Before and after. Christie Lamoureux / mediadrumworld.com

By Liana Jacob

MEET the former sweet addict who ditched her sugar-laden diet to lose three-stone and drop three-dress sizes in just EIGHT MONTHS after her home was destroyed by floods which forced her family to eat out daily.

Volunteer co-ordinator and mum of a five-year-old, Christie Lamoureux (31), from Louisiana, USA, always had a weak spot for sugary snacks but this obsession saw her weight skyrocket. In September 2016, Christieā€™s home was flooded, prompting her and her family to move into a hotel, where she would eat out constantly, this saw her tip the scales at 13st 6lbs and was a UK size 14.

Christie before. Christie Lamoureux / mediadrumworld.com

After seeing a picture of herself a month later, Christie did not recognise herself and decided to take action. She joined Weight Watchers, where she was introduced to a stricter exercise and diet routine and dropped to just 10st 6Ibs and a UK size eight.

ā€œI was active and thin growing up, then when I hit my twenties my weight skyrocketed. I tried to lose weight so many times over the past ten years, but would always quit whatever I was doing after a few months or weeks when I didnā€™t get instant results,ā€ Christie said.

ā€œIā€™m married to my high school sweetheart and we have a five-year-old son, who is one of my ā€˜whysā€™.

Christie before. Christie Lamoureux / mediadrumworld.com

ā€œI want to be healthy and be able to keep up with him as well as provide a good example to him. We also have three dogs and have started taking short daily walks with them as a family.

ā€œI felt embarrassed, self-conscious, uncomfortable, tired and self-critical. Iā€™ve been unhappy with my weight for years now.

ā€œIā€™ve yo-yo dieted for the past decade. Our house was flooded in September 2016 and we had to live in a hotel for three weeks and ate out every meal.

Before and after. Christie Lamoureux / mediadrumworld.com

ā€œWith the stress and circumstances, I felt myself gaining even more weight and decided enough was enough when I saw pictures of me taken at a bridal shower. I didnā€™t recognise myself.

ā€œI have now joined Weight Watchers and I use their app to track everything I eat. I love the programme.

ā€œTracking my food using the Weight Watchers programme has helped me make better choices, lighten up my meals, especially the desserts and control my portions. I also make it a point to get my steps in daily and stay active.ā€

Christie before and after. Christie Lamoureux / mediadrumworld.com

Weight Watchers is an American programme that offers various services to assist weight loss and weight maintenance.

ā€œI now use less excuses and exhume more confidence. Clothes look better, I love ā€˜shoppingā€™ in my closet now and I feel better and have more energy. Iā€™ve also stopped snoring at night and sleep better,ā€ Christie said.

ā€œI feel great. Iā€™ve had people tell me I inspire them, which seems crazy to me, but I tell them. ā€˜if I can do this so can youā€™.

Christie now. Christie Lamoureux / mediadrumworld.com

ā€œItā€™s a journey and Iā€™m not perfect. Iā€™ve had weeks or months where Iā€™ve kicked butt and Iā€™ve had times when Iā€™ve struggled with motivation.

ā€œLosing excuses and getting back on track for the next meal ā€“ not the next Monday ā€“ has helped me stay on course.

ā€œPeople I know have been so sweet with compliments and asking how Iā€™ve done it and when I tell people I donā€™t know or show them a ā€˜beforeā€™ picture; they are surprised itā€™s me.

Christie and her son. Christie Lamoureux / mediadrumworld.com

ā€œYou just have to take that first step, which is the hardest. Go on a walk, join a programme, tweak your meals. Whatever it is, just go for it. Itā€™s so worth it.ā€

For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/skinnyminnychris/