Weighing 19 stone and trying on a size 22 wedding dress, Sadie Freeman was horrified to find it was too small.
So, Sadie, 28, and her fiance Ben Mustoe, 31, took the difficult decision to postpone getting hitched.
Now, after losing 16st between them, the couple is looking forward to tying the knot next year.
“Someone told me, ‘the couple that slim together stay together’ – and we really are proof of that!” Sadie said.
The childhood sweethearts, who met in Gloucester, got into bad eating habits after the birth of their third child, Hallie, in 2014, and the weight crept on. Sadie suffered from sciatica and Ben with back problems.
“In 2017 the sciatica went when I was in the bath, I had to call paramedics, it was mortifying,” Sadie said.
“I avoided having my photo taken and never bought new clothes,” the supermarket worker explained.
“I tried to avoid serving customers, I wore the same clothes day in, day out. I was desperate to learn to drive but wasn’t confident enough.”
When Ben proposed in 2018 Sadie decided to wait, and by 2019 Ben was also 27 stone.
“I was mortified I’d let it get this bad,” said the care worker.
They began The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan.
Sadie swapped a McDonald’s breakfast for a nutrient-rich bar, and a chicken salad for lunch. Ben switched to high-fibre cereal, and a jacket potato.
In the evening, they tucked into calorie-controlled meals, and ditched fizzy drinks for water. By Christmas Eve last year, Sadie was down to 12st 1lb, and Ben was 18st 3lb.
“I felt amazing in my sparkly short Christmas dress,” says Sadie.
“Physically we’re free from back pain. I’ve been promoted to store manager, and I’ve passed my driving test. When I went back to the wedding dress shop the lady didn’t recognise me.”
Ben added: “I’ve always loved Sadie, but seeing her confidence grow, it definitely makes her more attractive.”
