ABBI HARDERN - 'I AM FINALLY FIT AND HEALTHY'

Abbi Hardern was putting some photos in the family album, when she came across a picture that made her have a dramatic re-think about her life and her health.

'I was sorting through some family photos and I came across a picture of me at my sister-in-law's wedding,- she says. 'I had my hand on my belly and I 'thought that's nice, Joshua was there'.

'Then I realised that he actually was at the wedding - in the flesh and seven months old - and that my tummy had nothing to do with the baby.

'At that moment, I thought 'this is not how I want to be'. I didn't want to get bigger and bigger and bigger and I knew that was what would happen if I carried on as I was.'

After cutting sweets, chocolate, crisps and ice cream out of her diet for Lent, the pounds started to drop off. But while she was away on holiday she realised that if she was serious about changing, she would need to improve her fitness too.

'During Lent, I went to visit my best friend, who lives in Germany . Her home is on top of a hill and every time we wanted to go anywhere we had to walk up and down the hill.

'She would go striding off, while I was puffing away and wishing I'd stayed in the house. It made me realise how unfit I was.

'I went on to Amazon to look for an accurate pedometer and came across Fitbug and thought it might work for me because I am the type of person who is really motivated by looking at things online and being able to see concrete evidence of my progress.

'It did. And, because the Bug just counts what you are doing and not the intensity you are doing it at, I felt comfortable with the new lifestyle straight away.

'I started by doing whatever I could at a speed I felt comfortable at and in time my fitness improved. I now walk my kids to school and I have found a long way round for me to walk a little further when they are not around.

'I went through a phase of doing loads and loads of steps whenever and wherever I could, but then I realised that wasn't what it was about. I needed to do something sustainable and that means doing a little bit more activity when I can,- she adds.

As well as increasing her activity, Abbi dramatically cut back on junk food - although she does allow herself the odd piece of chocolate, if she fancies it. She now follows a low fat diet and tries to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and she is reaping the rewards.

'I'd been about 15 stone for six or seven years, but I was determined that I was going to get healthy.

'I started plotting my weight at the start of Lent and on March 10 I weighed 215 pounds. By the time I bought my Bug in mid April, I had lost just over half a stone. I am now 183 pounds (13 stone 1) and only a couple of pounds away from a healthy BMI.

'Once I hit the healthy level it will be mission accomplished because I am 5'11 -- and have a really big frame, so I am never going to be stick thin,- she laughs.

While the scales have been recording the difference, the reaction of her friends and family has been equal reward for her efforts.

'Nobody can believe the change in me, but everyone has been really positive and nice about it.

'Not long ago, I went to a family party and because I have young children I didn't have the chance to go out and buy a new outfit. I wore the same thing as I had worn to my sister-in-law's wedding - although my mum had to take the trousers in by about three inches!

'Everyone was telling me how much better I looked this year. It was a great feeling.

'I also went to stay with my mum in the States and while I was there I bought myself a whole new wardrobe because none of my old clothes fit me any more.'

In addition to the physical changes that her new lifestyle has brought about, it has also given her a permanent new way of thinking about activity.

'My whole mindset about exercise has changed. I joined a gym before and I thought that just being a member would be enough to make me fit and healthy. But now I have joined a gym because it is something I want to do.

'I've had a major attitude shift and the Fitbug has helped me to quantify how much activity I am doing and motivate me. Six months ago, I would have rather died than walk anywhere but now it is a part of my life and I love it.'