Some people are prompted to lose weight at the sight of a photograph or by no longer being able to fit into their favourite clothes, but for Kerry it was her new kitchen

Wanting to make the most of it, she turned to Tesco Diets for an online weight loss programme that would allow her to cook healthy, delicious dishes. As a result, Kerry is now 2 ½ stone lighter and her new kitchen is constantly in use.

Before Kerry registered, she weighed 12 stone and her small 5' 4' frame gave her a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 29 - teetering in the obese category. After following a low fat, low calorie plan for just eight months, Kerry lost a total of 2 ½ stone and reached her target of 9 stone 7 lbs. Her new BMI is 23, right in the middle of the healthy weight for height range.

Kerry admits that being single helped with her success. She says: 'I think it's much easier to stick to a weight loss plan when you are single. You have no-one else to buy sweet things for, and no-one else to distract you from your eating plan.'

A welcome side effect of all this healthy cooking was Kerry's weight loss. 'A friend and I were talking one day about how much rubbish we were eating. I'd just had a new kitchen fitted and wanted to try some new recipes with nice healthy food,' says Kerry.

'We found the online weight loss programme and both decided to try it. So initially it was more of a lifestyle choice than a weight loss one. I wanted a bit more energy and I figured that if I could fit into a smaller size of jeans, it would be an added bonus!

'I was starting to give up on clothes and just felt heavier and frumpier than I should be. I'd look at what Trinny and Susannah suggested wearing for my shape, but then I would go out and buy men's jeans and baggy jumpers.'

Spoiled for choice
Kerry was delighted with the choice of meals on her plan, which meant that she was able to get great use out of her new kitchen. 'The variety of meals on offer really helped me to stick with the plan, not to mention the fact that most of them can be made in about half an hour,' Kerry explains. 'If friends come to visit, I don't just stick a pizza in the oven. I can make something like beef tostados which are better than pizza any day!'

As a result of her new healthy eating plan, Kerry's eating habits changed quite considerably, and she's even taken up a bit of gardening. 'I was eating rubbish - I have a big fridge and it always used to be practically empty with the odd bit of junk food here and there. Now I feel like a paragon of virtue every time I open it. It's full of brightly coloured, healthy foods. I've even started my own vegetable patch to try and keep up with the amount of broccoli I seem to be eating!'

New-found confidence
Exercise also played a part in Kerry's success. 'In addition to the meal plan, I started tap dancing classes and ice skating. The combination of healthy food and exercise has worked wonders.'

The plan has done wonders for her confidence too, she explains how 'losing the extra weight allowed me to show off my figure instead of hiding it. Now all I need to do is invest in a new wardrobe.'

Kerry is now a firm-convert to healthy living. She says, 'I was actually really surprised when the weight came off in the first place. I had expected to lose perhaps half a stone and then put it all back on again. But I'm determined to stay this way now. The thought of buying large, shapeless clothes again is enough motivation for me. If I'd known losing weight could be done so easily, I would have done it years ago!