Between them, husband and wife slimmers Ann and Andrew Matthews have lost an incredible eight stone. Ann, who used to be insulted by people in the street over her size, jokes their weight loss is the equivalent of a person - their daughter.
But putting all puns aside, there is a more serious note to this incredible achievement - Ann is no longer diabetic or reliant on insulin. She discovered she needed insulin in 2002, and believed being diabetic was all down to her weight.
She was on twice-daily injections, and her doctor was thinking of upping her to three shots of insulin a day. And that's when her turning point came and she decided to lose weight.
READ MORE: Slimmer lost more than six stone after she 'piled on the pounds'
Post-Covid lockdowns, consultations with one leading slimming group were still online. Then meetings opened up again and Ann decided to go to her local group at Keyworth Methodist Church.
Andrew wanted to join with her and she admits, "I wouldn't have gone if he hadn't gone". Ann weighed 15 stone 3lb when she first stepped on those scales for her weigh-in at the group.
Andrew, a retired mechanical engineer, weighed 14 stone 11lb. That was in June last year.
Not only have they hit target, Andrew (at 11 stone 11lb) and Ann (a healthy 10 stone 7lb), have joined the group's social team and, ironically, now pass on tips they have gained on their weight loss journey to others.
Husband Andrew, 64, who lives with Ann in Stanton-on-the-Wolds, said: "I was 14 stone and had a bit of a stomach and my trouser sizes were creeping up. It was the first time I had been on a diet."
Ann recalls how she is a whole new women and not the person she was when she started losing weight; joining other slimmers with her head down and lacking the confidence to speak to people. "I used to get insulted by people in the street about my weight and in the supermarket, where some said "move your *** ****.
"I didn't have the confidence. Now I'm not bothered anymore. I have my confidence back." The retired couple's meals have radically change and their shopping habits - they avoid the sweet aisle for starters.
Meals are more carefully prepared and planned, they have ditched the shop-bought sandwiches, crisps, and they cut the fat off meat and have smaller portion sizes.
Ann, 61, who worked on control for the ambulance service, is grateful to Slimming World guru Michelle Tinlin, who runs groups in Keyworth and West Bridgford, who Ann says, "Michelle's motivation is fantastic for people".
"They have shrunk in size but have doubled in confidence"
Michelle said when the couple first came to her Keyworth group on a Monday evening, she could tell they were both shy and nervous, and headed straight to the corner of the room. "Watching them grow in person, come alive and become such valued members of my social team as well as the group, has been and continues to be an absolute joy.
"They have shrunk in size but have doubled in confidence! I am so proud of their commitment to Slimming World. They stayed to group every week - both to be inspired - and now they are the ones that are inspiring. It's incredible, it really is.
"Even now they are both at target, they show up every week to my Keyworth group and continue to radiate their positivity and inspire other members. They are both such lovely people and I can't imagine my group without them."
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