Slimming World Couple of the Year 2018: How husband and wife shed 24 stone between them

Slimming World has crowned a couple, who were once practically housebound due to their weight, as their Couple of the Year 2018. Husband and wife Glyn and Gillian Woodward from Stowmarket in Norfolk transformed their lives, dropping a staggering 24 stone between them after a Christmas shopping trip made them re-evaluate their lifestyle. In a new photo issued today by Slimming World, the couple look worlds away from their former selves as they grin for the camera. Glyn once weighed as much as 35 stone, but during a visit to the shops with his wife he realised he desperately needed to shed the pounds after their outing took its toll on his wife’s health.

Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times last year, Glyn said: “At more than 30st, my life was completely dictated by my weight. I couldn’t walk without sticks or a wheelchair. To be honest, I had lost the will to go on, I had given up on life.”

Speaking of the day that made them change their outlook on their health, Glyn said: “Because I couldn’t walk unaided for more than a few steps, Gillian took me to the shops in my wheelchair.

“We hadn’t considered that there was an uphill stretch back to the car park though, so when it was time to head home, Gillian found that she didn’t have the strength to push me back up the hill to the car.

“The exertion of it actually caused her to have an asthma attack, and it was only down to the kindness of two passers-by that she was able to get me back to the car. It was just such an awful experience.”

Mr Woodward also suffered from sleep apnoea, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure.

The couple sought advice from doctors, who suggested surgery, but they decided against it.

Instead, they signed up to Slimming World.

Glyn’s wife Gillian had joined first, losing several stone thanks to the diet plan.

So Glyn followed suit and lost three stone during the 12-week referral alone.

He added: “There was no doubt in my mind that I could continue on that journey and lose weight naturally. Nicole is incredible, she somehow made it possible.”

Last year, Glyn got his weight down to 14 stone and has continued to maintain his healthy lifestyle.

He continued: “My life has been completely transformed, so much so that I’ve gone from a man who couldn’t walk around a shop to someone who has gradually taken up cycling as a hobby.”

Glyn also came in fourth place at the Slimming World Greatest Loser 2017 Awards last year.

In photos released by the diet plan company today, Glyn looks unrecognisable in a picture taken at the beach.

With a walking stick in hand, the weight loss champion can be seen wearing layers of clothing as he sits on a rock, supported by his stick.

As they collected their Slimming World award, the pair look happier than ever, with Gillian flaunting her slim figure in a floral dress while Glyn wears a smart waistcoat and navy shirt.