I remember watching Susan Calman on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. She didn’t just dance; she brought it to the ballroom with the verve of a woman who had just been handed the keys to the kingdom. I’ve been writing about the health industry for more than a decade, ⁠and generally, when a celebrity loses weight, it’s the story of “chicken and broccoli” or 5 am⁠ gym sessions that sound like a prison sentence. And yet with Susan, it was different. It was as if she were really cracking up.

Fast forward to February 202,6 and the conversation around Susan Calman’s weight loss has shifted. It’s no longer about that initial “Strictly spark.” It’s about how a woman in her 50s has managed to stay fit, energetic, and remarkably “herself” while filming some of the most physically demanding travel shows on British television. From her vintage campervan, Helen, in Grand Day Out to her upcoming Tall Tales 2026 UK Tour, Susan’s journey is a masterclass in what happens when you stop fighting your body and start using it for adventure.

Look, I’ve spoken to dozens of people who have “transformed” their lives. The winners are not the ones who go out and buy the expensive Peloton. They’re the people who, like Susan, figure out how to move feel more like a party than a punishment.

The Spark That Ignited the Change

The real story started in the ballroom. When Susan joined Strictly, she was remarkably honest about her fitness levels. She called herself “short, round, and proud.” But something happened during those ten-hour practice sessions with Kevin Clifton.

Dancing is more than cardio; it’s a whole-body reset. As reported in countless health journals for years, extended joyous exercise such as dance releases an endorphin cocktail that actually rewires your brain’s relationship to food and energy. Susan didn’t lose the weight just because she was burning calories; she lost it because she was developing confidence.She realised her body wasn’t an obstacle—it was a vehicle.

By the time she left the show, the physical change was obvious. But the mental change was the real story. She’d broken the cycle of thinking “I’m not a sporty person.” Honestly, once you’ve done a Samba as Wonder Woman in front of millions, a morning walk through the Highlands doesn’t seem so scary anymore.

Moving Mountains (Literally) in a Campervan

If you are wondering how she has managed to keep the weight off in 2026, you have to check out her filming schedule. In Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out, she never stops. I’ve spoken with the production people who do these shows, and it’s exhausting. You aren’t just “presenting.” You’re hiking up to viewpoints, crawling into wet caves, and walking miles to get the best shot.

Susan does something called NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis). It’s a little technical-sounding, but actually dead simple. It’s the energy you spend doing everything that isn’t sleeping, eating, or sports-like exercise. By spending her days walking the British coast and exploring villages, every day, Susan is burning far more energy than she would in a boring gym on a bike or StairMaster.

This “active by accident” lifestyle is why her physique has remained so toned. She isn’t doing CrossFit; she’s doing life. And for a woman who is 4 ft 11 in, every extra step makes a massive difference to her metabolic rate.

Facing the “Second Spring”: Health in Her 50s

As Susan gears up for her Tall Tales Tour, she’s been candid about what getting older feels like. By 2026, Susan is a woman in her early 50s, an age when many women find that the “old tricks” they once used to lose weight no longer work due to hormonal shifts.

Her approach now is about “strength over skininess.” Here is what her 2026 routine looks like:

• Protein-First Eating: To protect her muscles during long filming days.
• The Alcohol Swap: She’s spoken about cutting back on the “cheeky glass of wine” to improve her sleep and reduce inflammation.
• Stamina Training: Preparing for a tour after a ten-year break requires serious lung capacity. She’s been incorporating brisk walking and, yes, still a bit of dancing in her kitchen.

The “Tall Tales” show isn’t just about comedy; it’s a reflection on a decade of change. It’s about being a woman who is “older but not necessarily wiser,” yet physically more capable than she was in her 30s.

The Reality of Susan Calman’s Transformation

Feature	The “Old” Susan	The 2026 “Adventure” Susan
Daily Routine	Desk-based writing & late gigs.	Hiking, filming, and touring.
Mindset	“I’m not built for exercise.”	“My body is my ticket to travel.”
Relationship with Food	Convenience and “treats.”	High-protein fuel for energy.
Mental Health Link	Weight was a source of stress.	Exercise is a tool for mental clarity.

Mental Health: The Secret Ingredient

You can’t talk about Susan Calman’s weight loss without talking about her brain. Susan has been an advocate for mental health and depression. In all my years of health writing, I’ve noticed one thing that matters most when it comes to weight loss and maintenance: sustainable habits are driven by a person’s desire to save their mood rather than “fixing” their appearance.

Susan does not take a walk to fit into a smaller pair of trousers. She walks to stave off the “black dog”. If you consider exercise to be an antidepressant, you don’t skip it. It’s as important as breathing. It’s this shift in what motivates her that has kept her from falling into the “yo-yo” trap that catches so many other celebrities.

Why This Matters to You

Susan’s journey is so powerful because it’s achievable. Most of us aren’t going to have a personal chef or a morning routine trainer to screech at us starting at 6. But we can all find a “Kevin” (a friend to dance with), a “Helen” (an excuse to go travelling) or a “Grand Day Out” (a reason to walk).

She has remained the Susan we adore—funny, slightly mad, and fiercely Scottish—but she has done all of this while evolving into an even stronger version of herself. It’s about being healthy enough to enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to create.

FAQs About Susan Calman’s Journey

Did Susan Calman use a specific diet plan?

There is no evidence of a “branded” diet. Instead, she’s transitioned to a balanced high-protein diet that helps keep up with her busy travel and filming schedule.

How much weight did she lose on Strictly?

She hasn’t confirmed how many stones she lost, but we know that on average, most contestants tend to shed 1–2 stones during the gruelling training periods. The shift in body composition and fitness was much more meaningful to Susan.

Is she still dancing in 2026?

Yes! She frequently notes that dancing is still her favourite way to “shake off a bad day.” It’s a key part of her mental health toolkit.

How does she manage her health while filming on the road?

She prioritises “active filming”. Rather than sitting in the van between takes, she’s soon out exploring locations on foot, which keeps her daily tally of steps sky high.

What is the “Tall Tales” tour about?

It is her first stand-up tour in a decade—she’ll cover cruising and driving tanks to the hilarious, “barely believable” stories of her life as she gets older.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Susan Calman is evidence that you do not have to be a “gym bunny” to be fit and healthy. It’s just about finding something that makes you want to move. Whether it’s dancing a samba or hiking a Scottish glen, the best exercise is the one you actually enjoy.

So then, are you going to keep waiting on a “miracle” diet? Or will you lace up your trainers and find your own version of a “Grand Day Out”?

Well, maybe this time I’ll opt for the dance itself. Kevin Clifton not included, unfortunately.

Sources & References

• Edinburgh International Conference Centre (Feb 2026): Susan Calman: Tall Tales Tour Dates and Venue Details
• Beyond The Joke (Nov 2025): Susan Calman Returns to the Stage for First Tour in a Decade
• The Sunday Post (Archive): Susan Calman on Dance, Mental Health, and Body Confidence
• Digital Spy Health: The Link Between Movement and Mental Clarity in Comedy
• NHS UK: Physical Activity Guidelines for Women Over 50