{"id":623214,"date":"2026-08-06T08:26:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T08:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/623214\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T08:26:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T08:26:20","slug":"how-dawn-french-68-lost-7-5-stone-by-walking-unexciting-yet-effective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/623214\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dawn French, 68, lost 7.5 stone by walking: ‘Unexciting, yet effective’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dawn French is proof that walking is enough to lose weight<\/a>. Alongside a calorie deficit (which Dawn called \u2018joyless low-cal eating\u2019), she previously shared that despite setting out to drop just \u2018a few stone\u2019, \u2018lots more walking\u2019 led to her losing a huge seven and a half stone in a matter of \u2018weeks\u2019. <\/p>\n

But her decision to lose weight was about more than just being a little healthier; it was required in order for her to have surgery following a cancer scare in 2014, when she was 56. \u2018I was diagnosed with uterine cancer and my womb was removed,’ she explained on her blog<\/a> at the time. ‘When it was time for my hysterectomy, the doc told me that if I could lose some weight before the op, they would be able to do it via \u201ckey-hole\u201d, and I would recover in three weeks or so.\u2019<\/p>\n

She went on to call her weight loss<\/a> strategy \u2018unexciting, yet effective\u2019, adding that \u2018eating less\u2019 and \u2018exercising more\u2019 were the top two methods. <\/p>\n

\"dawnJoe Maher\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Dawn French, 2023<\/p>\n

Refreshingly, changing her appearance was never a motivation. \u2018I\u2019ve never disliked myself, and my weight has had nothing to do with my self-esteem,\u2019 she added on her blog. \u2018I still refuse to dislike my old body.\u2019<\/p>\n

In a more recent interview with The Times, cited by the Independent<\/a>, she pushed back against praise that implied her previous body was somehow inferior. She said, \u2018Lots of people do it and say, \u201cOh, you look so much better \u2013 now you look well.\u201d And I think, \u201cF*** off! Don’t judge that other person who I loved.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n

\"dawnMike Marsland\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Dawn French, 2017<\/p>\n

Her body-positive outlook is something we should all embrace, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t aim to lose weight if you\u2019re keen to feel fitter \u2013 and Dawn\u2019s experience is a welcome reminder that punishing HIIT workouts<\/a> and endless hours on the treadmill<\/a> aren\u2019t the only route to success. <\/p>\n

In fact, one study<\/a> found intense exercise often leads to less weight loss than expected because people naturally compensate by eating more or moving less later in the day, while sustainable activities like walking are easier to stick with over the long term. <\/p>\n

PT Samantha McGowan<\/a> concurs: \u2018When it comes to walking for weight loss, it\u2019s all about energy balance. You need to be in a calorie deficit \u2013 burning more calories than you eat. An increase in any movement will help with this, but walking is an accessible and sustainable starting point for many people since it doesn\u2019t require any kit or skill and is low impact.\u2019<\/p>\n

And Dawn’s not the only star to have reaped the rewards of upping her step count. Clare Balding, Rebel Wilson and Adele have all credited walking for contributing to their weight loss journeys. A daily stroll might go further than you think.<\/p>\n

A quick caveat<\/strong>: sustainable weight loss isn\u2019t driven by exercise or nutrition alone. Movement helps preserve muscle, support metabolic health and improve how your body uses energy, but what you eat still matters \u2013 as Dawn says, her weight loss came from walking and a calorie deficit, combined. The most effective approach combines smart training with nourishing, realistic nutrition habits you can maintain long-term.<\/p>\n

One of our most frequently asked questions here at <\/strong>Women\u2019s Health<\/strong>? How to build muscle and burn fat at the same time. So, we asked superstar trainer <\/strong>Oyinda Okunowo<\/strong><\/a> exactly how to do it. In this 4-week plan \u2013 created exclusively for <\/strong>Women\u2019s Health<\/strong> COLLECTIVE members \u2013 you\u2019ll get the workouts and nutrition guidance needed to help you on your way to better body composition. Tap the link below to unlock 14 days of free access to Oyinda’s plan and start training today.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get the plan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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As Women\u2019s Health UK\u2019s fitness director and a qualified Pilates and yoga instructor, Bridie Wilkins has been passionately reporting on exercise, health and nutrition since the start of her decade-long career in journalism.<\/p>\n

After earning a first-class degree in journalism and NCTJ accreditation, she secured her first role at Look Magazine, where she launched the magazine\u2019s health and fitness column, Look Fit, before going on to become Health and Fitness writer at HELLO!<\/p>\n

Since, she has written for Stylist, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle, The Metro, Runner\u2019s World and Red. Today, she oversees all fitness content across Women’s Health online and in <\/a>print, spearheading leading cross-platform franchises, such as \u2018Fit At Any Age\u2019, which showcases the women proving that age is no barrier to exercise.<\/p>\n

She has also represented the brand on BBC Radio London, plus various podcasts and Substacks \u2013 all with the aim to encourage more women to exercise and show them how. Outside of work, find her trying the latest Pilates studio, testing her VO2 max for fun (TY, Oura), or posting workouts on Instagram. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n