A Sidmouth couple, who have lost the equivalent of a person in weight, said the ‘right mindset’ can help people achieve their slimming goals.

Sidmouth Herald: Paul and Diana Lloyd dropped 10 stone between themPaul and Diana Lloyd dropped 10 stone between them (Image: Archant)

Since March 2014, Paul and Diana Lloyd have lost more than 10 stone between them, after making the decision to join Weight Watchers and shed the pounds to improve their health.

Two years ago, Paul, 58, weighed 20 stone and was suffering in his health, following a heart attack in 2007 and two knee replacements.

Since joining the weight loss group, he has dropped down to 13 stone 7lbs, while his wife has lost five-and-a-half stone.

Paul said: “I lost weight mainly because of my health, but, as we were going on a cruise, I thought it would be nice to look good in the pictures.

The couple told the Herald that looking back at old pictures” showed how far they had come.

Paul, who served in the Royal Navy, said: “It shocks you, looking back at how I was and how we are now. I do not want to go back.”

“It’s nice to go into a shop and buy something straight away and not have to ask ‘can you order me that jacket, because you do not do that size’.”

In his first week at Weight Watchers, Paul lost 11-and-a-half pounds. He said that even when they put on weight, the couple knew how to cope with it.

He said: “You have to have the mindset to lose weight. You have to have the willpower to carry on.”

The couple have increased their exercise regime by taking walks. Paul has also taken up running three times a week with the Axe Valley Runners and completed the Exeter Half Marathon last year in under three hours.

He said: “I had set myself a goal and I managed to get myself right to it. It was hard to start with, but as time goes on, it does get easier.

“I love the running. The group I run with is really friendly and chatty.”