Nathalie Benton, 31, director in operations at UBS, dropped two dress sizes after challenging herself to go on a gruelling boot camp.

It was while I was reading a magazine a few months ago that I noticed a story about how Jade Goody had lost weight after going on a boot camp.

I needed to lose a bit of weight and fancied doing something similar.? There was also a lot going on at work and I needed to get away…. then I spotted an advert for the New You Boot Camp in Wales, and on a whim, I booked it.? “Our group was picked up from the station by one of the trainers and taken to a farmhouse in the middle of the countryside. We were given shared rooms and then after a weigh-in and a fitness test, we were split into groups depending on our fitness levels.?” The staff ran through a list of rules – such as what time we had to get up (usually 5am) and how two leaders would be instructed to get the rest of the girls downstairs with the correct kit each morning. If we failed, there would be punishments in the form of press ups, squat thrusts or star jumps.

We’d begin each day by lining up in height order and then going for a march before breakfast. We then had 10 minutes to get the right PE kits for the rest of the day before embarking on our next activity. ?From one hour to the next we never knew what we’d be doing, but it ranged from boxing, outdoor circuits, cricket and team sports to walks, team-building exercises such as raft building, and running.

The first three days were the toughest – and we were advised just to focus on getting past the first three day….while our bodies adjusted to the regime – although I sometimes went to the gym at home, it was quite sporadic. We were also given nutritional advice and healthy diets to follow. But I soon got used to it, especially as the two boot camp staff were so goodlooking! And the group got on brilliantly. On the last day, we did the same fitness test that we’d done at the start of the week, and the results were amazing! Everyone had improved.

Since I’ve been home, I’ve had a real spring in my step. I can’t bear being inside and I go to the gym four mornings a week before work. It’s also boosted my confidence. I feel great – my hair is shiny, my nails are growing and my diet is so much healthier.  I’ve also made some life-long friends and we meet up regularly. In fact, we’re going abseiling and planning to do a 5k run together soon. Boot camp made me realise that with a little teamwork, you can do anything – and the brilliant thing is we all want each other to succeed.

I loathe being back at work as I would rather be outside marching, walking, running, playing any team sport I can as I have excess energy that is building inside me… I have had more emotional moments now I am back with flashbacks and I really miss the girls who shared my journey on NYBC.

I can’t wait to meet up with them all soon and arrange a sports related reunion.

Since returning I have lost 9.5 pounds, 8.5 inches and gone from a Size 12 to a gorgeous Size 8… how good is that – just in one week! You can’t put a price on that!*

Thank you NYBC team.