Every bride dreams of dropping a few pounds for her wedding day.

But when 18-stone Lauren McLelland pledged to lose the pounds, she was given extra incentive by dieting fiancé Stewart.

The 23-stone financial software developer joined in her vow to slim down 18 months ahead of the big day.

Now the newlyweds have shed a total of 12 stone and are on a year-long challenge to do 15 charity runs. including the Oxford Mail backed Oxford Half Marathon in October.

The couple tied the knot on July 14 at Abingdon Register Office when she was 11st 7lbs and he was 15 stone.

The couple had tried diets before but commited to a running regime and fewer fatty foods.

County Durham-born Mrs McLelland, 25, said: “Seeing the pictures from my beautiful wedding day confirmed to me that I made the right decision when I decided to lose weight.

“I feel so much happier and more confident now and I’m not sure I’d have felt so comfortable walking down the aisle overweight and unhappy.”

Oxford Mail:

  • Before the pounds dropped

She met Cumbrian-born Stewart in 2007 when they were studying at Lancaster University. They moved to Oxford last autumn.

She said: “Getting fit has given us the confidence to improve other aspects of our lives, such as moving down to Oxford from Glasgow to get new jobs.”

The John Radcliffe Hospital cardiology medical secretary said: “If anyone else out there is unhappy with their body or wants to lose a bit of weight all I can say is, ‘Go for it!’”

Mr McLelland said: “We managed to lose some weight through diet change and exercise so we gave running a try.

“We only managed two miles on our first run.”

The Sutton Road, Headington couple are taking on challenges ranging from a two-mile run wearing Santa suits to the Vitality Oxford Half Marathon on October 12.

He said: “The Oxford Half Marathon is the pinnacle of our efforts.”

Cash will go to Rangers Charity Foundation, which gives funds to charities like UNICEF, Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, the Scottish Association for Mental Health and ENABLE.

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