Gill Oliver learned how to improve her diet and health as she chilled out at a beautiful hotel in the Lake District.

Desperate to shift the pounds you piled on during the festive season? Don’t bother counting calories, just help yourself to more butter.

It may sound too good to be true, but according to weight-loss expert Dr Marie-Claire Wilson, her technique will not only make the weight drop off — it should stay off too.

“I like food, so I don’t believe any long-term eating plan should be restrictive or boring,” she pointed out.

The qualified medic, who trained at Cambridge University and University College in London, runs a three-day weight loss and wellbeing course at Armathwaite Hall Country House and Spa in the Lake District.

Her secret weapon to fighting the flab is called BioSignature analysis — a method based on measuring skinfold thickness to give insights into hormonal balance.

Over the past 35 years I have struggled through my fair share of faddy regimes including Atkins, F-Plan, cabbage soup, grapefruit and Cambridge diets.

And as someone who learned to recite the calorie content of almost any food or drink item before I gave up completely on diets, I was slightly sceptical when invited to give the BioSignature approach a whirl.

My treatment on day one kicked off with a one-to-one consultation with Dr Marie-Claire. After taking me through a detailed questionnaire about my lifestyle, eating and exercise habits, she produced a set of callipers and measured the flab on 12 parts of my body. This included my upper arms, tummy, upper back, thighs, calves, ribs and even under my chin.

The measurements were fed into a computer and the results gave an idea of my hormone levels and how they might be affecting my weight, mood and energy.

“Many diets don’t work because they are not designed for the individual,” she explained.

“People store fat in different places, depending on their hormonal balance, which also affects mood and energy levels.”

Typically, fat stored on the thighs points to an excess of the female hormone oestrogen, while a flabby stomach is linked to the stress hormone cortisol.

“Identifying and then correcting specific hormonal imbalances can bring dramatic results,”

Dr Marie-Claire added.

The BioSignature technique is not new. It is based on a technique invented by top sports coach Charles Poliquin, who developed it over three decades to boost the performance of Olympic athletes. Nutrition, exercise and supplements are used to even out any imbalances.

Thyroid problems, IBS, PMT, menopausal and winter depression are a few of the problems that can be eased using this method, according to Dr Marie-Claire.

Although my results revealed I am carbohydrate tolerant, she suggested I am eating too many refined carbs such as bread, pasta and potatoes, which is sapping my energy.

Surprisingly, my two-or-three-cups-of-strong-coffee-a-day addiction is not a problem, she says, although green tea would be healthier.

Unlike the majority of weight-loss gurus, Dr Marie-Claire is no fan of calorie counting.

“The problem with a lot of diets is that they involve calorie restriction. That can work in the short term but after a while your body tends to adapt,” she pointed out during a thought-provoking seminar on day two.

“Forget counting calories. Instead, really look at the ingredients in the foods you buy.”

One of the biggest evils is something called hydrogenated corn syrup, found in almost all sugary drinks, ready meals, deserts and cakes.

A popular myth, she claims, is that breakfast cereals are good for you. “People think it’s a healthy way to start the day but it’s not,” she said.

But before you reach for your morning grapefruit juice instead, forget it. The natural sugar that is found in any fruit becomes too high when processed into juice.

Apparently, the best way to start the day is with protein such as a steak or if you can’t face that first thing, scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or ham.

Porridge is also a good staple but we were warned off bread, even wholemeal, as it often contains glucose syrup.

Dr Marie-Claire believes stress is one of the major evils of our modern-day lifestyle that contributes to us piling on the pounds.

“We face a constant barrage of stress in the form of alarm clocks, transport and technology problems, deadlines and emotional conflicts.

“We grab food in a hurry without thinking and that we don’t have to worry about preparing. When you have a busy life, it can be very difficult to eat healthily.”

Dr Marie-Claire emphasised that the most important thing is to check the ingredients before you buy or eat something.

“Ideally, there should be no more than four ingredients listed. One or two is even better. Stick to simple, fresh foods,” she said.

She also told us to forget about margarines and low-fat spreads.

“Trans or hydrogenated fats are ones to avoid but natural fats such as butter and cream are absolutely fine.”

Processing dairy products and taking the fats out of them to make them low calorie changes them and can make them harmful, according to Dr Marie-Claire.

She advises sticking to full-fat versions and avoiding anything that has been ‘tampered with’, such as smoked or processed cheeses.

Holding the wellbeing and weight loss course at Armathwaite Hall is a perfect fit.

Set in 400 acres of stunning scenery near Keswick, the hotel has its own spa with an infinity pool, outdoor hydrotherapy pool, gym, exercise studio, sauna and whirlpool.

Treatments include facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps, hot stone therapy and there are classes in yoga and boxercise.

I opted for a full body massage, possibly the best I have ever had.

I was a bit worried we might be forced to live off lettuce leaves, but at each meal time there was a wide choice of really delicious foods and wine was served with dinner.

The dining room has a spectacular view of Bassenthwaite Lake and the Great Room where we gathered for pre-dinner drinks has a roaring fire, leather sofas and chairs and a real country house atmosphere.

After the course, Dr Marie-Claire sent me a personal summary which concluded that the amount of bread and pasta I eat is causing my energy peaks and troughs.

She recommended I swap these for complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, quinoa (a type of grain that is used like rice), root vegetables and oats. She also suggested I have my last cup of coffee no later than 4pm to help me sleep better.

The BioSignature weight loss and wellbeing break costs £375 per person for two nights. For more information, contact Armathwaite Hall Country House Hotel and Spa on 017687 76551 or visit the website: www.armathwaite-hall.com