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‘I’ve become a cover girl’Name Lucy Abberley Age 32 From Pontypridd Height 5ft 8in Weight before 13st 6lb Weight now 10st 2lb Dress size before 18 Dress size now 12‘I never imagined I would be on the cover of a magazine. I used to avoid going out because I was so ashamed of how overweight I’d become.

‘My weight problems began when I became a single mum at the age of 24 to Liam (now 10). In the evenings, I felt so lonely I’d sit on the sofa devouring treats. By the time I met my partner Rob I was a size 16. We had two children in quick succession – Ricky, who’s two-and-a-half, and Sonny, who’s 10 months old – and my post pregnancy weight ballooned to 13st 6lb. Rob always told me how lovely I looked but I still felt fat and frumpy.

‘I used the kids as an excuse not to go out. I snacked all day and in the evening I’d have a huge dinner. Eventually I realised I couldn’t carry on like that so when I was organising a party for my parents’ wedding anniversary, I decided to diet and look my best for it.

‘After doing some research online I picked Tescodiets.com and chose the Low Carb diet – you’re allowed meat and cheese but no bread or pasta. It was so simple to follow, and best of all I was making friends online with people who were in the same boat as me.

‘I lost weight really quickly and then started to go swimming regularly with my mum to help me tone up, something I would have avoided at all costs before, because I was so self-conscious about my body.

‘By the time the party came around my size 14 dress had to be taken in as I’d lost so much weight. And I even stood up and gave a speech, something I would never have dreamed of doing when I was bigger.

‘Now that I’m down to a size 12 my energy levels are really high. I recently bumped into someone I hadn’t seen for a while, and she nearly walked past me. She told me I looked amazing and it felt fantastic.’

www.tesco.com/magazine Tesco magazine . 43 www.tesco.com/magazine

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Look atColette, our cover girl Lucy, Julie and Deane have all been on life-changing diets. Here they share their inspirational stories

us now...Name Colette Smith Age 48 From Liverpool Height 5ft 2½in Weight before 22st 2lb Weight now 10st 9lb Dress size before 32 Size now 12‘Our youngest daughter Meg, who is now 19, was born with a rare medical condition that left her physically disabled. I had to give up work to look after her, and when she and her older sister Stacy were at school, I snacked on crisps and biscuits out of boredom. Then I’d get depressed about the weight I’d gained, which led to eating even more. On top of which I’d also enjoy a big dinner each night with my husband Eric.

‘I tried dieting over the years but always lost interest. Gradually as my weight crept up the only clothes I could wear were like tents and I had no energy. One morning I was struggling to lift Meg and it hit me, ‘What if I wasn’t around to look after her any more?’ I realised I had to lose weight fast.

‘I decided on the Light Choices plan from Tescodiets.com. The mix of freshly prepared and convenience foods really suited me. Eric and the girls were very encouraging. I started walking and now do at least two miles five days a week. I also go to a keep fit class twice a week.

‘The best part of being slim is how fit and healthy I am. But the bonus is that clothes shopping is now a real thrill, instead of a chore. I feel brilliant. My husband jokes he has a new woman in his life.’

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‘My wedding-dress diet saved my life’Name Julie Howard-Stevanovic Age 35 From South Shields Height 5ft 7in Weight before 11st 8lb Weight now 9st 8lb Dress size before 14 Dress size now 12 ‘The moment I saw the white Grecian-style wedding dress I knew it was perfect for my Cyprus wedding. There was just one problem. I had a bit of a tummy and naturally I wanted to look my best when I made my vows, so I decided to go on a diet. In just 10 months I lost two stone from my tummy, bottom and breasts, and I even bought bikinis ready for Cyprus.

‘Then one morning last March I felt a lump in the side of my right breast, the size of a sprout. Unfortunately doctors confirmed it was cancer. I needed a mastectomy and the doctors were worried the cancer had spread.

‘The morning of the operation I kissed my kids goodbye, and as the taxi drove away I thought my heart would break as I wondered if I might not get the chance to see them again. Luckily after the mastectomy the doctors told me the cancer hadn’t spread.

‘Brent and I decided to bring our wedding forward, and in the spring 26 family and friends flew over to Cyprus. During the ceremony as we said “in sickness and in health” I started crying. It was so emotional for me but Brent was by my side to help me through it.

‘The doctors are pleased with my progress. I’ve just started dieting again, as I put on quite a bit of weight with the stress. But I wouldn’t have felt the lump if I hadn’t dieted in the first place

as it had been disguised by the fat. My wedding-dress diet didn’t just change my life – it saved it.’

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‘My self-esteem has rocketed’Name Deane Burlingham Age 40 From Hertfordshire Height 5ft 4in Weight before 14st Weight now 10st 7lbs Dress size before 20 Dress size now 12/14‘As I watched the family video, my cheeks burned red with shame. I just couldn’t believe that the fat woman I was watching on the screen was me. It made me determined to lose weight.

‘A few years previously I’d managed to lose three stone on a crash diet. But I’d put it all back on, and more. I was lazy about cooking so we always ate out a lot or had ready meals. Now I couldn’t even play with my children because it hurt so much to sit on the floor and it was a struggle to get up.

‘My partner Karl and I had decided to get married and there was no way I wanted to be a big bride. So I looked online for a diet and chose the Light Choices plan from Tescodiets.com.

‘It took me only eight months to lose 4st 5Ib. Karl joined too, and we both felt so good about ourselves we decided to bring the wedding forward. In 2008 I was crowned Tesco Slimmer of the Year, which gave me such a boost.

‘My self-esteem has rocketed – I wear tighter jeans and skirts than I have done in years, and my BMI has gone from 34 to 24. I’m so confident that I don’t care if anyone points a video camera at me. And now I can run and jump about with my children.

‘I know Karl loves me whatever size I am but I think he prefers the way I look now – and so do I.’

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