A couple from New York is thanking God "for everything," specifically for making them realise the folly of binge eating.
In an Instagram post, the once obese Debbie Potter posted her brand-new svelte image with the message: "Be in love with your life... Every minute of it! There will be hard times -- that's just a part of life... But it's what your perception of the bad is that makes the difference! There is ALWAYS a silver lining... So thank God for everything because life is good!"
Debbie refers to the time in her life when she and her husband Brandon gave in to food cravings and late night takeaways after the birth of their first child Brayson, now aged three, in 2013.
Because of their overindulgence in feeding themselves—they admittedly consumed 8,000 calories a day on a diet that consisted of fast food hamburgers, fried chicken, and many sweets—the couple's combined weight reached up to 36 stone, or 505 pounds (she: 15.3 stone; he: 20.7 stone), according to the New York Post.
Debbie used her pregnancy as an excuse to satisfy her cravings. In "sympathy" for his wife, Brandon joined her in her eating spree. "Whenever she wanted a late night McDonald's I would eat, too, so she didn't feel as bad about it," he said.
The couple finally sensed something was wrong with them when they started finding it difficult to do simple tasks like bathing their children.
"I had to pull myself up holding onto the sink, and even doing that was tiring," Debbie said. "I used to just put my kids in front of the TV because I didn't have energy. I didn't want to take them out anywhere."
Debbie also realised that she needed to take control over her body to serve as a role model for her children.
The couple decided to stop binge eating. Brandon was the first to shed pounds.
Debbie and Brandon stopped going to fast food joints. The couple also started doing exercise routines six times a week, going on family walks and eating healthy foods.
As a result, they lost a combined 13 stone (182lbs). Now she is slim and healthy at 8st 5lb (120lbs) and her husband is a muscular 12st 8lb (180lbs), according to the Daily Mail.
The couple vowed never to indulge in overeating again, especially now that they're expecting a third child.
In another Instagram post, Debbie expressed her gratitude for her husband. "Today I want to acknowledge someone who keeps me inspired and motivated to be my best self every single day. This is my husband and he has been my biggest support through this whole journey! Not only have I lost 80 lbs, he has, too because we are in this together and boy has his weight loss paid off big time!
"Our marriage is stronger than ever because we know we can accomplish anything we set our minds to TOGETHER."
