Couple crowned ‘slimmers of the year’ after seatbelt shame
BEING forced to ask for a seatbelt expansion was one of the reasons which led to Mark Gibbon and his wife, Amanda, deciding to lose weight – and now, having lost nearly eleven and a half stone between them, the couple have been crowned Slimming World’s Couple of the Year 2017.
The couple, from Chepstow, embarked on their weight-loss journey after Mark was mortified at being forced to ask for a seatbelt extension on a plane, and Amanda was once reduced to tears during an incident in a changing-room.
And just eight months later the couple have lost 11st 5lb between them, taken the national slimming title, and Mark’s doctor has told him the weight loss has added 20 years to his life expectancy.
Mark, 53, has lost 7st 11lb 8oz, going from 20st 10lb 8oz to 12st 13lb, and losing 14 inches from his waist. Amanda, 46, has lost 3st 10lb, going from 13st 8lb 8oz to 9st 12lb 8oz and dropping from a size 18 to a 10.
Mark said: “It was beyond embarrassing having to ask for a seatbelt extension. And the worst thing is that you know you’re going to have to ask for one on the way back too.
“Meanwhile, Amanda hated shopping, and on one occasion ended up fleeing a changing- room in floods of tears because she couldn’t find anything to fit and hated seeing herself from every angle in the mirror.”
The couple joined the Chepstow Slimming World group.
Amanda said: “Life is just amazing now. We’re healthier – Mark’s doctor told him that he’s probably added 20 years to his life – and so much fitter. We love running around after our grandchildren instead of being Nan and Bamp who just sit in the chair or puff and pant after just five minutes of playing.”