes other people wake up to the realities of cause of their weight gain and yo-yo dieting. I do not think that people telling you that you look great and are a lovely person (which I am sure you are) is really helping. All they are doing is justifying to themselves, and to you, the perils of yo-yo dieting. In fact, this yo-yo dieting is extrememly unhealthy, and a poor lifestyle example to give your children. You clearly have other demons to deal with. Clearly telling you to eat less and to exercise even just a little is not enough for you. Your destructive relationship with food is very unhealthy and emotionally draining. I hope you find the answer that gives you the direction you need.

By the way, I am not a size 0. I am a size 12. I have learnt to stay this size over the past 12 months by making a small change to my lifestyle. I love food and I will never be skinny (I wouldnt want to be). But I have been able to enjoy my food (without going over the top) and I maintain a modest exercise regime (nothing too taxing). I have learnt to know when enough is enough. And I think you just need to do the same. Stop obsessing about how much you can eat or about what you eat, and relax.

Anyway, I do hope you find the balance you clearly want. I hope I have not offended you. I think people should be more honest in these situations and not try to placate everyone. And please stop doing these magazine things where they pay you to lose weight and have a goal that is unrealistic to you and makes you unhappy. These magazines always have some ‘freak show’ agenda and you are worth much more than that.xx

I had a bit of a weight melt down this year, like you I am a working mother. I have 3 children and for the last 12 years since having children I have been so busy bringing my children up that I never thought about my weight. I am 5ft 8 and I weighed 13.5 stone and I was horrified at myself so I got my butt in gear and I have lost 2.5 stone and it has been amazing hearing positive comments from friends and family about my weight loss. I am now much more confident and feel less mumsy and frumpy, I know now I can approach my 40th in 2 years time as a much happier person. The only thing now is I would love Gok to restyle my look lol
Loved the programme<3

Hi Claire,
You’re programme really opened my eyes to not only my struggles, but to the fact that other people struggle with this addiction as well. Try not to focus on something you “should” be, focus on how you feel, and if you are happy then stay that way. I find you inspiring, and wish you all the best for the future.
Charlotte x

I am on the exact same boat as you Claire, I gained weight when i was pregnant with my first child, 5 stone to be exact and now i struggle everyday to get it back off again. Your an inspiration to people who are overweight, it as gave me the hope i need to get it off for good. I have tried every diet under the sun and nothing has worked for me.x

i was and still am a big steps fan, watching the show, as made me think about my own weight. something that i never have done before, thank you. and you look great, can’t wait to watch the rest of the shows,

I am glad I am not the only person that has trouble with food , I have tried soon many diets and nothing works, I had a hysterectomy last April and since then I keep putting wait on even though I am still dieting I really hate myself. All I think about 24/7 is my weight and food I don’t want to be like this anymore it’s taken over my life long enough. X p,s you look great xxx Julie

I enjoyed your programme and it is not the sort of thing I normally watch having had a battle with food for most of my life! When I hit 45 my body started developing lots of food allergies due to some stress (I have son with Autism) and I felt ill most the time. I met a lovely lady who turned out to be a nutritionist and has written a book called The Harcombe Diet which can be purchased on Amazon. I have the diet book and everytime I feel my weight creeping up I return to splitting my food categories and the weight just falls back off me. I realised I had a real problem with bread (the yeast AND wheat) and so I don’t eat a lot of bakery products. I also found that anything which made me bloat i.e cheese, olives in vinegar etc really made me starving hungry after I had eaten them. I realised after a year of doing the diet that certain foods would make me starting hungry (causing a lot of bloating and discomfort) and I would then binge eat as you mentioned. Zoe Harcombe (the nutritionist) talks about having too much candida in your system and how it can affect your gut and your general health and food cravings. She has huge problems when she was younger and now remains a size 10. I actually went from a size 22 to a 14/16 and lost 3 stone on this diet. This was after trying all the weight watchers, slimming world, etc, etc diets and found that my problem was with certain types of food. I tend to stay away from a lot of dairy (although I too love ice-cream, but get the organic stuff like G&B much better for your tummy!) and mainly have goats milk every day with porridge for breakfast. You may think you need brown sugar on the porridge but if you manage to stay off sugar for approx 14 days you will be amazed that the craving for it will subside, honestly if I can do it anyone can! I agree with one of the other posts that your husband it a little critical of your dieting efforts and that can affects one’s self esteem. Can you trade him in for someone else? lol! !! PS: You can get charcoal in tablet form in some smaller chemists and then it doesn’t taste so gross, but it is not good to use it long term anyway. I would concentrate on taking fish oil and vitamins (especially B vits for ladies) to help stabilise your blood sugar. Please excuse all the waffle I just felt I wanted to share some of my struggles with you as this completely resonates with me!

Loved your programme Claire. I too have struggled many years with my weight. I hate the way we are judged by our size. I think you are lovely whatever your size. You are a lovely person and very pretty. Good luck and be happy.

I think the one thing we have to get our heads around is to be happy with ourselves and if we aren’t happy as we are, then we have to take control and do what we need to do to be happy.  It doesn’t matter what dress size you are or what anyone else thinks.  I have lost over 2 stone and kept it off for a year now, I’m not cover girl in a bikini material but you know what, it doesn’t make me unhappy.  Focus on your own peace of mind and forget the rest xx

just watched the programme I am the same as you  i think oh fxxx it I will eat it then worry about it later i have lost the same 4 stone at least 5 times now then go back to 16 stone ish so sending you ma love would send willpower but have none of my own xxxx love to you and the family x

Absolutely loved your programme, it was like watching myself! My partner can never understand why i’m either completely on it( the diet!) or so far off it that its really quite ridiculous how much food I can consume!! Its not a healthy way to be and I really want to change that and stop stressing about diets and being perfect and just be healthy but in this day and age its not so easy when everything around us is all about image!! But you and your programme have given me real motivation and encouragement and just want to say a huge thankyou for doing the programme and highlighting how difficult it is out there for us girls! Can’t wait for the next programme X

Hi Claire,
After watchimg your show I binned my scales as I am sick of having my day determined by the number on a machine. I have a two year old and a seven week old and I am going to concentrate on setting a healthy example for them. Thanks – your show has really given me a wakeup call
Vicky x

I can totally relate to you Claire having just lost nearly 4 stone, I have managed to keep it off for a year but it is a constant battle as I love my food!!

I have just watched your programme with my husband and when you were outside the GP’s surgery and crying I had tears streaming down my face! I am 4 stone overweight and for the first time, listened to someone saying everything I had felt for years. I feel exhausted at the thought Of this being a lifetime battle too. I know alot of people are telling you that you are not alone but I actually want to thank you. Thank you for being so honest and making ME feel like I’m not alone. Thanks for showing that we are one person inside and another on the outside. Sometimes I want to tell people that I am not the person they are looking at – I’m actually inside somewhere!! You are brilliantly funny to watch and I can’t wait till the next episode. Well done xxx

I have been watching you on sky every wk and think you look fantastic small or large, 6 Years ago i lost just over 5 stone by myself but sadly i put it back on over the years, and bloomed to 16 and half stone and thought two months ago that i got to loose weight for myself and no-one else. so i bought a bike (electric) lol. but it’s the best thing as i have gone from the weight above to 14 stone 6lbs. plus last wk i joined slimming world and gt weighed and i lost 4 and half pounds in weight. I am never hungry and i still have my treats as i have syns to use per day. I admire you for coming on t.v and showing the public how you have changed since steps. and putting yourself in the public limelight. You still have a fantastic voice. As i personally think well i done it once so why can’t i do it again but this time just keep going and do it for yourself. and get used to the routine and cook healthy meals for yourself and Ur family at the same time, anyway will keep watching you and your progress. Good luck to you.U CAN DO IT U KNOW YOU CAN. and if it helps and hope u dont mind may i keep you updated on my progress on the road to a more healthy life style for both of us and are family’s take care Julie Webb

Claire you are an inspiration to a lot of us that struggle with our weight and have yo yo dieted all our lives!! But you are a lucky lady, you are a very beautiful woman and whatever your size you will always look beautiful and have a family that loves you! I only wish that I was as blessed with your beauty!! We can be beautiful on the inside but it takes a rare individual to recognise that quality!!
Sara x

Claire, I have been watching your show and it is good to know that there is someone out there who is identical to me in height and who has been at the same weight.  I see your struggle and I can relate to it too well.  I always thought I looked one way but looking at yourself I have seen I how I looked.  I am now on the slimming world diet and have lost 2 stone.  I just hope this is the last time I diet.

Hi Claire, I just wanted to say i have so enjoyed the last 2 programmes. You always were my favourite in the group. You are incredibly beautiful irrespective of what size you are. Throughout last nights programme, i kept thinking ‘thats me’. Its so refreshing to actually see a celeb who is down to earth and honest. Who doesn’t use extreme methods to lose weight, and we can actually see how hard it really is. It must have been so hard to bare everything on tv, but to also have to see the awful things that people said ( some people need to get a life), i don’t think i could have done it. I am sure your children love you no matter what. When i told my daughter i was going on a liquid only diet, she started to cry, because she thought i would make myself ill. I hadn’t really thought of the impact it would or could have on her. At 11 she is always looking at her body and asing if she is fat, when in fact she is a beautiful well propotioned young girl.

Please don’t change who you are, because that is what makes you unique. You will get to where you want to be in your time. I have finally learnt that its not good to want the over night weight loss and that its better to do it over time, so yeah it might actually take me a year to lose 4 stone but so be it. Seeing celebs going up an down with their weight, just shows that they are human like the rest of us, and there is no quick fix to weight loss.

I hope you get snapped up by tv because i think you would make a brilliant host, or better still your own show…good luck and i wish you all the best…

I’m really enjoying watching your programme ’Slave to food’ it is a breath of open honest fresh air.  It has made me think alot about my up and down relationship with food which constantly affects my everyday life choices. I too wonder if I ever will find peace with how I look and weigh. I seem to look at food and it goes on (well that’s more like a problem with will power and too much fine food!).

I have spent the last six years worrying about my weight and how I look and just want to get to a good place –  I totally get what you are saying on that score . 

I think you look great on the programme at all your different weights I wish I looked like you!

I wish you all the success with your singing career like Coleen said you have talent go for it!

Hi I have been a Yo Yo dieter since I was 11 and get where you are. I have recently lost the lasr my baby weight of 2 stone through Weight Watchers and this will be the last time I go there and yo yo again. The new programme is so much easier and no food is off limits as long as you keep within the points. I dont feel I have ever missed out and still enjoy my wine, chocolate curry etc. 

My trigger was a picture and my goal was to get to a size 10. I achieved this within 6 months. it is a constant thought with my food choices as we are known as foodies we love it and everything about it not one of these people who forget to eat!! However I have chucked out all the size 14 and 16 and if my clothes get tight I will follow the programme for a week and honestly I am back on track. I feel a whole lot better in myself and actually can look at myself in the mirror dressed though naked is still a struggle. its not the same is it after kids which is the harder thing to deal with I think

I have taken to the programme and sympathise with your fight for losing weight and keeping it off we have all been there. At the end of the day you have your health, lovely down to earth husband and beautiful kids and when you look at it these are some of the things people yearn for and they maybe a size 6!

Claire love your programme ‘slave to food’ it’s nice to finally see someone real doing a show about weight issues ! Also that you are a naturally funny person with a lovely personality ….
I think a lot of people will relate to you. Your body looked amazing naked ! Good on you …. Enjoyable watching, even my husband watched with me which was a surprise as he wouldn’t normally watch that kind of show but found you very entertaining and comical ….. He admired your honesty …. Xx your a positive role model not like a lot of fake celebrities x

Claire i have to say you are a true insperation to me! Ive had 2 children but 3 pregnancys and drift between a size 10 and 16! Please please please do not go under the knife. U are truly stunning no matter what size you are and ive been dancing the steps moves all the way along as im 31. Its people like you who are in limelight and are happy with your curves that spures me on in life so please just be yourself and never change. You have the love of a wonderful husband who loves you no matter what wich wasnt the case for me although my fella thinks im sexy as hell he he. Please just learn to love yourself hunny! Life is far to short when u have a loving family. All the best xxx

Awesome show, you show them how its done, but remember, always be happy within yourself and everything else will become easy….good luck….x

Hi Claire

You’re fab!!! The programme is great and it’s great to see so many similarities.
Life is too short, you’ve a great hubby and beautiful children as well as being
talented singer and lovely honest person….. So enjoy life to the full
And don’t worry about what anybody thinks or says!!!
Well done for being you…
Zarina

I never have commented on TV programmes before but felt compelled to say that  I completely loved watching your programme ‘Slave to Food’ programme.  I can relate to everything you say – if I like the taste of something I can eat it until I’m full to bursting.  I can literally complain about my weight in one breath and in the next choose burger and chips for lunch so I got everything you said – the excuses as to why you couldn’t eat healthily – I do all of that.  I am currently giving Weightwatchers a try for the umteenth time and at the moment doing well (like I always do for the first 3 months or so).  But the feeling of addiction is always there waiting to take over when I’m at a week moment.  I loved you in Steps but I respect you even more now.  Glad you are going back to singing, you were always the one with the best voice (no disrespect to the rest of Steps but it’s true). 
You should give presenting a go too – you’ve a great look and personality for telly.  More please xx 

Hi Claire      
Thank you so much for such an honest account of your ongoing battle with your weight .  I am also one of lives yo-yo’s who struggle with my food demons.  I have lost a couple of stone, but have a few more to go.  I started running a few months ago, well slow jogging if the truth be told! which I still find hard and cannot say I actually enjoy, but then all forms of exercise bore me but what can you do!  Anyway I think you are a true inspiration, and I wish you the best of success in everything that you do.  Don’t let the media grind you down and keep the grin above the chin.
Best Wishes
Pamela

At long last an honest programme about a celeb and her battle with weight  Just love your honest fresh approach  everything you have said I have said and thought “its just me” Good Luck with everything  dont mind the begruggers  bet they wish they could sing like you

hi,claire i think you are beautiful looking woman,and the best looking one in steps.

I have to say im so glad that you have shed that steps image and shown the real you!!! You are an amazing person with an amazing husband and children. I too have been up and down so many times in my life and love nothing more than to snuggle with a take away with my husband. You have many talents not to mention your beautiful voice. I can only imagine the nasty comments you get can cut deeply but they are probably written by people who wished they could have an ounce of your personality. Your amazing and i have so much admiration for you!!  My husband said you are every real mans perfect woman, don’t let society turn you into something you are not!!!!

Claire, I have never in my life felt compelled to comment on any celebrity because at the end of the day they are only people like the other 4billion of us!!!:) But you have struck such a cord with me to such a degree that I had to send you a note.
I Admire your Courage SO MUCH in tackling an issue that effects so many people – its a very LONELY, secretive daily battle of self-esteem and self-loathing that SO MANY suffer.

And I am so proud that you have made the ‘slave to food’ documentary to reassure, inspire and most importantly HIGHLIGHT that ONE IS NOT ALONE in their struggle with food/self image/weight.
I suffered from anorexia from aged 19-25 reaching 5 and a half stone at one point. And though now in my 30′s I’m a ‘healthy’ weight and to all the world a vibrant attractive happy person, it was not always so. It really took the support of others and my own self belief to get to a content-happy place.
So THANK YOU on behalf of all shapes and sizes who struggle on a daily basis, thank you for supporting us, inspiring us and highlighting a battle that other celebrities have lacked courage to highlight. You are truly beautiful (whatever size you are your face always looks gorgeous!) and I wish you every success in your personal and professional life Grace, Ireland

Just realised I put my fella’s name down! Oops, now everyone else will think he’s an overweight transgender!

Clair – I haven’t seen the programme because I live outside the UK. I came across your latest work looking for your music having appreciated your spectacular voice for years. Just want to say that you look great, but if you really want to find the real diet, tailor made for every individual, there is only one – the blood-type diet. Just tune in to your ancestral blueprint – it’ll let you find your ideal weight in weeks, you’ll live longer, avoid all the illnesses for your blood type and feel more vital – all scientifically proven and linked with global genetic research. It changed my life 13 years ago, and I like others who have found this ‘real life style change’ want to share this with you. You’re a wonderful artist and don’t need ‘yoyo’s’. the important thing is to invest in your health, so live long and entertain us for as long as you can girl. Good luck for the future godess of the microphone.

hi claire loving your programme and can really relate to it through my own personal experience.  i have forked out hundreds of pound on various diets which have never worked for me due to me not sticking to them.  i have the past few weeks (in my local gym) started a programme called evolve (you can see it on the internet) its great its all about what you are eating and changing your thoughts about food and i love it, i have loads more energy and have such a better relationship with food.  i was a sugar junkie and every time i stuffed my face i felt bad about it and ate more and the story goes on.  Now if i have chocolate i dont feel bad about it.  I have taken up regular exercise and my moto is to get fit and all other things should fall into place.

Best thing of all is i dont feel bad about what i eat anymore and i make the choices on more filling foods so that i dont have the sugar cravings.  You can still have a great healthy meal and feel totally satisfied its just about getting it right for you and what you like.

Best of luck to you and i totally agree with your hubby you look great, you are such an insperation to us all. 

Laurie xxx

just watched the last episode of slave to food. what a beautiful woman claire is, and what a lovely family she has. it does’nt matter what anyone says, if you have the love of your husband and your family, thats all that counts. you go girl x

Your husband is right, you beautiful and very talented and it’s such a shame you can’t see it, usually i don’t watch reality programs but you come across as a real person which is so refreshing as you are a pleasure to watch and i wish you all the luck in the world, celebrities have a tendency to talk about anything just to stay in the public eye ( just look at natalie cassidy!) but because you are putting yourself out there at your most vulnerable i take my hat off to you, your a brave lady keep it up and your get there in the end, much respect.  Zoe A xx

WELL DONE CLAIRE. ANOTHER DOWN TO EARTH EPISODE TONIGHT. YOU LOOK FANTASTIC AND YOUR HUSBAND IS A BIT OF ALRIGHT TOO. MY, BUT HE LOVES YOU. WHY WOULD,NT HE. YOU ARE A STUNNING LOOKING GIRL WITH A FEW CURVES. YES ALL OF US WOMEN WHO ARE NOT A SIZE 8 CAN LOOK SEXY TOO, WE JUST HAVE TO FEEL IT!!!!!!!!!. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK AND MAKE MORE TV SHOWS. 

Claire I was just reading down through everybody else comments. Look at how much you have inspired people who are battling with weight issues to do something about it. I could really relate to absoutely everything you were saying. It was like you were in my head. All my friends are skinny minnies and I would be the fat one of the group. I feel like I can’t talk to them about beacuse they just keep dismissing everything I say and saying you look fine. Its comforting to know that i’m not the only person out there who thinks about food in the very way you described in the show, like if i’m happy i’ll eat or if i’m sad i’ll eat and when your sad you turn to food for comfort then your so angry with yourself for doing that and then you eat something again to make yourself feel better again and the cycle just continues. With all the weight loss diets and groups out there its not like I don’t know what the right thing to eat to loose weight is, I just have to break through that barrier in my head to achieve my goal. After watching the show I think I can do it now.

I also think your gorgeous and very funny and you should defo be on tv more. You would make a fantastic tv host on a chat show or something, interviewing other singers and actors because you’ve a great sense of humour and know how to have laugh.People can really relate to you. And lets not forget your main talent, you could do duets with any singers you interview as part of the show. I think it would be brilliant.

Best of luck with whatever you get upto in the future but don’t let weight stop you from achieving anything you want to do. And thanks you very much for my light bulb moment

Love Ciara xx.

Claire, I am not someone who would normally track down a person I’ve watched on TV, but following your slave to food programme I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are to me.  Since having my daughter two years ago, I have struggled to lose the weight I gained whilst pregnant.  Out of the 4 stone I put on, I managed to lose 2, but since returning to work I haven’t managed to lose any more and in fact yoyo up and down with an extra stone.  I work 4 days a week mainly in London, where eating and drinking is part of the job, my husband is on redundancy notice and my mum is now my dad’s carer as we have recently found out that he is terminally ill.  Therefore finding time for myself is very hard. 

As a child I was always the bigger one of the group, but looking back at pictures now I wasn’t as big as I thought at the time.  At 25, I trained to be an aerobics instructor. So as well as working a full time job, I was also teaching 3 clases a day - I had never been so fit and skinny!

So like you, I too have struggled for most of my life with weight issues.

Since watching your programme, I’ve cut back on the “crap” food and take aways I’ve been grabbing on the quick and joined my local gym, which is open until late so I can go there once my little girl has gone to bed.  Or for the one day a week I work from home, I’m in the pool by 6.30am.
I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for making me give myself a kick up the bum and get back my will power to get fit and lose weight again.  The weight is slowly coming off and I am starting to feel fitter and healthy.

Well done for keeping at it!!!  I hope you truely understand what an amazing person you are and I wish you lots of luck for the future for you and your family.  I hope to see you on the West End stage soon.
Best Wishes
Nicola
xxx

I just want to say what a beautiful lady you are. Be grateful for your loving husband and super children. I’m a married 61 year old with no children. Count your blessings and learn to be happy in your skin.
Long life and happiness.
Regards Marilyn xxx

Oh my goodness I have just finished watching ‘Slave to food’….. my weight has also been a rollercoaster for as long as I can remember after 4 children I thought the same as you that I would never beat this and that I had to get thin for everybody else…. My husband would so agree with your husband we have been together 28years and he has seen me all sizes and I mean ALL.  I was diagnosed with epilepsy this year a massive shock at 43 years old, I had to give up drinking and yes I loved my white wine …. I also had a long hard look at myself and thought if I can change my life to cope with the epilepsy I can do anything, I joined weight watchers and have lost a steady 1lb a week, I now know that you dont get quick fixes and if it takes me a year then hey thats ok.
I want to say a massive thank you to you I laughed and cried with you  youhave given me the determination/courage to continue with my journey on the weight loss. xxxx

When the name Claire Richards comes into my head, I dont think “ooh, that fat one from Steps” as you said on your programme. The only thing I actually think is “ooh, that one who was the best singer”.  Just be yourself and carry on singing, cos your great at it.

i loved watching slave to food i think your fab x

Hi Claire, I just wanted to let you know that I completely identify with what you are going through. For a long time, I have found comfort in food and have gone on various diets, been strict with myself for so long and then given up and put the weight back on again. I definitely think it is psychological and with having a son myself, I don’t want him to have the same hangs up with food as I do. I completely agree that it is difficult not to give in to your kids and give them treats especially when they put on the puppy dog eyes!! My son has a sweet tooth like me and would choose cakes or chocolate over fruit every time but I do also ensure that he eats healthily. I think it’s all about finding the right balance. 

As for your weight, I think you look fantastic! You certainly aren’t fat and I would be happy to be at your weight. I am just over 15 stone and a size 18 so it would be a dream for me to fit into a size 12/14. I think you have been really brave in putting yourself out there and discussing how you feel about your weight. It is nice for a change to see that celebrities have the same hang ups as the rest of us and aren’t always size 8 skinnies who tell us that they eat junk food like the rest of us but in reality hardly eat at all!

Thank you for bringing this issue to the fore and for being yourself. 

Stephanie Forrester

I think you have a gorgeous figure and are very pretty. I hope I can get the chance to hear you sing live one day as you have a beautiful voice x

Claire! You are a beautiful and inspiring person and I have really enjoyed watching your programme. I think the west end is calling you and you should run to it with open arms! Good luck and be happy wherever your life takes you! Heaps of love xxx

Claire, have you tried going to overeaters anonymous?

Hi Claire I think you have an amazing job with this documentry, I can relate alot to some of your issuse. Good luck Claire xx

hi, was never a steps fan and wouldn’t normally add comments to these kind of things but saw on the slave to food that you read these comments claire and just wanted to say that i totally admire you for doing that programme, you represent real women and the issues real women have.  i work for the nhs helping people change their behaviours to combat issues such as smoking/alcohol/weight etc and the number of people who came through having saw your programme and realising that celebreties struggle too was amazing.  Keep up your fight to get to a healthy weight, not for for vanity but for health but be happy and live life in between….good luck with the steps reunion xx

Very human and honest, refreshing to see the struggle & not just a workout video after the loss. Claire, you’re not alone in how you feel, I used to train ridiculous hours so I could eat what I wanted & still didn’t have the body I wanted! Good luck & if you find the cure let us all know!

I’m watching the programme now (Jan 2013) and you are a great inspiration & comfort. I’m 51, have struggled with my weight all my life & will probably do so for the rest of it. I hope you’ve managed to put this weight thing into perspective since you made the programme – don’t let it take over your life.