A MUM-of-two lost an incredible 10 stone in just 12 months after transforming her diet.

Abigail Richardson decided it was time to change after she tipped the scales at 23 stone and couldn’t look in the mirror without bursting into tears.

The final straw came last September when she was forced to specially order a size 26 floral dress for her sister's wedding.

The determined 26-year-old joined Weight Watchers and has since lost a staggering 144lbs to weigh in at 12st 10lbs.

She has dropped from a size 26 to a trim size 12.

Abigail, from Poole, Dorset, still has the tent-like outfit she wore to her sister’s wedding, which swamps her slim outline when she tries it on now.

The mum, who hopes to achieve her goal weight of 11st 5lbs soon, said she now enjoys being able to go into high street shops to choose and dress rather than order supersized ones online.

“I didn't expect to lose so much weight so quickly. People who haven't seen me for a few months are gobsmacked by how much I've lost,” she said.

“I absolutely love my body now and I can look in the mirror and feel good.

“And for the first time I can actually feel my bones, I was never able to do that before because there was too much fat in the way.”

Abigail said she struggled with her weight at an early age weighed about 16st at secondary school.

Then when she started work she spent her wages on unhealthy food and often gorged on chocolate and cake late at night.

But she cut out junk food and sugary drinks and began eating smaller portions and more fresh fruit and vegetables.

After losing two stone on her own she joined Weight Watchers and lost 6lbs in her first week, which spurred her on to change her lifestyle.

When she was at her heaviest she often got out of breath walking up a hill but she now jogs or cycles every day and has even recruited her dad Tony as her gym buddy.

She is also able to be more active with her children, Ella, eight, and four-year-old AJ, and can carry out her job as a support worker at a disability care home, better.

“I've always struggled with my weight, since I was little. I didn't really do healthy eating and I hated any activity and sport,” she added.

“I made bad food choices as an adult. I had my own money for the first time and I'd buy unhealthy snacks.

“Then when I had my kids I just piled on even more weight.

“I'd eat a lot of takeaways and eat late at night after finishing my shift at 9.30pm. I was a secret eater at night, I'd scoff chocolate, crisps and cake in my bedroom.

“I used to cry and be embarrassed about my weight and how ugly I was. I never felt good about myself and never looked in the mirror.

“I would always say I'd start a diet in the new year but then I'd always put it off.

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“The turning point was last year when I started to have health problems. I'd get out of breath very quickly when I walked up a hill and I was getting pains in my knees, pains I shouldn't be getting at my age.”

Abigail’s mum was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and her family has a high risk of the disease, so she was horrified when she tipped the scales at 23st.

"I spoke to my GP and knew if I didn't do something now I'd be 30st in the next five years,” she said.

“Now I'd like to inspire other young women to deal with their weight problems before it's too late.”

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