A cruise to Norway changed my life – in more ways than one. I’d been planning to propose to my girlfriend, Samantha, for months and on our first day at sea, I got down on one knee and popped the question … She said yes! We got so excited as we started talking about what kind of big day we wanted, and began planning our future together.

There was one thing dampening my excitement, though. I didn’t feel happy with my weight and dreaded the thought of posing for photos. Samantha said she felt the same and it almost seemed like fate when we found ourselves chatting to another couple who mentioned they’d lost a lot of weight with Slimming World. They both looked fantastic, so I couldn’t help wondering if it might just be worth a shot.

Going up gradually

At college, I’d been one of those lucky lads who could eat whatever they wanted. I’d get a battered sausage and chips for lunch, snack on crisps and chocolate and, despite not being particularly sporty, stay pretty much the same size. Then, in my 20s, I got a job as a computer programmer and started to gain weight. It was very gradual – one belt notch at a time. By the time I hit 30, I’d gone from wearing a large T-shirt to an XXL, and my waist measured 44ins.

I’d never considered my eating habits to be especially unhealthy, although most of the foods I was choosing were high in sugar or fat – or both! I’d have two bowls of cereal covered in sugar every morning and a shop-bought sandwich with a bag of crisps for lunch. Then, in the evening, I’d have a ready meal or a big bowl of pasta with sauce from a jar. I wouldn’t think twice about having three or four full-fat lattes a day either.

The food of love 

After two years Samantha and I moved in together. Life was bliss – and we soon got a little too comfortable.

We’d go out for three-course meals, drink a couple of bottles of wine on a Friday night and have takeaways every other week. We’d order far too much for two people, and still manage to finish it. Other nights we’d sit in front of the TV and snack on popcorn and crisps.

I had a painful condition in my left leg and the doctor would tell me the extra weight was making it worse. I’d nod in agreement, while it went in one ear and out of the other.

My confidence had definitely started to suffer, too. We’re both quite active people, yet we’d both started to dislike the summer because we couldn’t hide our bodies in big jumpers when we were out and about. And if any of our friends suggested going swimming, I’d dread taking my top off.

A new start

I’d never really weighed myself before joining Slimming World and I had no idea I’d reached 18st 2lbs, while Samantha was 14st 1½lbs. We made changes immediately, getting rid of all the jars of sauces that filled our cupboards and doing a huge shop to stock up on fresh ingredients.

In that first week, we made home-cooked meals every night. I swapped my sweetened-up cereal for bran flakes topped with fat-free natural yogurt and fresh fruit. For my after-work snack, I replaced my usual crusty white bread slathered with peanut butter with two Mini Babybel Originals.

We both continued to lose, although a little more steadily at a pound or two a week. As time went on, it seemed to get easier and easier to stick to plan – especially because of the variety of foods we could have. I’d been worried I’d be living on lettuce every day and getting bored; the reality was that I looked forward to our exciting, freshly made dinners.

Different couple

Before long, people started to notice that I was getting slimmer. Friends would double-take as I passed them in town and even the guys at work began to comment. When I told people I was following Slimming World, their first question was always, ‘Aren’t you hungry all the time?’. I could tell them that I genuinely wasn’t. Food Optimising isn’t about eating less – it’s just about making better choices.

Ten months after we joined group, I got to my target. I weigh 13st 7lbs and can fit into a medium T-shirt. At 9st 12lbs and a size 8, Samantha is at target, too. She’s always been beautiful to me, and it’s great to see her looking so happy and healthy now. Meanwhile, my dress sense has completely changed.

I’ve even got a pair of slim-fitting jeans. They’re not the only changes, either. My leg feels better and I have so much more energy, particularly in the evenings. We’ve always loved going for walks and hikes, and now we can stay out for much longer. When we celebrated our wedding, our new-found confidence meant we definitely didn't mind the attention.

Samantha says…

Quite a few of the women in my family have struggled with their weight and I’m no exception. The pounds started creeping on while I was studying to be a gardener. It was a very active course and I’d tell myself that I’d earned all the crisps and bars of chocolate I was treating myself to.

Although I was delighted when Scott proposed, I knew straight away that I didn’t want to get married at the size I was. I never insisted Scott lose weight with me, though. I knew he found the idea of going to a group intimidating, so it was great that he overcame this and went for it. I’m so proud of him.

Our weight losses have been a journey we’ve taken together and I couldn’t have done it without him. Going through the ups and downs as a couple has brought us closer than ever.

*Weight loss will vary due to your individual circumstances and how much weight you have to lose.