'I Lost 9 Stone On The School Run'

When Rachael Pickworth, 32, ditched the car and started walking her daughter to school, she gradually dropped seven dress sizes.

When I Was Younger I Always Felt Big.

At 5ft 10in I towered over my friends but, in fact, I was perfectly healthy. I enjoyed sport and was a competitive swimmer, training five times a week. As I got older, socialising became more important and soon I stopped exercising. Then, in July 2002, aged 17, I met Rob and we quickly became a couple.

We’d Tuck Into Takeaways Every Night.

Rob had his own place, so we spent most nights in. A takeaway was our evening ritual. We’d watch TV devouring pizza, chicken curry or chips. The pounds started to creep on to my 11st frame and my size 12 tops started getting tighter. A year later I moved in with Rob and our takeaway habit got worse. The weight piled on and I hated looking in the mirror.

When I Fell Pregnant, I Began Eating For Two.

I took the phrase literally! I’d snack on chocolate bars throughout the day, using the excuse that my body needed the energy. By the time our daughter Chloe was born in August 2006, I’d hit 17st 11lb and was a size 20.

I Started Working Out At Home When Chloe Was Asleep.