Don't Tell Me I Can't......Start My Own Business At 51!

Galia Grainger was determined to share her detox regime...

- Frances Leate

Hiking through the leafy park lands of my Sussex retreat, I glance back to see my VIP guests and a camera crew lagging behind. They might be celebrities, but I’m not about to go easy on them...

‘Come on!’ I cajole. It doesn’t matter that I’m at least three decades older than most of them – while they’re struggling to keep going, I’m full of energy.

Ever since I set up my pioneering Slimmeria weight-loss retreat, I’ve been coaching women half my age on how to get the bodies they want. But I hadn’t always been this motivated.

I was naturally petite, but by my mid-30s I could no longer get away with eating and drinking what I wanted. By 46, I was a size 18 and over 13st – far too big for my 5ft 6in frame.

I had a busy career as a property consultant, but dreamt of working for myself. I tried to eat more healthily but my progress was so slow. Then a friend suggested I try a weight-loss retreat.