‘I Had A 17st Wine Belly'

Janine Hooley, 30, had no idea what partying was doing to her.

- Elizabeth Archer & Amisha Desai

Sinking on to the pub seat, I felt so fed up. ‘I just don’t understand it,’ I said to my friend, Laura. ‘I’ve been dieting for six months now and I’ve only lost 7lb.’

I reached for my glass of rosé and took a big slurp to make myself feel better. At 24, I was 5ft 7in and fed up of wearing size 20 blouses and flowery elasticated skirts.

Laura looked at me, then at the huge wine glass in my hand. ‘Well you do drink a bit,’ she said.

I looked up, ready to be affronted. But then I gave a sheepish smile. She was right. I did like my wine. In fact most nights I’d be down at the pub knocking back two or three glasses.

It had begun two years before, in 2007, when I’d split up with a boyfriend. To ease my heartache, I’d found solace with my mates at the pub.

Taking a toll