ROSEMARY Conley is arguably Britain's most successful diet and fitness guru, with over 25 years' experience of helping people to loose weight and get fitter.

It was in 1986, as a result of a gall bladder problem, that she started to follow a low-fat diet in an attempt to avoid surgery.

She discovered that this way of eating stream-lined her body in a way she'd never been able to
achieve on previous diets.

Keen to share this knowledge with others, she decided to put her experiences on paper.

The result was her Hip and Thigh Diet, which dominated the best sellers for many years, in the first eight years she sold over two million copies.

She shows no sign of slowing down and at the age of 61 has just launched another exercise DVD which is already racing up the charts as people seek to battle the post Christmas bulge.

In this new fitness DVD Rosemary works with Coleen Nolan and helps get her into the best shape of her life.

She slimmed from a size 18 to a trim size 10. Rosemary spoke to reporter Mari Jones, who is about to embark on her own fight for fightness.

When asked on her thoughts as to why the British population is steadily becoming one of the fattest nations on earth, whilst the diet industry keeps on growing.

Rosemary commented: "It's because of lifestyle changes, people have more disposable income now and so dine out more and eat three courses.

"Takeaways have also become a huge industry and people cook less and prefer to buy ready made meals which are very often very high in fat and salt.

"Portions are also now so much bigger and most people have sedentary jobs, and then go home and veg out in front of the TV.

"Twenty years ago everybody would go out and shop and many had to carry their shopping home on the bus or whatever, now even groceries can be ordered online."

Rosemary is also not a fan of the supersized meals: "I despair of this supersize age, you see these huge pizzas and huge bars of chocolate and I just think it's madness.

"People munch away destroying their shape. I think the Government should do far more to tackle the problem, they need to speak to food manufacturers about their products, and there should be far more education in schools about following healthy diets.

"Mixed messages are being given, most schools don't even teach cooking anymore.

Then there is this crazy celebrity culture where impressionable young women are constantly being shown pictures in magazines of size zero celebs which is neither healthy or attractive."

As for the best diet tips and what Rosemary ate over the festive season she stayed well away from Christmas cake and cream.

"I think exercise is vital to a successful diet, you burn fats faster and it helps you to really tone up.

"I actually hate going to the gym and much prefer exercise classes as they are far more fun and sociable.

"As for what I eat I follow a low fat diet, I drink semi skimmed milk and eat plenty of yogurt, at Christmas I don't even bother buying cream I just replace it with Greek yogurt.

"There's also no point buying Christmas cake as nobody eats it in our house but we do indulge in mince pies."

And as to Rosemary's secret recipe for having such a long career ? She said: "I'm absolutely dedicated to telling the truth, my DVD's are safe and effective.

"I would never do anything for a fast buck, if somebody offered me £10m I wouldn't do it."
And with that she was gone on her way to see some family in Norfolk.

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