A COUPLE who slobbed in front of the television and lived off junk food and takeaways have transformed their lives.

Stephen and Sarah Mitchell have lost more than 12 stone between them in just 11 months.

Mrs Mitchell, 43, fell from 18st 4lb to 11st 1lb and her husband went from 18st 6lbs to 13st 6lb.

Teaching assistant Mrs Mitchell said she woke up one morning and decided it was time to lose weight.

She signed up for a new diet and fitness regime and her recruitment consultant husband decided to join her to give her some moral support.

From then on, cakes, takeaways, pizzas and chips were banned and replaced with healthy meals.

Mrs Mitchell, of Sycamore Road, Ambrosden, near Bicester, said: “We were eating all rubbish food – we used to have two or three takeaways a week, now we have one a month which we enjoy.”

“I had been suffering from a bad back and migraines and I just woke up one morning and said ‘today’s the day’.

“Like most people, we didn’t gain weight overnight. I think when you’re in a happy relationship it’s easy for your weight to creep up. We loved our evenings together and food was often at the heart of them. Before we knew it our clothes were too tight and our weight was getting us both down.”

Over the past 11 months the weight has dropped off the pair.

Mrs Mitchell, who has a son Henry, 20, said: “What really worked for us was doing it together – we spurred each other on each week.”

The diet regime has also cemented the couple’s relationship because the pair lead a more active life together with visits to the gym and plenty of long walks.

Mrs Mitchell joined the Bicester Slimming World group to help her shift the excess pounds.

And the pair also reached the final eight in the organisation’s national competition to find the slimming couple of the year.

Mrs Mitchell said: “We were delighted to make it to the finals of the competition and we had a great day meeting the other couples who’ve all been through the same experience as us.”

Val Neame, who runs the Bicester group, said: “I’m so proud of Sarah and Stephen. They’re living proof that slimmers are more successful when they lose weight with a loved one. It’s so hard to stay motivated when you’re going it alone and having someone there when the going gets tough is a motivational boost.”