A HAPPY couple of dedicated dieters are to get married after losing 21 stone between them.

Kelly Head, 40, and Philip Kettle, 56, of Wood Avenue, Purfleet, met at a Weight Watchers meeting and after achieving their weight goals are looking forward to getting engaged in the spring.

When Kelly first walked into a Weight Watchers meeting she was at her heaviest weight of 12 stone 7 pounds.

She’d realised she was not only unhappy about her size but in a poor state of health as the weight made the back injuries she had sustained from a road traffic accident worse.

The injuries meant that Kelly was unable to exercise strenuously, but over time and with dedication to the Weight Watchers programme, not only did Kelly see the weight drop off, she’s also now a regular at demanding exercise classes.

Phillip had been overweight for many years and his health was beginning to suffer with illnesses like hypertension and a torn knee cartilage he was on several tablets a day to manage it all.

Eventually, he said enough was enough and joined his local meeting, weighing in at 32 stone 7 pounds.

Kelly and Philip met at a meeting and under the guidance of their coach Marsha Giltnane are happier than ever, and even go to the gym several times a week.

Philip said: “I decided to lose weight in December 2011 and I lost 17.5 stone in 15 months and finished in September 2013.

“I was on various medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but now I am off the medicines and my health is much better.

“Since I lost the weight I have done two marathons and am hoping to do another marathon this year.”

Kelly said: “I lost almost three stone and I am so pleased with that.

“I have been going to Weight Watchers meetings on and off but meeting Phillip and having him with me gave me the motivation and inspiration that I needed.

“I feel like a completely different person and am able to do so much more than I was able before. I wanted to make a change and I am glad.”