We did it our weight

Just a few years earlier, Tina's life was very different. A widowed mum-of-five, she was isolated and lonely and turned to food for comfort - weighing 26st 10lbs at her heaviest.

Miles away, Mark Winmill was similarly depressed. Despite putting on a jolly "I'm fat and happy" persona, he was sick and tired of his 24st 11lbs weight and life of booze, kebabs and fry-ups.

But, after meeting online and falling in love, the pair are now happy, married and, incredibly, 27st lighter.

Tina has gone from eating entire multi-packs of crisps and picking at the children's leftovers to walking and swimming for miles and weighing less than 10st – she's also wearing a size eight top and couldn't be happier about it.

Mark meanwhile has left the greasy food behind and is now super-healthy and weighing 14st 7lbs. At the height of his problems, he was on medication for sky-high blood pressure and also suffered from sleep apnoea, having to wear an oxygen mask at night. He also used to fall asleep at work, on the sofa, anywhere and everywhere. However, he's now off all medication, no longer has sleeping problems and has never been fitter.

"We have so much more energy," says Tina, aged 42. "When I was big, I used to be so sluggish and lethargic, I didn't want to do anything. But now I feel like a different person. We walk everywhere, for miles and miles, and go swimming too and it's made such a difference.

"I've always struggled with my weight and have always been big but the weight really piled on after my first child and, by the time I was 18, I was 20st. After that, I tried every diet going and was a classic yo-yo dieter. I did Slim Fast, Atkins, Slimming World, Rosemary Conley, Jenny Craig – anything I could think of. I'd lose a few stone but just put more back on."

Mark, a 38-year-old CNC laser programmer, said it was the drink that led to his weight gain.

"I'd go out every Friday and Saturday night and Sunday afternoon with my mates," he recalls. "We'd drink loads and then, obviously, after you've had a drink you want a kebab or a takeaway. Also, because I was living at home with my mum, she'd really load my plate up with food. She'd dish out huge portions because that's just what mums do, isn't it? It's all comfort food."

Raising five children on her own, full-time mum Tina also used food as a coping mechanism.

"I was totally a comfort eater. When the children were little, I'd take them to school and then spend the rest of the day in the house eating. It was a very isolated time. I was stressed and lonely and turned to food to make me feel better."

"I used to get upset sometimes too," adds Mark. "It was almost as if I was playing a character. On the surface, I was this jolly, happy guy – always at the centre of everything – but I was depressed. I think even my friends knew it too. It must have been obvious that it was all for show and I wasn't truly happy." Things changed for the pair when they met online in 2009. After falling in love and moving in together, they decided to seek help.

"I went to the local health centre and got some Weight Watchers vouchers," explains Tina. "I was really worried about Mark's health, his blood pressure was through the roof and he'd fall asleep everywhere. Even watching a film together wasn't an option because he'd never stay awake all the way through. I'd already lost some weight but wanted to lose more and I knew we had to do something to improve Mark's health."

"It was awful sleeping with the mask on for my sleep apnoea," he adds. "I never, ever want to go back to that. I remember everyone being really worried about me at the time. I was falling asleep at work and they were concerned for me there. I knew I had to make a change so we both went to Weight Watchers.

"It was great, we didn't have to deprive ourselves of anything and the foods we could eat were really varied and excited, which was important for Tina because she loves to cook. We learnt about portion control and exercise and the weight just fell off. The people at the group also became our friends. Our leader, Emma Eardley even came to the wedding."

Ah yes, the wedding. Tina and Mark, who live in Willenhall, tied the knot on November 1, 2013, at Walsall Registry Office. It was an important and happy day for both, but held particular significance for bride Tina.

"Before I lost the weight, the idea of being the centre of attention or having my photograph taken was my worst nightmare," she says. "But it just felt the right time. Mark proposed by giving me a card that read 'To My Fiancée'. I was like 'Eh? I'm not your fiancée, what are you on about?' but then he just smiled and asked me. It was romantic."

Their Weight Watchers leader Emma added: "When Mark and Tina both joined my meeting, I could tell right away that their determination to succeed was really high.

"They both took to the plan like ducks to water. And I could really see the transformation in them both, not just in weight but also in confidence.

"When Tina finally got her goal last year I couldn't have been any prouder, it was a really emotional meeting as we all knew just how hard they have both worked on the plan and just what it meant to Tina. Her confidence was at an all-time high and she was loving all the new clothes she was buying. Then, when she told me after the meeting that week that they were going to get married, well, wow, how wonderful.

"Tina and Mark have become great friends and I was honoured to be invited to their wedding, they both looked amazing and I could see just how fantastic they felt. It was another emotional day."

Tina concludes: "Like I said, it was the best feeling in the world when I was able to walk into a normal high street shop and get into a size 12 dress off the peg. When we got our wedding photographs back I can honestly say it is the first time that I have ever looked at myself and been happy.

"Losing weight is the best thing that I have done for myself and my family, knowing that I am healthier and so much happier than I have ever been before."