Couple lose 11 stone between them as they dream of post-lockdown wedding

Hannah Reed and Gareth Leadbitter, both 23, got engaged four years ago and knew they wanted to lose weight before tying the knot.

Now, with their wedding just six months away, the couple have reached their weight loss goals with the help of Slimming World, despite challenges from the pandemic.

Hannah, who is a nursing assistant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, said: “I struggled a bit during the first lockdown and regret not staying on plan as much as I should have.

"As it went on things got easier and we were able to focus on sticking to the plan and being healthy, with help from virtual sessions. The online classes are different but the support is still the same.

“We’re getting married in July this year and that was our inspiration behind wanting to lose the weight. I picked my wedding dress in October and knew I still wanted to lose more weight, so in December I had to call the shop and get the dress taken down three sizes because I’d lost another two stone.”

Since starting her weight loss journey in September 2019, Hannah has managed to lose 6 ½ stone, while Gareth, who started in September 2020, has lost five stone.

Hannah praised Slimming World and encouraged anyone wanting to lose weight to stick to a plan, prep meals in advance and break up the weight loss into small targets.

The pair started attending classes in person with the help of their Slimming World team developer Katherine Mason, but have been attending classes virtually due to lockdown.

The couple are from Stanley but attend Slimming World classes in North Biddick, Washington. Hannah began her classes with Katherine in Chester-le-Street, and followed her to Washington when she moved to the group.

Hannah and Gareth, who works in IT, were inspired to lose weight by a desire to look good for their wedding, but Katherine said shedding pounds was also a good way for anyone to help protect themselves from the worst affects of the coronavirus.

She said: “Obesity is a huge topic at the minute with evidence showing that carrying extra weight makes it harder for the body to fight Covid-19.

"I know how truly life-changing being at a healthy weight can be for someone and I’m so proud of all our members.”

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