A COUPLE are celebrating the birth of their daughter - after losing 13st 4lb between them.

Frank Barrow has lost 6st 10½lb while his fiancee Krystal Crofts has lost 6st 7½lb in 19 months, and the couple are now looking forward to their wedding this September after a life-changing year.

Commercial manager Frank, 41, said: “The final straw came when I looked back back at pictures from a city break two years ago. It was a lovely trip away, but I was embarrassed at the way I looked.

"We were trying for a baby and I was referred for surgery to increase our chances. The specialist told me to lose some weight first. I was already on a monitoring list for Type 2 Diabetes, we had a year until our wedding - I knew I had every reason to do it, it was time to make an effort to do something about my weight.”

Recruitment consultant Krystal, 35, who suffered with sleep apnoea due to her weight, spotted a Slimming World banner, and persuaded Frank to join with her.

The couple, from Stretford, had attended a friend’s wedding where Frank had a suit custom-made because he couldn’t find one from the high street that would fit. They decided they wanted to look better in their own wedding photos than they had in their friends’ and they knew they would need each other’s support.

Krystal, whose sleep apnoea has reversed since losing her weight, says: “I didn’t want to be a ‘fat family’, so I’m proud that Harlo will grow up eating healthy food and being active with us.

“I know a lot of people are waiting until the lockdown lifts to start losing weight. I’ve lost most of my weight since lockdown started, so I’d say if it’s important to you, don’t waste another day.”

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or contact Helen on 07730 563196.