"After over 20 years of trying, I can now cross my legs."

Sophy you may remember that in late July 2012, you and Charlotte saw me at Newark Hospital. I then saw you again a few months later and emailed you once after that. It's about time for another update and a heartfelt 'thank you'.

As I told you at our second meeting, I couldn't do this on my own. I needed support and you couldn't hold my hand every day. Your advice made me check out ways of support that were not 'crack-pot' diets. I joined Slimming World in September 2012 and have gone to a meeting every week since then, only missing one week when I was on holiday. I weighed 25st 1lb, my blood pressure was about 150/100, and I was wheezing even when walking slowly.

Well, no more wheezing, blood pressure is now 122/80, and my weight (checked tonight) is 16st 10lbs.

I recently had to buy new knickers because the old ones kept threatening to fall down. The new ones are 5 (! ) sizes smaller.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot: After over 20 years of trying, I can now cross my legs.

Sophy, I am very grateful that the Dietetic Team exists and is available to people like me. I have to do all the hard work, and it takes such a lot of discipline and determination. But sympathetic experts like you are needed to point people who struggle with obesity in the right direction. When you said to me: "Contact me if you need any help! " I knew you meant it. I didn't need to get in touch again, but it has helped a lot to know that there is a safety net.

I'll continue, at my own pace, until I have reached about 15 stone, and have to buy new, smaller knickers again! : )