"I grew up in a healthy, slim family, but by my mid-twenties, I was 5ft 3in and weighed over 12 stone. People saw a happy woman yet inside I was self-critical and used food as a comfort. My dependence on it made me despise myself and a pattern was set.
Over the years I tried every diet going, but each time I'd begin one an inner voice would say, 'You're not going to be able to do this, you'll fail, you always do.' To understand why I felt like it I began dipping into books on psychology and it was this that changed my life. I enrolled on a course that led to me qualifying as a hypnotherapist. It didn't solve my weight problem, but it gave me a fresh focus. In 1996, I was able to give up my administrative job and started teaching hypnotherapy at the London College of Clinical Hypnosis. For the first time I felt confident – and slowly, the weight began to disappear.
Whereas I used to get on the weighing scales every day, I now avoided them. I didn't diet; if I wanted a biscuit, I'd have one or two and stop there. I could never have looked at clothes smaller than a size 16, but a couple of months later I bought a size 14 dress and it felt great. I was happier and healthier and it spurred me on. When I reached a size 12 a few months after that, I was thrilled. Now, incredibly, I'm a size 10, which feels like a wonderful achievement.
I work with women who have struggled with their weight and self-esteem and it's amazing to hear the same comments. Women write to me and say, 'It's as if you can hear what's inside my head.' I can't of course, but I do know what it's like to be so self-critical."
To find out more about Georgia's work, visit www.georgiafoster.com
