Wigan takeaway addict inspired husband to lose weight with her - now they've shed 14 stone together

Tracie and Ste Lord, both 43, were in a cycle of unhealthy eating habits - getting fast food up to three times a weekend.

The pair, who would regularly indulge on cake and biscuits at nighttime, favoured regular all-inclusive holidays and trips to Florida.

At her heaviest, Tracie, a communications specialist, weighed 22st and was a dress size 22.

It was after a trip to Florida in 2017, where she was left feeling a "little" embarrassed at not fitting into a rollercoaster seat at SeaWorld, that she knew something had to change.

Tracie discovered she was munching nearly 3,000 calories a day and quickly she ditched her weekend takeaways, meal-deal lunches and white coffees.

And she swapped her unhealthy diet for ''fakeaways'', soups, water and black coffee.

In just 18 months, she managed to drop nine stone and six dress sizes with the support of her manufacturing technician husband.

Progress was set back however when she received a ''dreaded'' breast cancer diagnosis in July 2022 at Wigan infirmary.

But she has since been given the all clear, and despite having to take medication for the next five years, she is back to feeling healthy - alongside Ste who has lost five stone(from 19 to 14st) in the last 18 months, thanks to gym visits and cooking fresh meals with Tracie.

Tracie said: "I feel like losing weight has almost become easier since Ste stepped up his game.

"We're each other's biggest supporters, and whilst we have the days where we snack a little too much, we are there to encourage other to get back on track.

''I tried to brush off not fitting on a ride in Florida as just one of those things, but after coming home I felt sluggish and something just clicked.

''I've always had a big appetite and I didn't want to sacrifice the amount of food I was eating.

"So, I instead turned to healthy eating and shortly realised that I could still have large portions if I just made smarter choices.

"I was going to the gym a few times a week, and the weight was just dropping off of me.

"But after I was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, my healthier eating habits took a bit of a back seat.

"After I lost 5st, I think Steve realised that he could also do the same thing if he too changed his diet.

"We're both so much happier now we've lost weight, and we are both eager to continue a healthier lifestyle."

The pair, who have been together 21 years, used to snack on chocolate, crisps and biscuits, and have a Chinese or Japanese takeaway up to three times over a weekend.

The lifestyle change that would see her shed 9st in a year and a half was triggered by that Florida moment in October 2017.

She said: ''I sat in a test seat ride for Mako at SeaWorld and unfortunately the bar to secure me in just wouldn't go over my legs.

"Although I just brushed this off, subconsciously it gave me a kick up the bum."

But her progress was halted by the cancer diagnosis.

"I discovered I had breast cancer in my right breast after noticing a little lump in my left breast, and after an horrendous biopsy battling cancer became my top priority,'' she said.

"I had surgery to remove the cancer, followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy.

"As there were some issues with testing my tissue for cancerous cells, I didn't get the all clear until first my annual mammogram in October 2023.

"Ste was my rock throughout my cancer treatment, and I couldn't have got through it without him.

"Although I'm on tamoxifen for the next five years of my life, I'm determined to keep the weight off."

Ste had been slimming with Tracie from the beginning, but decided to step up after seeing her progress.

She said: "It was a difficult time for us both, but now I'm cancer-free, I'm even more determined to push myself and Ste back into our healthy eating habits.

"My weight loss definitely triggered Ste's and he's stepped up his gym game.

"We both bounce off of each other and encourage each other to be more mindful of the food we eat.

"I've introduced him to 'fakeaways' instead of takeaways and we both enjoy cooking our favourite Chinese dishes in a healthier way.

"Although we still enjoy social events, and the occasional takeaway, we are just a little bit more mindful of what we eat.

"It's been so much better continuing my weight loss journey with Ste on side, as we're so supportive of each other and encourage one another to stay on track."

The pair have now lost 14 stone between them and in September 2023, they returned to Florida and Tracie was ''finally able'' to fit into the seat on the Mako ride.

"It has been amazing going back this year and us both being able to enjoy our holiday without feeling really tired and hot all the time," she said.

"Steve and I had such a solid relationship, and healthier eating has brought us even closer.

"Something I didn't think was possible.

"We cook together and we love showing each other new recipes that we've discovered."

DIET BEFOREBREAKFAST: White coffee with two sugars, and a cheese toastie as a late morning snackLUNCH: Meal-deal, and two white coffees in the afternoonDINNER: birds eye chicken fillets, oven chips, a little bit of vegSNACKS: biscuits, chocolate and crisps

DIET AFTERBREAKFAST: low sugar bread with egg, black coffeeLUNCH: soup with tomatoes and sugar snap peasDINNER: chicken, wedges with sprouts and onions, and two coffees on the eveningSNACKS: Yoghurt, fruit and a packet of crisp