I struggle with my weight, like many women. I try hard to eat healthily – sometimes I succeed and other times I just fall into ‘fat mode’ and eat what I want. I do feel guilty if I eat cake or have a McDonald’s and yesterday evening was one of those times.

Youngest daughter and I had returned from depositing older daughter at the railway station and a McDonald’s seemed a comforting thought. A token gesture to wise choices was my Diet Coke – although I had planned to add a dash of rum to it when I got home. However it was not to be.

As we arrived home our neighbour’s kitchen light was on – in full view of our driveway. They are a pleasant couple – both hospital doctors and one is surgeon. I was keen to hide the fact we were returning with a McDonald’s – silly I know – but I always imagine they judge me. There’s that overweight, middle-aged woman not helping herself by stuffing her face with a Big Mac!

It was with these thoughts in my head that I strode towards the house, purposefully, keys in one hand and a carton containing my Diet Coke and a Mocha Latte for my daughter. Husband had sensibly asked for a bottle of mineral water – sensibly because, suddenly, my ankle just went over and I knew I had to break my fall with my hands – so Latte and Coke flew into the air and I landed on my hands and knees. Bottle of water lay intact by my side.

The shock is horrendous when you fall, as an adult. For a moment I just stayed on my knees, horrified what the healthy doctors next door might have seen. I had no idea if I could actually get up even. My lovely daughter, with concern and pity etched on her face, pulled me to my feet. I scrabbled about for the cups and lids that had fallen, hoping to hide the evidence, and limped back to the house feeling ancient and somehow deserving of my bruises.

She’s had a fall. She’s fallen over. She fell over walking to the house. She tripped. Some sound worse than others. Definitely want to avoid the ‘had a fall’ one. It reeks of old age and frailty. And just when I was getting on top of my arthritic knee !

The fall has made me think yet again about my age, my weight, my frustrations about what my body can no longer do easily. So I will use it as motivation to at least have a Good Week this week.