Katie, 45, and Tony Viney, 52, had little energy on family holidays when they drove to the beach and watched their four children play.

The couple’s lightbulb moment came when their eldest daughter turned 18 and they began to think about their long-term future.

And now after joining Slimming World, the parents, from Bicester, have gone on to win the group’s Couple of the Year award.

Speaking after their weight loss, Katie, who lost just over 9st, said: “As a busy mum of four I’d put my own health to the bottom of the pile for years.”

“My fitness was terrible and even a short walk would [make] me tired”

Katie Viney

She added: “I’d always been big but with every pregnancy I just became bigger and bigger.

“Each of my pregnancies was deemed high-risk because of my weight – so much so that I needed a big luminous sticker on all of my notes.

“My fitness was terrible and even a short walk would [make] me tired.

“I didn’t even like walking up the stairs unless I absolutely had to. Something had to change.”

Katie and Tony admit they were nervous about walking through the doors of their Slimming World group but were instantly blown away.

The couple were greeted with a big smile from their consultant and eased into the session immediately.

And Tony is pleased with the fact that he hasn’t had to cut anything out of his diet.

He explained: “As a professional chef I was a little bit worried that we’d have to give up all of our favourite foods and just live on a diet of lettuce leaves! I couldn’t have been more wrong though.

“I soon realised that I could adapt many of our favourite family meals to make them the Slimming World way – just by making simple swaps like switching from oil to low-calorie cooking spray and using lean cuts of meat. One of our favourites is a beef stroganoff, it’s absolutely delicious.”

The couple, who were unable to run around with their children, are now running 4-5 miles a day with their two dogs.

Tony concluded: “Before we lost the weight, we were barely active at all.

“I realise now that we weren’t enjoying the time with our children to the fullest.

“Active family days out are the norm for us now and we hope to be this fit and active for many more years to come.”

• Slimming World
• Weight loss

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