I had done it again but worse this time! In truth I was enjoying my retirement so much without the same pressures of daily life that I had just fallen (not for the first time), into bad habits. I snacked on the wrong food, ate too large portions for the activity I was doing and did not eat enough protein.  The social life in Spain and frequent visitors to entertain also played their part.

However, after a Christmas with friends and family I was at my heaviest and looked and felt frumpy. I saw a flyer advertising a weightloss challenge and decided to go along. The initial meeting was as a group and Linda gave us a very clear and uncomplicated presentation reminding us of the principles of healthy eating and like others there I felt immediately motivated and sure that I could follow through to look better but more than that to be healthier.

After the first meeting I attended individual sessions weekly when I was weighed and measurements recorded. The daily diary that I kept of everything I ate or drank was a good discipline, particularly in the early days. If you cheat and don't record everything you are only fooling yourself but knowing you will write everything down in itself made me question, 'do I need this?' It was also helpful as Linda would look through the diary to check on the balance and suggest changes where these were needed and ensure I was drinking the all important water.

Initially I found it difficult to eat protein at breakfast without my customary piece of toast and I preferred to have the carbohydrate in the evening with my main meal. I started to take the Herbalife shake for breakfast. I do not like milky drinks but I have it with gaseosa, sometimes with a dash of orange juice and enjoy this. Also at this time I enrolled in two exercise classes weekly and endeavoured to take more physical exercise during my daily life.

The weight was coming off nicely and the inches going as well. My first difficulty was when we had a concentration of social outings and visitors but Linda helped me plan for this and I managed well albeit with an occasional over-indulgence. You have to live your life after all!

One important thing for me was the regular weekly day out with my husband and friends when we ate a menu del dia in a different Spanish restaurant each week and go out for a drink in the evening. The good thing about this programme is that I can still do this so I don't feel constrained. If I do not want to eat an evening meal on these days I just have a second Herbalife shake instead. Also I try to increase my exercise the next day as Linda noted alcohol slows metabolism.

After the initial course I kept on coming to the Wellbeing Centre weekly as I think this is a good way to prevent me from slipping back into bad habits again. On one or two occasions I know I have overdone it and have known it will show up on the scales or in my measurements but I think these are the crucial times to attend and get re-motivated. I have always been able to get back on track after talking it through.

I have been attending for 6 months now and have lost 39 inches and 3 stone in weight. I feel much better, look much better and will continue to follow this lifestyle.

I first met Linda in March 2007 when I started on the Herbalife eating plan.  Meeting her every week for a friendly chat and a weigh in encouraged me to lose (eventually) 17lbs and reach my target weight. I then 'had a break' from Herbalife and one holiday, Christmas and New Year later, I was 10lbs heavier! I went back in April and Linda welcomed me as though I had never been away. She is now in her new premises under The Club which are very nice to visit and I look forward to going there every week. Linda's own weight loss is great motivation to everyone.

I have lost 1 and a half stone in 10 weeks on the 12 week weightloss challenge. It has been very easy to follow once you remember the rules. Writing a food diary and weekly weigh-ins have been a really good spurt. I have increased my exercise and am no longer a couch potato. Swimming, walking, water aerobics, toning tables and so on are now a part of my daily routine. I am VERY much fitter, walk faster (take longer strides). I am treating it as a full time job and it's working for me.

I have always said that I could not lose weight unless I gave up my social life. Not at all true. Just choosing the right foods is the answer. Eating protein every 3 hours was hard to start bur drinking the water was easy.

Linda, as you know, I was very apprehensive about this, but you have given me so much encouragement I can't thank you enough. This is a whole new part of my life and it's very exciting.

There is only one problem ahead that I can see - New Clothes! I hate all kinds of shopping!