Despite the fact that he’s always “been a lumpy sort of a bloke,” Mr Atkinson admits it took an admission to hospital last year with pneumonia to shock he and wife Mandy into turning their life around.

Since then the pair has embraced an exercise and healthy-eating program Mr Atkinson has dropped from 132 kilograms to 92 kilograms and his wife has reduced her weight from 86.5kilograms to 64.5 kilograms.

Mr Atkinson’s improved health means he no longer has to go to bed with a sleep apnoea monitor attached to him and his blood pressure has seen a dramatic drop.

“Before I lost the weight I was heading towards diabetes,” said Mr Atkinson.

Mrs Atkinson had long struggled to keep her weight in check and said she almost killed herself through excessive exercising.

“In the end I got fed up by trying so hard.”

Now the pair remain fit by walking approximately six kilometres a day with an extra-long walk of up top 13 kilometres on a Sunday.

They also utilise the services of nutritionist Jackie Jasprizza who conducts regular weigh-ins to check on their progress.

“The weigh-ins are important because they help keep you motivated,” said Mr Atkinson.

“It also helps because we’re so competitive.”

Mr Atkinson’s predilection for take-away food has also been replaced by a love of salad.

“You eat more often but you don’t eat as much,” he said.

According to Mrs Atkinson eating healthy foods is not that difficult although she admits that she once spent three hours at the supermarket checking fat content on labels.

“There are a lot of low-fat options available and the food tastes just as good as regular food.”

Both admit to being proud of their efforts and they wish everyone could feel as good as they now do.

“I’m about the same now as when I was married,” said Mr Atkinson.

“I never thought I could do it,” said Mrs Atkinson.

There couple has also discovered that there are other benefits to keeping fit.

“When we walk, we talk; we have talked more in the last 10 months than we have talked in the last 10 years,” said Mr Atkinson.