In June 2006 Joanne wrote this.

"Beginning of November 2005 just back from half term holiday in Tenerife with the family, it was very hot and sunny and I was very fat and feeling miserable. I was 40 in July I didn’t want to be fat and 40…I am flicking through the Y.E.P. contemplating tea, its cold and wet miserable again I will cook something that’ll make me feel better. 

"I am a couple of weeks away from my 40th birthday dream trip to Las Vegas, just my husband and me (Yippee!). I am very excited but not as excited as I should be because the camera will be out constantly and I can’t stand pictures of me. Oh well just go with it. Buy a bigger pair of jeans. Apparently I will seem slim compared to most of America. The slimming club, my nemesis, beckons in January. I can see the advert in the paper ‘lose weight for Christmas’. Yes, then put it straight back on again.

"I turn the page quickly and notice an advert for Julie Woodcock Break the Habit Hypnotherapist. "Lose weight for good change your habits," it says. This seems too good to be true. I read the advert several times then think a bit too alternative weird and scary for me.  Slimming club here I come.  Worry about it after Christmas. BUT something made me tear the advert out of the paper and stick it on the notice board. Just in case.

"Fantastic trip to Vegas, fantastic Christmas If only I was slim enough to enjoy it. January arrives – and the thought of never being able to lose the weight. Young slim and sexy are a decade ago. I‘m 40 now. Middle aged or that’s how I feel.  I work out that it’s 12 weeks to the Easter hols .We are taking our young son (6) to Florida. If I lose a pound a week I will still be fat but also be feeling guilty about everything I eat and drink. No meals out for the next twelve weeks, massive disruption to my life. My whole focus will be on the Diet. Then I will put it all back on again in Florida. This is a vicious circle. I need to do something else.

"I remember Julie’s advert and re-read it then check the web site. Can all these people be making it up? Can Julie really change the habits and break the circle or will I end up barking like a dog or clucking like a chicken as you see on the stage shows? At this point I don’t care. Nothing can make me feel any worse about myself than I do! I discuss it with my husband and show him the website. He says he knows how miserable and depressed I am so suggests it wouldn’t hurt to ring Julie as despite my fears she can hardly hypnotise me down the phone and to speak to her may alleviate my fears. He also realises that Slimming club is not going to do either of us any good.  So give it a go.

"I phoned Julie the next day. THE BEST PHONE CALL I EVER MADE. My appointment is set for 21st Jan (Florida beckons on 30th March).

"Julie was immediately reassuring but honest.  Vanity aside I need to lose weight or obesity beckons with all its associated health problems. After a very long discussion about my eating habits (favourite subject of mine) Julie decided on the best path to take with me and then came the hypnosis. I was so nervous I was practically twitching from head to foot as obviously I hadn’t listened to the relaxation self hypnosis CD she sent me in case of barking dog clucking chicken scenario (CD is fantastic with benefit of hindsight). 

"I had absolutely no need to worry it was extremely relaxing and enjoyable and guess what? I didn’t bark! What I did do was lose weight. Over the next nine weeks I lost one and a half stone without feeling hungry, guilty or bored.The focus was no longer food and large portions and I drank gallons more water and haven’t had a cup of tea since. Just haven’t wanted one. Eating out is a large part of my life. I still eat out regularly cook dinner for friends and enjoy my life.

"By the time I go to Florida, young sexy slim me has returned and I have to buy new clothes as none of my old holiday tents fit me! My husband loves my new short shorts, inner confidence and sense of calm.  In three weeks in Florida I did put on four pounds but lost that within a week of returning home, plus within another week or so I’d lost a couple more pounds, habits change!

"It’s now June and the short shorts have been very useful in this hot weather. Last year I would have been so miserable and taken it out on everyone else as I tried to find something to wear.

"I have now lost nearly two stone and just cleared out 8 bins bags full of clothes from my wardrobes keeping nothing that doesn’t fit or look great. That’s a lot of emotional baggage that I don’t need anymore. I wish I could give you before and after photos but there are no photos of me before I lost weight as I always grabbed the camera so as not to be photographed; there are lots of photos now. Trusting Julie to change my habits is one of the best things I have ever done. I am healthy, happy and slim!

Thank you, Julie"

Joanne Dammone