Abby Murdy, 22, dropped three dress sizes after seeing photos of herself looking unhappy and overweight on a night out in Huddersfield

A student midwife sprung into action and lost a whopping 4st after seeing photos of herself looking unhappy on a night out.

Abby Murdy, 22, dropped from a size 14 to a size 8 after ditching sugary drinks and takeaway pizza for home cooked curries, Chinese and chilli.

Seeing photographs of herself looking unhappy was the nudge she needed to switch to a healthier lifestyle which has seen her gradually trim down over two years, reports Yorkshire Live.

Some quick and easy changes made all the difference such as using less fat when cooking, boiling or dry frying instead of using oil, and swapping full-fat dairy products for low fat alternatives.

Abby, of Moldgreen in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, said: “I was a second-year midwifery student known for always wearing jeans and a jacket, but that night I decided to wear a skirt.

“My confidence was at an all-time low and everyone could see it.

“I didn’t think about what I ate, as long as it was easy and required no effort.”

Abby’s diet became a mix of fast food, takeaways and frozen ready meals while she was juggling university and placement shifts with her social life.

In May 2019, she decided to join Slimming World and began losing weight.

“I had heard so many success stories from other people who’d done Slimming World, so I thought, why not? I might as well try,” she said.

She told of feeling nervous going to a group by herself not knowing what to expect but she went on to lose 5lb in her first week.

“I was welcomed with open arms into the group,” she said.

“I learned so many easy, amazing ways to not only change my eating habits but also my lifestyle. Nothing was off-limits. I could still enjoy my nights out and lose weight.

With her new passion for cooking, Abby now adds more fruit and veg to her daily meals and said her top tip is to always make a shopping list before hitting the supermarket.

Now a community midwife, she said the best thing about losing weight is gaining confidence.

“I gained a love for cooking and I’m always trying new recipes and finding better options for my favourite meals,” she added.

Abby, who is a community midwife based at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, says the best thing about losing weight is gaining confidence.

“Now, my confidence is at an all-time high. I feel so much more confident at work, I can speak to anyone and wear the clothes I always wanted to wear.

“I bought a size 14 dress for my birthday which was three months away, but by the time it got to my birthday I couldn’t wear it as it was just too big.”

Abby is now a Slimming World consultant and has set up two groups at Shepley Methodist Church, Huddersfield.