'BRIDGET JONES' 1920s DIARY FOUND Back in the good old days of the Roaring 20's, even weight loss was of importance to the teenagers of the day.
Even a 'Bridget Jones' type, was not spared the trappings of the good times, as a long lost diary that even included a diet plan, was part of the life style of a young lady called Ilene Powell would tell.
Her short diary was discovered in a charity store, and depicts in some detail the life in that time of the 17 year old, as she juggled parties, boyfriends, and weight loss, way back in the '20's.
One thing is certain, some things never change, and just like the present day Bridget Jones's, young Ilene Powell fought a constant battle with her weight, and she weighed only eight stone according to her diary.
An extract from her diary reads, Wednesday 14th January "I now have lemon juice in hot water with no sugar instead of tea, also a Very small breakfast of dry toast.
If this doesn't get my fat down I'll give up dieting.
" This weight loss diet plan seems extreme even by to days standards, almost anorexic by nature, a whole lemon squeezed in warm water to stimulate the digestive system, there by hoping to lose a few pounds was the order of the day.
Hmm, sound familiar? Health practitioners don't advocate that these days.
Old diaries are meant to be read, I'm told, and Ilene's vital statistics were also entered, to keep track of her diet plan and were very important to her in her day; "Glove size 6, Boot size 3, Hat size 6 5/8, Weight 8 st.
, and Height 5ft.
3ins.
Ilene was of the middle classes, and lived in the family home near Knowle, in England.
She taught dancing part time, spent the rest of her time shopping, having tea (lemon), and deciding on her next big night out.
With weight loss, diet plans, and diaries, in all these areas, some things just never change.
Even a 'Bridget Jones' type, was not spared the trappings of the good times, as a long lost diary that even included a diet plan, was part of the life style of a young lady called Ilene Powell would tell.
Her short diary was discovered in a charity store, and depicts in some detail the life in that time of the 17 year old, as she juggled parties, boyfriends, and weight loss, way back in the '20's.
One thing is certain, some things never change, and just like the present day Bridget Jones's, young Ilene Powell fought a constant battle with her weight, and she weighed only eight stone according to her diary.
An extract from her diary reads, Wednesday 14th January "I now have lemon juice in hot water with no sugar instead of tea, also a Very small breakfast of dry toast.
If this doesn't get my fat down I'll give up dieting.
" This weight loss diet plan seems extreme even by to days standards, almost anorexic by nature, a whole lemon squeezed in warm water to stimulate the digestive system, there by hoping to lose a few pounds was the order of the day.
Hmm, sound familiar? Health practitioners don't advocate that these days.
Old diaries are meant to be read, I'm told, and Ilene's vital statistics were also entered, to keep track of her diet plan and were very important to her in her day; "Glove size 6, Boot size 3, Hat size 6 5/8, Weight 8 st.
, and Height 5ft.
3ins.
Ilene was of the middle classes, and lived in the family home near Knowle, in England.
She taught dancing part time, spent the rest of her time shopping, having tea (lemon), and deciding on her next big night out.
With weight loss, diet plans, and diaries, in all these areas, some things just never change.