New slim look for the Newlands

11:37am Wednesday 28th May 2008

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A Watford couple were "weighed-in" by their neighbours at a fund-raising party.

Janette and Russel Newland, of Edward Amey Close have lost 13 stone in 13 weeks between them and "feel like different people".

Janette, 39, organised the event to raise money for the residents of the street to go on seaside outings and to buy a shed to store the marquees they use for their annual parties.

She said: "I feel like a totally different person since I lost all the weight, I am still loud and confident, but I feel much happier and healthier now.

"In just 13 weeks I have lost more than four stone on the Cambridge Diet.

"It is great I can wear so many more clothes and I feel very energetic now."

The diet involves drinking various nutrient shakes for a period of time suited to the person and has become increasingly popular, according to the couple's counsellor, Nicki Richardson, who said she was "very proud of her favourite clients".

Nicki said: "They have done so well and even though conventional diets are great, they would never have lost the weight as quickly.

"Janette is even changing her job to become a diet counsellor."

Janette's 47-year-old husband, Russel, who was "weighed-in" by Nicki in front of the entire street to witness, shocked his friends with his eight stone 11lb weight-loss.

He said: "It is great, I can get into all my old clothes again.

"I reached rock bottom when it was a toss-up between buying a bigger van to do my landscape gardening work, or losing weight so I could fit behind the wheel.

"That is when I phoned Nicki for help."

Janette's daughter, Lauren, 17, said: "I am so proud of them, they have done really well.

"Mum is now taking all my clothes, she loves my jeans."

The couple are considering going forward for the "slimming couple of the year" Cambridge Diet award, and are certain they will keep their weight off and stick to the diet rules.