I only wish I'd lost weight years ago

When Polly Gray agreed to be a guinea pig for a new diet little did she realise just how successful it would prove to be. She shed more than 2st in six months and dropped nearly three dress sizes – and is still managing to keep her weight under control.

It was three years ago that Polly, now 64, agreed to be one of 50 people who would test out a new diet.

The diet – the Amazing New Inch Loss Plan – had been put together by Leicestershire's queen of diet and fitness, Rosemary Conley.

Polly, from Kibworth, said: "The pounds had crept on over the years and I was desperate to lose weight.

"I am a bit of a one for cake and I also loved potatoes – mashed, jacket potatoes, any potato – and with loads of butter.

"I knew I was putting on weight but I didn't take any notice for quite a long time.

"Then, one day I saw some photos of myself and I didn't like what I saw."

Polly, who works in a florist's shop, had tried a few diets but never quite managed to stick to them for very long.

So, as soon as she heard about an appeal for people to try out Rosemary's new diet she decided to apply.

Polly said: "Rosemary was looking for people who were 2st or more overweight – and I was.

"I decided this would be a new approach and such a good opportunity.

"Rosemary was going to be involved and I wasn't going to be doing it on my own."

At the weigh-in at Quorn Hall – the Quorn headquarters of Rosemary's empire – Polly tipped the scales at 11st 4lb.

She said: "I think it was the heaviest I had ever weighed.

"The aim was that we should lose one stone in a month. I didn't quite manage that. I lost 11lb but I was very pleased and I carried on.

"I had the real impetus to carry on and make it work."

As well as counting calories, Polly and her fellow "guinea pigs" were set activity challenges.

These included walking, sit-ups and other toning exercises.

Within six months, Polly had lost 2st 1lb and had dropped from a dress size of 14-16, to a size 10.

Rosemary was so impressed with Polly's progress that she featured her in her monthly diet and fitness magazine.

Polly said: "That was the cherry on the cake for me.

"The diet was very easy to follow and I didn't feel at all hungry.

"I only wish I had done it years ago, it was an absolute Godsend.

"It has not just been about losing the weight but it has been about losing the inches and having more energy.

"A lot of people have noticed how much fitter I am. When we were out for a walk, I would be trailing behind, but now I am out in front."

Polly, who has three children and two grandchildren, is still in a size 10 dress and keeping those extra pounds at bay.

She said: "I had so much help and support. I don't know if I could have done it without that."