Valerie, 47, recalls: ‘When I saw that picture of myself with absolutely no waistline looking as wide as I did tall, I knew this could go on no more.’

Valerie battled with her weight for most of her adult life, which was dominated by the tragic deaths of her dad and younger brother. She admits: ‘I didn’t really care about what I was eating.’ She would lose weight for a special occasion, such as her wedding to Tony, but put it on again. Her office-based job didn’t help with colleagues bringing in cakes for birthdays and leaving dos.

On joining Rosemary Conley Online, Valerie weighed 13st 1lb. She cut out unhealthy snacks, measured her portion sizes and started exercising enthusiastically. Within five weeks she’d lost her first stone. She loves the Coffee Shop where she can chat with other members: ‘I’ve made some brilliant buddies and we really motivate each other.’

Now 10st 1lb and a size 12, Valerie is proud to be a good role model for her two young sons.

*Weight-loss results may vary