WHEN Blackpool mum Fiona Ricchiuti e-mailed a newspaper website, little did she know her family would star in a lifestyle makeover!

Fiona, husband Antony and their two children Dominic, 14, and Melina, eight, featured in a two page article in the Daily Mail on Monday, after the adventurous mum filled out a lifestyle questionnaire on the paper's website.

"I e-mailed them a few basic details and I didn't think much more of it," explained Fiona, 37.

But the paper wanted to know more, and before she knew it her family was chosen to feature in the paper.

"I was a little bit apprehensive. I had discussed it with Antony but you never really think it's going to be you that gets picked for these things," she said.

The Ricchiutis were assigned a nutritionist and lifecoach. And Fiona, learning resource assistant at Blackpool Sixth Form College and Antony, who owns Blackpool's Galleon Cafe on Adelaide Street, were allotted a personal trainer.

They found the first month a challenge, planning shopping and meals, persuading Melina to eat more vegetables, working out and finding time for regular family activities such as swimming on Saturdays.

But they soon got into their stride even getting regular early nights -- and no lying in.

"The first weekend I was up and made the kids' breakfast -- they were stunned!"

In fact the whole family has changed, for the better says Fiona. Melina's concentration at school shot up "100 per cent", Dominic is enjoying new activities including climbing, and Fiona and 38-year-old Antony have lost nearly two stone between them.

"I certainly feel like a changed woman," Fiona said. "But it definitely wasn't about going a diet for three months.

"It was a complete lifestyle change for good."