It was brilliant on the weekend not feel patronised in any way. I know everything there is to know about diets and nutrition and was so relieved to find that this is not what I was going to learn. As a size 8-10, carb-sugar phobic obsessed with exercising and dieting you realise thayt you can’t live in a certain “unhealthy” way like this forever. I’ve finally realised that that I might have to put on a few pounds or half a stone in order to actually be happy and finally not think about what I should and shouldn’t be eating. This realisation has come thanks to the Beyond Chocolate workshop in which I realised that the payoff was a few pounds weight gain or spending the rest of my life denying myself the food I love and which I binge on myself on anyway. From now on, I will try to use food as enjoyment and not as a tool to stay thin. I’m really looking forward savouring the food and eating pudding in a restaurant without feeling guilty. Something that was an alien concept before!

Lexi, Dorset

Wow! I feel like someone has just switched a light on inb my head! There is a long road ahead but I feel like someone has now given me the directions to get to a place I’ve always wanted to be at. I know it won’t be eady to change the habits of 35 years but the Beyond Chocolate principles of taking it slowly, millimetre by millimetre, means that I know I can become the me I’ve not even dared to dream of! THANK YOU!

Jayne Hall, Newport Pagnell

I found this to be a truly powerful course. Not only will I take home lots of skills and new ideas to change my relationship with food, but also a bond with an amazing group of girls I met. We are all different stones with a common theme. It was a very safe, nurturing group where we worked hard in the safe hands of Sophie and Audrey. I think this will change my life. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Pippa Kerslake, London

I almost didn’t make it here but I am so glad I did. This weekend has been a wonderful experience for me. Talking freely about my problems with people who understand was very comforting. The principles of Beyond Chocolate are a revelation to me. The more I think about then, the more they make sense. I am leaving with a completely different mind set and confident that the journey ahead will be one of self discovery. I am also happy to leave Dorset with the feeling that I can start enjoying food for what it is and appreciate it. Thank you very much for all the hard wortk and for inspiring me!

Allcock-Plazzotta, Belgium

I arrived at the beginning of the weekend but sure what to expect or what we would do, but hoping for a magic wand to help me lose weight! Despite some initial cynicism I soon discovered a safe, warm and comfortable environment where we could all be REALLY honest – and I mean REALLY honest! I discovered new things about myself and found support to help me taker the principles of Beyond Chocolate into my everyday life. I feel challenged by what I have learnt but ready to give it a go and learn from my mistakes. I now leave feeling inspired and cherished!

Jo Noble, Greenhithe

A huge thank you to Sophie and Audrey for all their help and guidance over the workshop. It was great to be surrounded by people of all walks of life who ultimately have the same problems as me. What a great learning experience. I have learned a huge amount and look forward to using it in my life. Not straight away, but I hope to be diet free sometime in the near future!

Lisa Berlyn, London

Excellent materials provided, I felt really special to be on one of Sophie's courses. After a truly wonderful weekend with like minded women, I no longer have to start tomorrow anymore. My life can start now. Good bye 'on and off mentality. Hello 'being free'.

Julie Jones, Weymouth

I learned so much about myself this weekend and I am feeling sad to say goodbye to everyone and the warm supportive environment full of love and understanding. I fell like a weight is in the process of being lifted off my shoulders and I have grabbed the strength I need to lift that weight myself.

Toni Malone, London

I have left this course with an array of strategies at my fingertips. I feel heard, supported, inspired and nourished.

Eileen Williams, London

I like to consider myself a Beyond Chocolate success. I realised during and after the course that I started to accept myself exactly as I am and gained the confidence to accept the fact – which eventually lead me to lose 2 stone so far… and counting down! The weekend is an interesting concept. The benefits that I gained include acknowledging food in a way that we are normally encouraged not to (especially all of our favourite things!) Keeping a food journal, thought provoking exercises and learning simple facts to help regain control of the anxiety of spiralling eating habits. It is an ongoing process as we are all aware, but with the continued support Beyond Chocolate offers, success is ensured.

Amy Wilson, Broxbourne

Just reading through the news letter eating a tube of mini eggs! I have to say life since Beyond Chocolate has been fantastic - i don't obsess about what i'm going to eat, I eat mostly without guilt and have a totally transformed relationship with food - everyone especially ex-boarding school pupils should do the course!

Arielle, London

Clair Ashford,
A warm, welcoming environment, with great food, where you truly explore your relationship with food.

Tracey Merrett,
The weekend was an intensive investigation into my relationship with food, carried out in a supportive and nurturing environment. It has given me a way forward.

You have a truly original and revolutionary idea.
I very much enjoyed the weekend and I did feel that I came away with a lot of very useful information.

Since then I have found that my relationship with food has changed. I do find, for example that knowing that I can eat whatever I want when I want, has taken the "sheen" off certain alluring foods.

I do feel more in control.
I have also learnt a lot about portion control.
What I am glad about though, and it happened the other week, was being at the theatre and really fancying a vanilla ice cream in the interval, I bought one, and literally 5 small spoonfuls later I knew that my desire had been sated and I threw the rest away with relief.
That felt truly like having learnt a real lesson.

Fanny, Glasgow

I have really enjoyed myself. At lot of preparation and planning is evident, needed and works well. Very well though out course.

Paula P, Hampshire

Beyond Chocolate was, for me, a truly positive experience. Beyond Chocolate isn't a "quick fix" - it's taken thirty years for my relationship with food to develop to what it is and I'm not going to be able to change it overnight! What Beyond Chocolate has done is give me the confidence that it can be changed.

Kay S., London

Beyond Chocolate has given me the confidence and strength, as well as the tools, to help me overcome my problem with compulsive eating. The 8-week journey was not only inspiring, but fun too and the support of the other members, and Sophie's encouragement, has been invaluable. I wish Beyond Chocolate had been around 20 years ago!

Soulla P, London

Two months on from the residential weekend course my disastrous life-long eating habits have begun to be overridden by new habits that give me freedom to eat whatever my body truly desires and new attitudes to be nice to myself. This is the undoing of a lifetime. It's hard work and it's slow, but thanks to Beyond Chocolate I really do feel that the impossible is achievable. I feel fantastic and so relaxed, I don't eat 'forbidden foods' in secret (I don't throw food away, I even get hungry, and like it!). It's not about weight, it's about what's more important; you or food?

Kiri, Shropshire

Relaxing, challenging, informative and motivating. So far I have become good at tasting every morsel that goes into my mouth. I am finding that the longer I take and the more I savour, the less I need to eat. So far so good.

Liene B., Oxfordshire

It finally feels like I am on my way to freedom. If you have spent any of your life with an unhealthy relationship with food you MUST come on this course.

Gabby, Brighton

This course said everything I instinctively know to 'feel' to be true - it was so good and so refreshing to know that other people feel the same. I read the book and then I knew I wanted to go on a workshop because I was hungry to learn more. The workshop didn't disappoint and I feel positive and inspired.

Samantha Beere, London

I really enjoyed the course and found it a useful companion to the book. Sophie and Audrey great, food wonderful and brilliant to spend 2 days in the company of other like minded women.

Tina M., Lincolnshire

Having read the book first I fou8nd the weekend workshop more than lived up to my high expectations. A truly liberating experience. I cannot remember ever having so much fun and pleasure in one weekend with such genuinely lovely people, fabulous food. Totally positive - 10/10.

Gudrun Bedson, Wolverhampton

Beyond chocolate has made a noticeable impact on my life. The weekend gave me invaluable tools to cope with an eating disorder that has haunted me for 16 years and at the time was totally controlling my life. I have increased my confidence and I am feeling happier in my body. We were encouraged to stay in touch with another participant for 8 weeks to continue the support. My chocolate chum has been wonderful and 9 months later we still chat for 30 minutes every week. Another lady on the course lives near me and we meet up regularly, I couldn't have done it without them. When I focus on what the course taught me I don't binge or purge or diet or starve. I just enjoy gorgeous food and socialising - something that I had never done before. I also lost weight after the course without trying which was a bonus. Practising this with like minded people on the weekend helped me to put it into practice in real life unlike reading a book (and I've read many!). I would recommend Beyond Chocolate to anyone who struggles to control their relationship with food, it has helped me enormously.

Victoria Gilholm, Wallingford

Now, I make sure that I have a nice selection of my favourite goodies to choose from. Having the wonderful 'secrets' of eating consciously and stopping at enough, eating whatever I want, anything at all, (no need to be jealous of people who eat what they want and don't get fat!) means that I can too if I focus on my delicious self! Beyond Chocolate has been life changing and such a precious gift.

Caroline Jonson-Marshall, London

I have been eating everything that I love for over a year: mascarpone cheese, bacon rind, toast and butter, peanut butter ... and Brussels sprouts. I discovered that I positively longed for Brussels sprouts - especially with Parmesan cheese ... or melted butter ... or black pepper. The other day on the radio I heard a dietician say the very words "eating what you want and when you are hungry is a recipe for getting fat". My brain added "- in the short term" because I know that my weight has been stable for over a year. I do not weigh an ounce more. My friend, who I have encouraged but not succeeded in converting to the Beyond Chocolate way, has spent a year of managing her weight in different ways, with the result that she is back where she began. I have listened while she complained about points, counted carbs, plodded through diet drinks, and eaten a salad when the weather was cold and when it really called for a baked potato. I've had so much pleasure, while she has been so sad. That's the difference the Beyond Chocolate way makes.'

Cathie Wilson, Dorset

Before, I always used to be about to start a diet, be on a diet or have just broken a diet. I thought if I could just "get slim" it would solve all my problems. I used to spend lots of money on slimming clubs, foods and books. Now, I spend my money on other things such as weekly fresh flowers and gorgeous moisturiser. I always have chocolate in the fridge sand I can eat it anytime. I don't have to go through the humiliation of slimming clubs any more and I now have a free evening to pamper myself or catch up with friends. I have broken the diet cycle and I feel FREE… I am now in control of the foods that I eat. I don't need to pay someone else to tell me which foods to put into my body.

Victoria Irwin, London

As someone who has benefited enormously from individual psychotherapy, over several years, I was also aware that somehow my "emotional eating" remained untouched by this approach. I understood why and when I ate, but seemed unable to stop myself. That is until I took the Beyond Chocolate Multi-Media course. Being told that I could eat ANYTHING I fancied when I felt hungry, was truly liberating! By eating what I really wanted, and taking the time to enjoy it, meant there was a satisfaction that stopped me looking for more. Not every time, but most . I have had a box of chocolates in my office for several weeks, and if I feel like it, I eat one. In the past, I would have heard the box shouting 'eat me, eat me" and only eating the lot, would silence it. That's all changed. So thank you Sophie, for hitting the parts that psychotherapy can't reach.

Karen Oldall, London

I now have a biscuit barrel full of biscuits, and a dozen frozen scones in the freezer. And I don't feel the need to eat any of them. I am working my way through my favourite foods - so I had a full Chinese meal on Sunday evening (experiment - too much food it would appear), roast chicken with all the trimmings on Monday, and tonight I am having a fondue. It is also fantastic not to buy low fat anything when I am in the supermarket.

Judith S, Hampshire

I spent 10 hours with 23 fabulous women learning how to stop dieting and how to change the way we think about eating, food, our bodies and losing weight. It was absolutely brilliant! The one-day workshop is a great way to explore your own personal challenges with all of the above. It is not an all day therapy session that involves mirrors, chanting or a quick-fix scheme. It is an enlightening discussion that will bring a new outlook on how you approach food, diets and your bodies. I am excited to make changes in my life and would recommend this to any woman who has ever struggled with these issues. Hmmmm… That might be every woman in the world, don't you think?

Lee Turner, London

Refreshing concept. It feels like I'm going back to basics to learn how to eat again.

Lorraine Collis, London

I really enjoyed this weekend much more than I thought I would. I would definitely recommend it to friends wanting to break the 'diet' lifestyle. Thank you so much! I really appreciated Audrey and Sophie's honesty about their previous eating habits, it made me realise I wasn't alone.

Amy Daw, London

It was a fantastic workshop in the most fabulous venue. Sophie is insightful and incredibly sensitive with all of us an Audrey was amazing in her generosity, her can do attitude and amazing ability to 'magic' all our requests! It was great to be on a 'retreat' and not have to think much about anything and just have space. It was great to have so much on offer and just to be able to choose. It was great to have time to integrate. The pool, massages, beauty treatments and time for socialising and walks. The workshop was eye opening and life changing and yet was presented with simplicity and humour. I love the way the group felt like old friends in no time and there was much laughing and camaraderie from joint experiences. It was great. Just do it!

Stella Michael, London

You both provide an exceptional workshop that does not have it's equal in Europe as far as I know and I've been on many. Thank you for being so nurturing, loving and skilled to make a huge difference in my life and by giving me the tools to change. It's refreshing to see how down to earth you are, it gives me hope and trust that I too can be in control of my chocolates! Being for once in my life so well taken care of and being in every way able to actually be myself was the most valuable part of the workshop. This was an incredible week. The care you provide on a personal level is excellent and well beyond my expectations and I often stay at 5 star places. Your personal commitment and caring shines through everything to provide and creates a basis of nurturing and relaxation.

Dr Maxi Coburn, Berlin

My second Beyond Chocolate retreat has been another wonderful opportunity to look at my relationship with food and with myself. A chance to step away from my role and just be 'me'. I have loved it. Thank you again Sophie and Audrey!

Sarah Layton, London

The Beyond Chocolate Retreat offered me the opportunity, for the first time ever, to examine my relationship with food, my body and myself as a whole in a totally non-judgemental, sympathetic environment. Finding myself in the Italian countryside with strangers talking about such personal issues could have been incredibly daunting and difficult but with the help, encouragement and support of Sophie, Audrey and the other participants I found myself opening up in a way I really hadn't expected. Years of inappropriate ideas, behaviours and feelings were gently exposed, unravelled and understood and I now feel I have the tools and, most importantly, the courage to help me on the way to really enjoying food without guilt or fear of losing control. A big thank you to the team who have opened my eyes to a world of possibilities.

Clare H, London

Just thought I'd give you update since I did the e-course course last year. I have lost 8lbs in 4 weeks!!! I'm finally listening to what my body is craving and needs nutritionally. I find your book handy to refer back to if I lose sight of what it's all about and think it was the best £150 that I ever spent!!!

Marianne H.

I had wanted to be free from the dieting madness for many years and this e-course course seemed like a sound and safe way to explore this option. With constant encouragement, praise and practical solutions during the entire length of this course, I opened my eyes and changed my attitude towards eating. It feels easy and natural and I am very pleased that I treated myself to this gift.

Doris, London

For anyone who has suffered or is suffering from a poor relationship with food - this is the answer! A totally liberating experience in a safe environment with like minded people, thank you! I am very excited at continuing my journey and really glad I came on the 1 Day workshop course having done the e-course course. The Beyond Chocolate principles make sense, are non-threatening and are 'do'-able. The whole issue of body image / size has been invaluable in the way it has been explained and illustrated.

Louise, Essex

I loved the workshop! I really related to everything. So glad I came. A totally fresh approach to my relationship with food - which is complex. The future seems brighter now and I am full of hope and anticipation for a life free of food obsession. I would recommend Beyond Chocolate to other women Because it's real, it does change the way you think about food and because there is nothing else out there like it, and because it's the best thing since sliced bread (and Ben and Jerry's ice cream!

C. Morgan, Cardiff

After today I am more convinced then ever that No Diet is the only way to have a healthy relationship with food. Thank you so very much. I have enjoyed every minute of it. The workshop has opened a whole new world of perspectives to the mind-body-food relationship. It is a real revelation and I highly recommend it.

Savannah, London

Beyond Chocolate addresses all those 'ugly' things so many women live with but no one talks about. Gives you real tools to change them.

T. Y. London

It's been such a valuable and enjoyable day, I'm so glad I've had the chance to join in. I uncovered things I never expected, that have truly changed my attitude to food. I'm really looking forward to trying out the different action points and suggestions, and feel for the first time in ages, genuinely excited about food with no guilty side effects.

Rosie, London

Beyond Chocolate has equipped me with information to make the choice of leading myself gently down the path that leads to where I want to get to. It will prove beyond doubt that you are not alone, in that, many other women go through the same angst about food and their bodies, plus it is an opportunity to start over again in your relationship with your body and food that is mutually beneficial, kind and respectful.

Caroline G., London

Really loved it all - Thank you for all the valuable pieces - women really need to hear this, it will set them free on so many levels than just weight. If you are interested in finding your own unique way of enjoying a satisfying relationship with your body and food, this is for you.

Nikki Towsend, Bristol

It truly has been a revelation. After years of being in the dietary darkness, I see the light. I've always been very envious of women who were able to whatever they wanted, why wasn't I able to? I now know I have the tools to make that a reality. I have such gratitude to Audrey and Sophie. Thank you. I would definitely recommend Beyond Chocolate to other women. Having tortured myself for years with my relationship with food and my body image, I cannot recommend it highly enough. What a well thought of, well planned and inspiring course...andhe book is marvellous too!

Sara Louis Jones, Cardiff

Beyond Chocolate has already made a difference to my relationship with myself. Beyond Chocolate has been a light to me - guiding me my way out of the darkness of food / weight obsession. I passionately believe in the Beyond Chocolate philosophy. The workshop has helped me gain a deeper understanding of what I have read in the book and worked through on the e-course. I leave a more confident, supported and optimistic person

Free Diva

I was anxious beforehand because I didn't know what to expect but I really enjoyed the workshop. It has been enlightening and empowering. I have come away with a totally different mindset about 'healthy' eating and how I feel about my body

Jill, London

I feel as if a curtain has been lifted, a door has been opened and I can see a light though it. I think it will have a huge impact on my future relationship with food. Beyond Chocolate really can empower you to change your life.

Ann, Herts

The book was awesome and the workshop has cemented much of my learning. I really enjoyed the workshop. Thank you for making the difference!

Madeline, Watford

Beyond Chocolate allows the freedom to break free from diets for the rest of your life and bring back the pleasure to eating.

Carol Sheppard, Surrey

Already I feel more free and have a real sense of the peace of mind I came here looking for… I'm O.K.! I would recommend Beyond Chocolate to women who want to set themselves free from the grips of the diet mentality and start to truly trust themselves and own their own value again.

G. E., Middlesex

I really enjoyed meeting Sophie and Audrey and all the ladies on the workshop. I truly felt that today will change my life. This is going to work where other diets have not.

Barbara, Surrey

I feel like my mind and my body have become one again. Beyond Chocolate is a way of freeing yourself and most importantly, learning to love yourself (and food!) again.

Samantha, Brighton

I feel it has made me communicate with myself to see what is really going on inside my head regarding my relationship with food. Beyond Chocolate gives you back control. Audrey and Sophie…what a couple of Angels! Thanks a million

Andrea Mcgreal, Cambridge

I can thoroughly recommend the Beyond Chocolate approach. Since I started by attending a 1 Day Workshop in October 2006, I have come a long way. No more diets for me - they didn't work anyway! The Beyond Chocolate approach to insightful eating and exploration of my relationship with food and body issues, is a worthwhile journey to embark on!

Alison R, Essex

I wish I had done Beyond Chocolate a long time ago. It has been great to spend time with like minded women in a safe, caring and nurturing environment. Thank you Chocolate Fairies!

Hilary, Oxfordshire

I would recommend anyone who has food issues or is unhappy with their body image or relationship with food to attend a Beyond Chocolate workshop. There are no magic wands but the Chocolate Fairies hold out a sense of hope and that there might be another way forward.

Samantha, London

I am a Beyond Chocolate success - yes it works - I now have found a freedom I never thought I would. Thanks to Sophie and Audrey!

Lynda, Berkshire