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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
Colette, our cover girl Lucy, Julie I was so ashamed of how overweight I’d become.
and Deane have all been on life- ‘My weight problems began when I became
a single mum at the age of 24 to Liam (now 10).
changing diets. Here they share In the evenings, I felt so lonely I’d sit on the sofa
their inspirational stories 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,
Name Colette Smith Age 48 From Liverpool and Sonny, who’s 10 months old – and my post
Height 5ft 2½in Weight before 22st 2lb Weight pregnancy weight ballooned to 13st 6lb. Rob
now 10st 9lb Dress size before 32 Size now 12 always told me how lovely I looked but I still
‘Our youngest daughter Meg, who is now 19, was felt fat and frumpy.
born with a rare medical condition that left her ‘I used the kids as an excuse not to go out.
physically disabled. I had to give up work to look I snacked all day and in the evening I’d have
after her, and when she and her older sister Stacy a huge dinner. Eventually I realised I couldn’t
were at school, I snacked on crisps and biscuits out carry on like that so when I was organising a
of boredom. Then I’d get depressed about the party for my parents’ wedding anniversary, I
weight I’d gained, which led to eating even more. decided to diet and look my best for it.
On top of which I’d also enjoy a big dinner each ‘After doing some research online I picked
night with my husband Eric. Tescodiets.com and chose the Low Carb
‘I tried dieting over the years but always lost diet – you’re allowed meat and cheese but no
interest. Gradually as my weight crept up the only bread or pasta. It was so simple to follow, and
clothes I could wear were like tents and I had no best of all I was making friends online with
energy. One morning I was struggling to lift Meg people who were in the same boat as me.
and it hit me, ‘What if I wasn’t around to look after ‘I lost weight really quickly and then started
her any more?’ I realised I had to lose weight fast. to go swimming regularly with my mum to
‘I decided on the Light Choices plan from help me tone up, something I would have
Tescodiets.com. The mix of freshly prepared avoided at all costs before, because I was so
and convenience foods really suited me. Eric and self-conscious about my body.
the girls were very encouraging. I started walking ‘By the time the party came around my size
and now do at least two miles five days a week. I 14 dress had to be taken in as I’d lost so much
also go to a keep fit class twice a week. weight. And I even stood up and gave a speech,
‘The best part of something I would never have dreamed of
being slim is how fit and doing when I was bigger.
healthy I am. ‘Now that I’m down to
But the bonus is that a size 12 my energy levels
clothes shopping is now are really high. I recently
a real thrill, instead of a bumped into someone I
chore. hadn’t seen for a while,
I feel brilliant. My and she nearly walked past
husband jokes he has a me. She told me I looked
new woman in his life.’ amazing and it felt fantastic.’
42 . Tesco magazine www.tesco.com/magazine www.tesco.com/magazine Tesco magazine . 43

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‘My wedding-dress ‘My self-esteem has rocketed’
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diet saved my life’ Name Deane Burlingham Age 40 From
Name Julie Howard-Stevanovic Hertfordshire Height 5ft 4in Weight
Age 35 From South Shields Height before 14st Weight now 10st 7lbs Dress
5ft 7in Weight before 11st 8lb size before 20 Dress size now 12/14
Weight now 9st 8lb Dress size ‘As I watched the family video, my cheeks burned
before 14 Dress size now 12 red with shame. I just couldn’t believe that the fat
‘The moment I saw the white woman I was watching on the screen was me. It made
Grecian-style wedding dress I knew it me determined to lose weight.
was perfect for my Cyprus wedding. ‘A few years previously I’d managed to lose three
There was just one problem. I had a stone on a crash diet. But I’d put it all back on, and
bit of a tummy and naturally I wanted more. I was lazy about cooking so we always ate
to look my best when I made my vows, out a lot or had ready meals. Now I couldn’t even
so I decided to go on a diet. In just 10 play with my children because it hurt so much to sit
months I lost two stone from my on the floor and it was a struggle to get up.
tummy, bottom and breasts, and I even ‘My partner Karl and I had decided to get married
bought bikinis ready for Cyprus. and there was no way I wanted to be a big bride. So
‘Then one morning last March I felt I looked online for a diet and chose the Light
a lump in the side of my right breast, Choices plan from Tescodiets.com.
the size of a sprout. Unfortunately ‘It took me only eight months to lose 4st 5Ib. Karl
doctors confirmed it was cancer. I joined too, and we both felt so good about ourselves
needed a mastectomy and the doctors we decided to bring the wedding forward. In 2008
were worried the cancer had spread. I was crowned Tesco Slimmer of the Year, which
‘The morning of the operation I gave me such a boost.
kissed my kids goodbye, and as the taxi ‘My self-esteem has rocketed – I wear tighter
drove away I thought my heart would jeans and skirts than I have done in years, and my
break as I wondered if I might not get BMI has gone from 34 to 24. I’m so confident that
the chance to see them again. Luckily I don’t care if anyone points a video camera at me.
after the mastectomy the doctors told And now I can run and jump about with my children.
me the cancer hadn’t spread. ‘I know Karl loves me whatever size I am but I
‘Brent and I decided to bring our think he prefers the way I look now – and so do I.’
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 Turn over to find
was by my side to help me through it. out more about
‘The doctors are pleased with my
progress. I’ve just started dieting again, tescodiets.com
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.’
44 . Tesco magazine www.tesco.com/magazine www.tesco.com/magazine Tesco magazine . 45