A WEIGHT loss programme that makes followers totally rethink their relationship with food has helped a Northallerton woman to shed almost half her body weight in just six months.

Marie Alderson, 35, was 18st 12lb and 5ft 4in tall when she started the LighterLife programme in July last year.

By February this year she was down to 9st 11lb and has maintained the weight since, after relearning how to eat healthily and listen to what her body needs.

Mrs Alderson, who is married to Dougie, a farmer, and has a five-year-old son, Tristan, had tried several diets and programmes before but was unable to stick to them.

"I would lose a couple of stones but would then get stuck at a certain weight," she said.

"I would lose all motivation because nothing was happening -– with LighterLife you lose several pounds each week, so you think ‘great, this is working’ and carry on."

Mrs Alderson has battled with the bulge since she was a child but found it especially difficult to lose weight after the birth of her son.

The LighterLife programme works on the basis of meal replacement, with the dieter eating special shakes, soups and porridges until they reach their target weight.

After hitting the target they then start a new programme, which reintroduces foods back into the diet and helps them understand their relationship with food with group counselling sessions.

"I feel brilliant, like a different person," said Mrs Alderson.

"I have so much more energy and I enjoy exercise now, because its more comfortable to do.

"My husband and son are happier too, now that I can do more with them and have fun."