A HOLIDAY photo shocked a Maryport woman into losing over six stone in weight.

Louise Copeland was looking through holiday snaps when she came across a one of her before she had children.

“ I was shocked. I couldn’t believe how much I had changed in the last 10 years. I’d put on all this weight and I hadn’t even realised. “

Louise had ballooned up to 17 stone, partly because of lifestyle but also because of medical problems and medication that caused weight gain.

“I found the photo and just thought if I could look like that once, I could do it again. I didn’t like who I was or what I looked like, and I was determined to get back to how I once was. The photo spurred me on and kept me going through the harder days.”

She discovered the Terri Ann 123 diet plan on social media.

The diet, which was created by founder Terri Ann Nunns in 2011, is made up of three stages.

The diet starts with a 10-day boost which concentrates on protein, vegetables and healthy fats and reduces the intake of starchy carbohydrates.

Stage two introduces fruit and increases the amount of carbohydrates and stage three is again light on carbohydrates but allows fruit.

Louise said the diet was touch to being with as she began to swap toast, sandwiches, bags of crisps and biscuits for protein rich meals, vegetables and healthier carbohydrates, but after a few months, she began to see the benefits of her new diet.

“The best part was I felt like I could eat a lot of food as long as I ate the right things, which was great for me as I never felt hungry or as if I was depriving myself. I actually prefer this way of eating now, as do my husband and daughter. They both follow the plan with me now and they have both lost a good bit of weight by following the diet.”

Nearly two years on, Louise is almost back at her holiday snap weight.

“I am happier and healthier,” she said but added that people do not recognise her.

“Losing the weight has knocked years off me. So many people walk past me on the street and don’t recognise me any more, it’s fantastic.

“More importantly though my life has changed so much for the better. I feel amazing and my family and friends say I look amazing too. I love the diet, I feel like it’s truly changed my life and I would recommend it to anyone. I’m so much happier and healthier.”