Shropshire's super-slimmers are in running for awards

Two couples from Shropshire are enjoying the lighter side of life - after shedding an incredible 27 stone between them in their battle against the bulge.

Jason and Louise Lindsay, from Whitchurch, and the Reverend Keith and Jacquie Osmund-Smith, from Telford, have done so well they are now in the running for national awards.

Both couples are among just 27 from around the UK and Ireland who have secured a spot the finals of Slimming World's Couple of the Year 2012 competition.

Mr and Mrs Lindsay slimmed down by 11st 3lb, while the Reverend and his wife lost just over 16 stones.

Both couples said that the secret of their slimming success was having support from each other as well as the other members of their Slimming World groups in Ellesmere and Dawley.

Mr Lindsay said: "The help and advice we got at our Slimming World group every week was invaluable.

"Seeing other members succeed inspired us and doing it together meant we kept going even when we might otherwise have given up."

Mr Lindsay said that he had lost 7st 5lb and his wife had shed 3st 12lb since May 2011.

He added: "Like most people, our weight gain was very gradual.

"I think when you're in a happy relationship it's easy for your weight to creep up.

"You become comfortable and enjoy socialising together, which often revolves around food and drink.

"We loved cosy nights in with a takeaway or going out for meals together.

"Before we knew it our clothes were tight and our weight was getting both of us down."

Reverend Osmund-Smith managed to shed 9st 12lb, while his wife's weight dropped by 6st 3lb.

The pair swapped fatty takeaways, convenience foods and sugary snacks for healthy meals made from scratch with lots of vegetables and fruit.

Mrs Osmund-Smith, who dropped from 17st to 10st 11lb, said the plan she followed had been a surprise as she had associated dieting with starving.

She said: "It was a revelation that we could eat so much because I think we'd always thought that going hungry was a sacrifice you had to make to lose weight, but the plan is so generous that you never go hungry.

"Just making small changes, like grilling instead of frying, makes a huge difference."

Celia Powell, who runs the Dawley Slimming World group, praised the couple for their success in losing weight and making it through to the national final of the competition.

She said: "I'm so proud of Keith and Jacquie.

"I hope that their story inspires lots of other couples."