Bride loses seven stone for big day
When most women get engaged they can't wait to start trying on wedding dresses.
But hairdresser Becky Hames from Cannock couldn't bring herself to go shopping for her big day because of her weight.
And it prompted the 25-year-old to lose seven stone over the course of 18 months before she walked down the aisle.
She married her teenage sweetheart Stephen on August 22 after slimming from 17 stone 4lbs to 10st 3lbs.
The couple were together for six years before they tied the knot.
Mrs Hames said: "We had been engaged a year and had set a date but I couldn't bring myself to try on any dresses because I just felt so awful about my weight. One day a leaflet for Slimming World came through the door and I decided I had to try it."
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Before attending weight loss classes run by Gill Fletcher at the Aquarius Ballroom in Hednesford with her sister and sister in law, Mrs Hames would feast on four McDonalds meals a week.
And she would also eat bags of crisps and chocolate bars every day.
She swapped junk food for fresh fruit and vegetables, and started making all her own meals from scratch including spaghetti bolognaise and plenty of chicken and sometimes fish.
She said: "I didn't set a target I just wanted to go and see what I could do. That's the great thing about Slimming World, there is no pressure. Now I am just three pounds off my personal ideal weight and have gone from a size 24 to a size 12."
The bride, formally Becky Lees, from Longford, wore a size 12 dress on her wedding day and added: "It even had to be taken in, I was beyond chuffed. I felt amazing, I had never experienced feeling good in clothes and the first time I ever wore a dress was for my hen party. When I saw the wedding picture I knew all the hard work was worth it. I still can't believe it is me."
Husband, Stephen, 27 couldn't be happier for his wife and Mrs Hames said: "He always said he loved me whatever size but I had to do this for me. He has lost over three stone himself simply by the food choices we have made at home so it is a journey we did together. He is very proud of me."
The newly weds who married at Moor Hall in Sutton Coldfield will honeymoon in Orlando, Florida later this month.
Mrs Hames said: "To feel confident in a swim suit will feel amazing and I am so happy to be able to shop anywhere and be able to choose sale items. I visited Florida a few years ago and was too big for some of the rides, now I will be able to go on all of them."
