A super-slimming couple from London Colney have lost 9st 6.5lb between them to reach the finals of a national weight-loss competition.

Mike and Jane Hobday got in shape with the help of their local Slimming World group and are one of just 21 couples from across the UK and Ireland to have reached the finals of the organisation’s Couple of the Year 2014 contest.

The pair say the secret of their success was getting support from each other at home as well as from the other members at the Slimming World group in London Colney, which helped them to stay committed to their weight-loss goals. 

Jane, 52, who lost 6st 2.5lb going from 18st to 11st 11.5lb, said: "I think losing weight together made a big difference because we were able to spur each other on every week and we were eating the same meals.

"We eat so much healthier now, we make everything ourselves instead of relying on convenience foods and it tastes so much nicer.

"The great thing about Slimming World is that you can eat so many foods without having to weigh or measure them - they’re called ‘Free Foods’ - like fruit and veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat and more, so you can still have all your favourite meals you just have to change the way that you make them and you don’t ever feel hungry.

"One of our favourite things to have now is vegetable curry and rice.

"We’re both more active nowadays too and regularly enjoy walking and running with the London Colney Running Club.

"As well as doing it together, the support of the group was really important. I went along with our daughter, while Mike followed the plan at home.

"Every week we get so much great help and advice and pick up new recipes to try, which is part of the reason we’ve never been bored with what we’re eating. If we ever go off track our friends at group are there to help us get back on it and remind us why we wanted to lose weight in the first place. The other members have been such an inspiration to us and I’m proud to say that people tell us we’ve inspired them as well."

It was Jane and Mike’s fellow members at the group who voted for them to become London Colney’s Slimming World Couple of the Year 2014. Following their selection they were invited to represent London Colney at the national finals at Slimming World’s head office in Derbyshire.

Mike, 50, who started out at 17st 4lb and has lost 3st 4lb to reach 14st added: "We were delighted to be part of the finals but, if we’re honest, we already feel like we’ve won the biggest prize we could ever have wished for because losing weight has completely changed our lives.

"Like most people, our weight gain was quite gradual. Before we knew it our clothes were tight and our weight was getting us both down. Then in May 2012 Jane decided to join Slimming world to support our daughter and I began following the plan at home. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made, not just for us but for our whole family and we’ve got a healthier future with our children and grandchildren to look forward to as a result."

Mike and Jane weren’t the overall winners of the competition that honour went Graeme and Lisa Wharton, from Sunderland, who lost 10st 4lb between them.