"Brendan and I have struggled with our weight for years. I could see that the kids were gaining weight too." In early 2006, Debbie and Brendan, who both work for the police force, each weighed 16st 4lbs. During a visit to his GP, Brendan was told his blood pressure was too high. Meanwhile, Debbie's self-esteem was at an all-time low due to her weight and she was taking medication for depression. “When we found out about Brendan's blood pressure, we knew we really had to take action,” she says. “Our oldest daughter, Rhiannon, is 21. She was in 12th grade and weighed 5 pounds, about 21 pounds overweight.” Eldest son Liam and youngest son Ciaran, 13, could also benefit from losing a few pounds, says Debbie. “I didn't want kids to grow up dealing with the same health issues as us.” When a friend recommended local weight loss classes, Debbie immediately booked a place for herself and Brendan. “It was quite daunting at first,” Debbie says. "But we both soon found the courses to be enormously supportive." A counselor provided advice on diet and exercise during weekly meetings, and group members were encouraged to share their