Somerset designer shocked into losing six stone after seeing photo of herself

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Designer Becky Peabody, 44, from Somerset was delighted to have her Victorian home featured in a magazine
But she was horrified by the sight of her 15st figure in the issue
Becky dropped from a size 18 to a size 8

Published: 13:21 EST, 11 September 2015 | Updated: 15:42 EST, 11 September 2015

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When a glossy property magazine asked to feature an interior designer's beautiful Victorian home, she was delighted - until she saw the final photographs.

But Becky Peabody's pride turned to shame when she saw how huge she looked in the finished photos.

It was the kick the 44-year-old from Street, Somerset, needed to finally address her weight and end yo-yo dieting for good by dropping from 15st to 8st 10lbs.

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Becky Peabody, 44, from Street, Somerset shed six stone and dropped from a size 18 to a size 8 after seeing herself looking huge in a glossy property magazine

The piece in Ideal Home magazine showed overweight Becky wearing a baggy grey T-shirt and looking frumpy sat on a sofa with her children. In another unflattering picture she is wedged into a chair by her desk.

The mum-of-two said: 'I've always been overweight and always been on a diet of some kind, but when a picture of myself was printed for the all to see, I was nudged into taking action.'

'One of my proudest moments, having my house featured in a glossy magazine, was dulled by the embarrassing photo of myself staring back from the pages.

'My mother was showing the photo to the world, and what should have been a lovely moment was ''oh my God, I look horrendous." I knew I had to do something.'

Becky was shamed by her picture in a glossy property magazine. The embarrassment spurred her to ditch junk food and drop from 15st to 8st 11lbs

Becky with son Sam, 8, daughter Sophie, 11 and husband Jeff, 43. Becky was a size 8 before having children but piled on weight after giving birth

Becky was a size eight but piled on the weight when she had children, leaving her reluctant to have her photo taken and dreading formal occasions.

The stationary designer who runs online company Dots and Spots was a prolific social media user, and Ideal Home magazine saw photos of her pretty home studio.

She was delighted when they popped round for a shoot at her Victorian terrace home in July 2010, but was devastated when the photos appeared in their January 2011 issue.

Becky tried several diets over the years but failed to lose weight. It wasn't until she saw her size 18 frame in a glossy property magazine that she knew she had to do something about her weight once and for all

Becky pictured in the jeans that were clung to her in the unflattering magazine picture that led to her losing weight and dropping from a size 18 to a size 8

Three years on, Becky runs three times a week and has swapped her baggy size 18 clothes for a stylish new size eight wardrobe.

She swapped junk food for a healthy diet and joined a slimming club.

Becky, who is married to teacher Jeff, 46, said: 'I feel 20 years younger. I can fit into my wedding dress again and I had my hair dyed peroxide white blonde like I used to do in my 20s.

'I feel so much better in myself.'

Becky, who has a 15-year-old daughter and a son, 13, added: 'I have always loved shopping but instead of now I can buy what I want rather than just what would fit.'