It was purely by accident that Rosemary Conley discovered the benefits of her now famous Hip & Thigh Diet. Having been diagnosed with gall stones she was given the option of either surgery or eating less fat. She chose the change in her diet, and was amazed at how quickly her body shape totally changed making her look and feel the best she had ever felt in her life. Having created a special low fat diet for herself, then her extensive research of its effect, combined with the right exercise, has meant that Rosemary`s diet plan has given new hope to millions.

Her book, the `Complete Hip & Thigh Diet` became an international best-seller in 1988, and remained on the top selling list for more than nine years, selling in excess of two million copies. Subsequent books and videos have all been instant best-sellers, and her realistic diet and fitness programmes have brought hope and motivation to millions.

The high media profile that Rosemary maintains with her many television and radio appearances compliment her writing skills regularly featured in her own column for several magazines and journals. Her own Diet & Fitness Magazine was published in 1996, and with contributions from leading experts in the fields of nutrition, health and fitness, has become one of the most authoritative magazine in its field.

The Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Clubs were launched in 1993 across the UK. Operating under a franchise system, carefully selected instructors are fully trained to teach the Rosemary Conley philosophy of fitness. It has become the fastest growing franchise operation in the UK, with over 2,300 weekly classes throughout the country. Rosemary has worked in the diet and fitness industry for twenty-five years, and is now established as the market leader in this field.

Rosemary lives in Leicestershire with her husband, Mike Rimmington, with whom she runs the Rosemary Conley Group of companies. She has a daughter by her first marriage, and they are all committed Christians. In fact Rosemary`s faith has never been an embarrassment to her, but rather has been an important link to how she feels we should look after the bodies that God has given us.

 Rosemary Conley`s favourite Bible verse is:

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.

I Corinthians 13 verses 4-7.

I became a Christian in 1986 when I asked the Lord into my life. I surrendered totally to Him and from that moment on I have tried to live my life His way - not mine!

There were no blinding flashes of light or cracks of thunder or puffs of smoke when I asked Jesus into my life, but I know that as soon as I had prayed, kneeling at the side of my bed, something very dramatic had happened. When I awoke the next morning I knew that my sins had been forgiven, and I was reborn and ready to live a new life. I had no idea my life would change so dramatically in the years that followed.

Whilst I have enjoyed great success with my books, videos, diet and fitness clubs and magazine, none of it could have been achieved without the blessing of the Lord. He gave me the energy, the ideas, the opportunities, and the humility to realise that what I had achieved was God`s own gift.

One of the most dramatic changes in how I felt was the reason why I have chosen these verses. Since I became a Christian, I have felt the most unbelievable amount of love towards my husband, my daughter and towards my fellow human beings. I know that this is God`s love reaching through me to touch others. We cannot survive in this world without love and the feeling that we are loved.

Amazingly the more we love others the more love they give back, perhaps that is one of the greatest things I have learnt since becoming a Christian. I remember at first being very worried that I didn`t know how to serve the Lord. Then one day, after having a chat with a minister, and his reassurance that the Lord would tell me in his own good time what he wanted me to do, I felt more relaxed. Extraordinarily as I drove home after that very conversation I turned on the radio and the next song to be played was Cliff Richard and Sarah Brightman singing that beautiful song from `Phantom of the Opera` "All I ask of You". The lyrics sang out what I believed was my message from the Lord - "All I ask of you is that you love me". In my mind it was so clear that this was the message that was being given to me and I was elated because I felt yes, I could do that easily.

This was a turning point for me. Every day I try to remember to tell the Lord, as well as my husband, that I love Him. Love is something that we should never take for granted, but to know that the Lord Jesus loves us more than we could ever love Him, should be one of the greatest comforts we will ever experience. It is His love at work through us, that enables me to face each day determined to help others in whatever way He shows.

 Prayer: