Slimming World couple look unrecognisable after shedding 17st and are eating more than ever

A COUPLE who gorged on takeaways almost every night look unrecognisable after losing more than 17st (108kg) between them.

Nicola and Chris Guilfoyle have been crowned Slimming World Couple of the Year 2021 after their incredible transformation.

The parents, from Tipperary, Ireland, used to watch their three children play, riddled with guilt that they were unable to join in with them.

Their marriage got stuck in a rut as they battled their comfort-eating demons.

But a turning point came for Nicola, 36, when she didn't fit in the seatbelt for a rollercoaster at Drayton Manor because her stomach was too large.

The pair joined the Slimming World group in County Tipperary in January 2020 and lost more than 7lbs each in the first week.

But they say they are eating more than ever - just in a healthier way.

They swapped takeaways, sausage rolls, crisps and fried foods for home cooked lamb biriyanis, chicken salad wraps and low calorie chocolate bars.

After "reigniting" their marriage, Chris, 36, said the couple are now looking forward to going on holiday together, having never been able to fit next to each other on plane seats before.

Slimming World is a weight loss group that encourages people to eat unlimited “Free Food”, such as vegetables, pasta and lean meat, while counting “Syns” of other more calorific foods, like wine and chocolate.

HUGE WEIGHT LOSS

Nicola, who has now lost more than 12st (76kg), says: “I’ve battled with my weight all my life really, at least since my teens.

“When the kids were younger it was so easy for us to forget about our own health and reach for takeaway menus once they had gone to bed. 

“Our youngest daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was two and a half years old, she’s doing fabulously now, but it was difficult to begin with, and  Chris and I used food as comfort."

Speaking of the moment she realised she needed to drastically change, Nicola said: “I remember taking my daughter to Drayton Manor and being asked to get off a ride as the safety bar wouldn’t fit over my stomach. 

“I laughed it off at the time, but on the inside, I was distraught that my young child had to ride alone, and that I was missing these precious moments with her. 

“I was at the heaviest I’ve ever been when I joined Slimming World, and I used to find even minor things that people take for granted difficult, such as tying my own shoelaces, so I’d wear sliders as my feet were so painful and swollen.

“I used to suffer from constant heartburn and acid reflux to the point where I would vomit when I lay down, but that has gone away since I lost weight."

Nicola has excelled in her weight loss during lockdown and said: "People hadn’t seen me for months.

"But once restrictions started to ease, the other parents in the school yard didn’t recognise me at first as I’ve lost so much weight. I feel a lot more confident in myself now.”

Chris, who has lost 5st 1.5lbs (around 33kg) agreed to join Slimming World with Nicola to improve his own health. 

He said: “I thought I might lose a few pounds but didn’t realise how much I’d be able to eat with Slimming World and still lose weight. 

“I was quite cynical when I first heard about Food Optimising and the list of Free Food that you could eat without restriction.

"Then we went back to group after a week for our first weigh-in and I’d lost 7.5lbs and Nicola had lost 8lbs. Since then we’ve never looked back.”

The couple spoke about how the diet brought them together.

Nicola said: “Chris has never been bothered by my size and walking through those doors I felt like we were united. 

“All the other members were so friendly, and our Consultant made us relax instantly.

“When we first joined, I felt exercising very uncomfortable, I got breathless very quickly and was afraid of doing myself an injury, so I just didn’t do any.

“Through the support of my family and Consultant we gradually introduced little walks into our day.

"We gradually increased the distance we walked and now you can’t stop us. We go on long walks with the children and we’ve even joined a gym!”

Chris, a retail manager, says: “I’m surrounded by food at work and used to visit the deli daily to grab my lunch – by joining Slimming World I was worried I’d have to give up all of my favourite food.

“But I’m eating more than ever. 

“I prepare my breakfast the night before, which my youngest daughter loves to help with, and I’m really enjoying the home cooked dinners.

"Nicola adapts to make them the Slimming World way, like swapping fatty meats for leaner cuts of meat. Our favourites are the diet cola chicken and lamb biriyani.”

Nicola, a stay-at-home mum, is loving being able to be active with the children since losing weight.

She said: “We’ve been doing so much together as a family, including hiking and cooking. Losing weight has also reignited our marriage – it has changed our lives.

“We still enjoy a good takeaway on occasion, but we make healthy choices now that we’ve learnt since joining Slimming World, like having boiled rice instead of egg fried rice when we have a Chinese.”

Since losing weight the couple are looking forward to going on holiday together. 

Chris said: “When we were overweight Nicola and I couldn’t even sit next to each other on an airplane we were so big. 

“Now we’re looking forward to planning holidays together as a family and enjoying doing things we were never able to do before, creating memories with our children that will last a lifetime.”