Rosemary Shrager, 75, says 'diets always fail' as TV chef defends using Ozempic and credits ditching calorie counting with her four stone weight loss

Rosemary Shrager said that 'diets always fail' as she opened up about using Ozempic and ditching calorie counting to achieve her 4st weight loss.

The British chef, 75, has long been open about her weight loss struggles, having weighed 20 stone at her heaviest.

Now in a new interview with the Daily Mail, Rosemary revealed the truth behind her slimmed-down physique. 

When asked if she used Ozempic, she said: 'Yes, I absolutely did, because I needed some help. 

'I personally needed some help at the time, and I got some help. 

'The doctor gave me some help because they knew I did need some help - but only for a short time.'

She continued: 'There's nothing wrong in getting help, OK? But also, you can't have help forever. 

'When you decide - whoever's on these injections or however you do it - you have to understand you have to live healthily.'

Since Ozempic's weight loss properties first made headlines in 2021, the drug has received a lot of stigma and negative comments.

But for Rosemary, she credited the drug as a temporary fixture, admitting she only used it for six months.

She said: 'Anybody who says they don't work is wrong, because they do help. 

'But you can't stay on them forever.' 

After using the weight loss drug, the chef decided to ditch calorie counting altogether. 

She said: 'I've been big all my life, so I've been on every diet. They always fail. 

'That's why I don't like diets. When you think of diet, diet is failing to me. You fail.'

Instead, she's teamed up with digital health provider Numan to tackle food temptation head-on with a digital cookbook.

Rosemary believes food cravings can be managed with the right recipes.

'It's not about calorie counting or anything like that - it's just being healthy.

'It's not a diet. It's about changing your mindset and getting into the habit of being healthy - and that's something that can't really fail.'

She continued: 'For me, I'm at a stage now where I'm living healthily. 

'I'm sustaining my weight and I'm doing this purely to feel good about myself, not for weight loss.

'I'm not doing this for weight loss anymore - I'm doing this purely to feel good and healthy.'

Developed alongside Numan's experts in behavioural science, the cookbook focuses on bold flavours, comfort and satisfaction.

The book, which launched on January 21, focuses its recipes on nutrient-dense food to help people feel fuller for longer.

New recipes drop weekly after launch, with Fakeaway Friday Salmon, Go-To Beans on Toast, and Sweet Beet Brownies already on the site.

'Cravings aren't a failure of willpower,' said Zoe Griffiths, VP of Behavioural Medicine and Registered Dietitian at Numan.

'They're your brain responding exactly as it's designed to. 

When we're tired or stressed, our brains seek an energy boost or a quick reward – and food is the easiest option. 

'Rather than asking people to cut things out, the recipes are designed to work with your brain, delivering nourishment and pleasure.'

'Cravings don't disappear,' Zoe added. 'But they don't have to be in control either.'

Recipes are available to view on Numan's website now.