The wonderful story of two Slimming World members, ten and a half stone lost, a national award and a very special wedding.
Over the years, I have seen some extraordinary things happen in my Slimming World groups. Members have transformed their health, discovered confidence they never knew they had, made lasting friendships and achieved things they once thought impossible.
But every so often, something happens that is rather magical.
Two of my members met in group, fell in love and got married!
Two journeys, one very special connection
When Niki Cowell and Chris Miller first joined my Stevenage Slimming World group, they arrived separately, each with their own reasons for wanting to lose weight. Niki went on to lose an incredible five stone, while Chris lost five and a half stone and has maintained his achievement for many years.
Both embraced the support, encouragement and friendship that make our groups so special. They discovered that losing weight did not have to mean giving up everything they enjoyed, and that having people around them who understood the challenges could make an enormous difference. Somewhere along the way, something else blossomed.
Niki and Chris fell in love!
National recognition for a very special couple
In May 2025, their story was featured in The Comet after they were crowned winners of our group's Slimming World Two Together competition. The competition celebrates inspiring weight-loss partnerships, and Niki and Chris were a wonderful example of what can happen when two people encourage, motivate and believe in one another. Their achievements also earned them a place in the national finals.
I remember feeling enormously proud of them both. Not simply because they had lost more than ten stone between them, but because of the wonderful contribution they made to our group and the encouragement they offered to others. Of course, I did have to point out to the newspaper that while we provide plenty of support with weight loss, matchmaking is not normally included in the membership fee!
From Slimming World to wedding bells
When the newspaper shared their story, Niki and Chris were looking forward to their wedding. Since then, they have become husband and wife, and I was absolutely delighted to be part of their special day. I was honoured to be invited to read a very Slimming World-themed poem as part of their wedding ceremony.
What a lovely moment that was!
To think that two people who originally walked through the doors of my group hoping to change their lives would go on to find one another, fall in love and invite me to share in their wedding celebrations is something I will always treasure.
It was a beautiful reminder that the connections we make in life can lead us in directions we never imagined.
We gain so much more than we lose
People often think of Slimming World in terms of the weight we lose, the healthier habits we develop or the confidence we gain.
All of those things matter enormously but our groups are also about people. They are about friendships, kindness, laughter, shared experiences and feeling part of something. Sometimes those friendships last for years. Sometimes they lead to adventures, celebrations and wonderful memories.
And just occasionally, they lead to a wedding!
Niki and Chris, I am so proud of everything you have achieved, and I feel very fortunate to have played a small part in your story.
You came to group to lose weight, but you found something rather wonderful along the way.
Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.
Sarah x
Niki and Chris's weight-loss and love story was featured in The Comet on 28 May 2025, under the headline “Weight loss couple shed 10 stone while supporting each other”.
There is so much more to Slimming World than a number on the scales. Visit my Slimming World page to discover the support, friendship and encouragement waiting in our Stevenage and Hitchin groups.
