When you're afraid of losing control, food is your enemy. You dread every meal and snack. And, when you binge, it sets up a horrible vicious cycle – feel bad, promise to be good, fail, feel even worse.

For over 12 years I was trapped in that cycle, bingeing every day. I hated myself for having so little willpower. Then I discovered that willpower had nothing to do with it. That people who didn't binge weren't stronger or better than me, they just happened to be what I call happy eaters.

Happy eaters lose weight and stay slim without ever being 'on a diet'. Their lives aren't dominated by worrying about food. They enjoy the food they love. And they never deprive themselves of anything they really want.

I also discovered that you can learn to be a happy eater, and now I'm one myself. This book includes all of the strategies that made such a huge, positive difference to my life; I hope they will do the same for you.