Weighing 342 pounds, I had many health problems: polycystic ovaries, infrequent periods and constant PMS. I suffered terribly from IBS and heartburn, not to mention feeling bloated all the time. I had also developed asthma and back ache, from the strain of being so overweight.

I was seriously considering having stomach stapled, because none of the treatments that I had tried had helped my condition. Prescription and over the counter diet drugs were ineffective, and I couldn't stick to a diet for long enough to make it work. As a last ditch attempt, I decided to give Shola's eating plan a try. It was simple enough, sounded pretty sensible and looked like something I could make a go of.

I lost weight effortlessly following this plan. My first week's loss of 9 pounds was tremendous, and it was followed by several weeks of steady weight loss. For the first time ever I felt like I was getting out of the rut of overeating and weight gain. Sure, I had a few weeks when I went off the rails a little, but I never gained. Those weeks I just registered a smaller weight loss.

The food you need to eat is available in any supermarket, and the recipes are easy. I have adapted many of my own favorite recipes to fit in the plan, and they work out just great. I'm never hungry, I get to eat what I want, and I have more energy than I did when I was 13!

I have lost 143 pounds since starting the diet 6 months ago and most of my symptoms are gone. I would like to lose another 30 or so pounds but that's not going to be a problem at all. This diet's really easy to stick to and forgiving if you have the odd bad day.

Even my husband's lost 20 pounds on this diet - and he only eats the same food as me in evenings and weekends! He no longer sits in front of the TV after work, but has taken up jogging as he has so much energy these days.

Trudi Hinton, Age 33, London, UK

Thank you so much! I had just 7 weeks to lose weight before a class reunion and I was desperate! I lost 36 pounds, and dropped 4 dress sizes in 7 weeks. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe because none of my old clothes fit anymore.

Now that I have lost all my excess weight, I'm back to eating normally again. I haven't gained a single pound since I stopped your plan, but now I know which food combinations are effective for keeping the weight off!

Margie Phelps, Aged 25 Santa Rosa, CA

In my first 3 weeks, I lost 13 pounds. and I was really cheating!

I got to admit I really cheated when doing this diet. There was one week when I ate out twice and drank close to a bottle of wine each time. I eat the kid's leftovers and I still lost weight!

Lisa Sanberg, Aged 41, Tucson, AZ

As a vegetarian, I find it difficult to follow the low carb diets, as many of them place a lot of emphasis on animal proteins. I was finding that my aerobic exercises were not shifting my spare tyre and decided to try Shola's plan.

The results were very impressive. I lost 16 pounds in 6 weeks while making a few small tweaks to my normal way of eating. I was astonished something so elementary could give me such great results.

I'm now at my perfect weight and enjoying more energy and vitality than ever before. If you are finding that the usual exercises and diet plans don't do much for you, I suggest you try Shola's plan and lose weight now.

Preeta Singh, aged 51, Bradford UK

I am so impressed with how fast this programme is! I've slimmed down to a size 8 in 4 months- I haven't been a size 8 for 25 years!

Cooking for my family and me on this programme is easy. I still make the same meals and I don't make myself a separate meal either. I just follow your advice on how to turn an existing dish into a powerful slimming meal.

Mary O'Connor, Aged 49, Dublin, Ireland

There's always people saying "fourty, fat and finished". Well I'm almost there now. I never thought I would have this problem though, until my holiday snaps came back. That's when I realised I had to do something to lose the belly!

It's not that I eat a lot, but my job is mainly sitting behind a desk every day. Driving to and from work doesn't help a lot either, but what can you do. The job has always been bit hectic, travelling, eating in restaurants and hotels. Not that I complain about it, but when I am home I havent felt like going to the gym.

When I started following your system, it actually changed. It took me 8 weeks to lose 10 kilos (25 pounds) and I was able to combine the plan with entertaining clients, hotel food and all the travel. I've kept the weight off too. It's so easy and I'm really surprised that nobody else have discoverd this secret.

My stomach is now flat as a board, and I'm thinking of taking up exercise to get that 'ripped" look.

It's really amazing. I have even managed to convince my mother to try. I shall let you know what results she gets.

Ash Reid, 38, Copenhagen, Denmark

Thanks for the support. I was a bit naïve when it came to diet and fitness, but your emails really helped to educate me. Most importantly I lost 9 pounds in my first 10 days of doing this diet and have moved two notches on the belt. I'll soon be needing new trousers!

Cheers!

Anthony Molin, Aged 35, Inverness, Scotland