Slimming group hardly recognises Bedfordshire husband and wife after they lose under 15 stone during lockdown

Married couple Amy and Matt McCarthy have shed just under 15 stone between them after joining a nearby slimming group.

In February last year, Amy in her words "dragged Matt along" to support her when she linked up with Slimming World.

But not long into their stint with the group, the country went into a national lockdown and the Maulden couple had to continue their classes virtually on Zoom.

Amazingly, Amy shed five stone and Matt is now nine stone lighter - which came as quite a shock when live classes briefly returned in September with some members failing to recognise the pair.

Amy said: "I felt sluggish, down and disappointed about old clothes that didn’t fit anymore."

And Matt said, before joining, his diet consisted of “fast food from McDonald's and KFC …. then… a super large pizza and sides to myself.”

So the pair joined Slimming World in Flitton together and haven’t looked back - even falling back in love with cooking. Some of their favourite meals includes chilli-smothered potato wedges.

Before joining the group, Amy was in real bad pain with a slipped disk and had lost feeling in one of her legs.

But now, since the weight loss, it's a different story.

She said: "I can feel my left leg, I'm no longer in pain with my back and I have more energy.”

Despite feeling a sense of trepidation before joining the group, Matt hasn't looked back.

He said: “The group is a wonderful support network of people who don't judge you, who offer advice and help whenever they can, I've made some great friends. It's the best thing I've ever done - and I've got my amazing wife to thank for that.”

Maria Gibbons had been running her Slimming World group at the St John the Baptist Church Hall in Flitton but due to the current restrictions, you will need to call 07739518231 to book a place. Or you can head here to find all local group details.