Bride-to-be goes from size 20 to size 10 in just four months

A primary school teacher dropped an impressive 31kg (five stone) in just four months before her wedding day after embarking on a new fitness regime.

Sophie Matheson, 26, dropped from a size 20 to a size 10 in just 16 weeks after getting in touch with a personal trainer.

She got married in October and has since lost another six kilos, taking her total weight loss to 38kg (six stone).

Sophie said: "I had reached a point where I was dreading my wedding day.

"I was anxious about the photos, how I would look and feel in my dress and what others would think of me, and knew I had to do something to make a positive change."

She got in touch with a local personal trainer Luke Hewitt after seeing some of his work on social media.

Sophie said she was "nervous" before her first session but was put at ease by Luke's team.

"I started to see changes really quickly and began to develop a love for the gym," she told Nottinghamshire Live.

She trained with Luke three times a week for 16 weeks in the lead up to her wedding day, with a programme that included a combination of cardiovascular exercise and weight training as well as a diet plan.

Sophie said: "My job as a primary school teacher can be quite stressful and fast paced and my diet before starting the programme reflected that.

"A typical day would have previously started with good intentions, with Weetabix for breakfast and fruit for my mid-morning snack, but then it would start to go downhill.

"Lunchtime would arrive and the staff room at work would be full of cakes and biscuits, so I’d help myself to those before grabbing a pre-packed wrap or sandwich for lunch.

"After work, I’d go to the shop and get crisps, sweets and chocolates and binge eat and then dinner would be something like wedges and a burger. We would also indulge in takeaways several times a week.”

Before she lost the weight, Sophie took 18 tablets a day for endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome, but now she doesn't take any medication at all.

Sophie is a vegetarian and now keeps to a diet plan tailored for her.

A typical day would consist of porridge or an omelette for breakfast, Quorn chilli, rice and salad for lunch and halloumi and vegetables kebabs with curried lentils for dinner, as well as various snacks to keep her going throughout the day.

She said: "At first I couldn't believe how much food I was able to eat. I've tried every fad diet going so feeling satisfied rather than deprived made a huge difference to my motivation and sticking power.

"That, combined with my gym sessions, has completely changed my life for the better. I used to make excuses not to go out to social events and didn't feel comfortable in anything I tried on.

"Now, I’m happier in all aspects of life: I’m more confident at work, have an even better relationship with my husband and I’m happier on holiday because I can wear what I want without feeling uncomfortable.”

She added: "I felt amazing on my wedding day, and I definitely have Luke to thank for that, but for me this wasn’t just about losing weight for my wedding.

"It was about becoming happier and healthier for good and I know I’ll never go back to my old habits because I feel so much better and coming off my medication speaks volumes.

“The gym has become my therapy and no matter what mood I arrive in, I always leave feeling on top of the world."