Friday, 23 March 2007

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Debra Stephenson: I had a jelly belly and bingo wings

The former Corrie star went from a 14 to an 8 thanks to bacon sandwiches

'It's always bad being photographed looking fat, but in celebrity land it's a nightmare,' says Debra.

'After I had my son Max in November 2002, I had a jelly belly and bingo wings – far from a yummy mummy. But I put it to the back of my mind. Then I saw an awful snap of myself in a newspaper. My first thought was: "I'm never going to get hired again!"

All my portions were super-sized

'While pregnant with Max I became addicted to creamy mashed potato. I snacked on crisps, crumpets, cakes and biscuits and all my portions were super-sized.

'But after seeing that picture, I started going to the gym. I began with gentle squats and lunges and 10 minutes on the treadmill. Or at home I'd do 20 sit-ups in between polishing and vacuuming.

'I was losing 2lb a week and my clothes were getting baggier.

My only vice is cheese

I stopped skipping breakfast and started eating organic bacon sandwiches, made with rye bread. They kept me going until lunch, so I wouldn't snack on rubbish.

'The Corrie canteen had a great salad bar, so every day I'd have a salad with chickpeas, tuna, chicken or rice. I also started to think about my skin and tucked into lots of oily fish such as salmon.

'My one vice is cheese, so when I get a craving I have a small chunk of organic mature Cheddar. If you always deny yourself, you'll just end up miserable or bingeing.

'Now, I'm not perfect, but I love what I've got and am happy to strut around in a bikini again feeling like a proper yummy mummy!'

Debra's Diet Before

Breakfast

Nothing

Mid-Morning

Panini with cheese

Dinner

Buttery mashed potato with chicken

Snacks

Crisps and toast

Drinks

Black coffee

Debra's Diet Now

Breakfast

Grilled organic bacon, mushroom and tomato on rye bread

Lunch

Tuna or chicken salad with a wholemeal roll

Dinner

Thai prawn curry or grilled salmon with roasted vegetables

Snacks

Crystallised ginger or fruit

Drinks

Black coffee

Debra has mad a DVD, The Busy Life Workout.

Maria Casey