"This is the strongest and happiest we've ever been," said James and Joyce Quinn from Irvine, North Ayrshire, after the pair were named Slimming World's Couple of the Year 2013.
"It's like a second honeymoon, it's so good to do the things we have not been able to for so, so long," said Mr Quinn, 45.
"Life is completely different now," said Mrs Quinn, 47. "Losing 20 stone saved our marriage."
Mr Quinn, who once weighed 27 stone (171.5kg), said losing the weight has also saved his life.
"I was going to die, it's as simple as that. I'd given up. For two years I was just waiting to die. But now lots of people don't recognise me."
Mr Quinn was 10 stone (63.5kg) when the couple got married 27 years ago but he started to put on weight after losing his job.
"I was a sports instructor and very active, but I lost my job and went to work as a manager in a video shop. I was eating the same foods but I wasn't burning them off anymore," he said.
The father-of-four and grandfather-of-one said the weight put a strain on his marriage.
"I'd given up on life. I genuinely thought my family would be better off if I went to sleep one night and didn't wake up.
"I didn't do anything around the house. Joyce did everything for me and it was affecting our relationship," he said.
"I've realised that I missed out on a lot with our children because I couldn't do things with them. We've got a one-year-old granddaughter and I'm determined she'll never see me overweight.
"She'll never see a fat grandad. It's 20 years of my life I've been overweight, I'm not doing that again."
Mr Quinn finally decided to do something about his problem after getting measured for a kilt for his niece's wedding. He discovered that his waist was 62in (157.5cm), the largest size available.
With the support of his family, he joined Slimming World in 2011 and lost 12st (76kg) in just 12 months. Inspired by his success, his wife decided to join him.
"I suppose next to James I didn't look very big so I thought I was fine. But my weight had been creeping up since I'd had our children," said Mrs Quinn, who has lost more than five stone (32kg).
The Quinns have now swapped a diet of sausages, bacon and potato scones fried in oil for fresh fruit and fat-free yoghurt. They are also being more active in order to keep the weight off.
"We walk everywhere now instead of getting a bus or a taxi and even play badminton and go swimming," said Mrs Quinn.
No comments:
Post a Comment