Marriage, any good therapist will tell you, is a balancing act. For Angela and Willie Gillis, the act is easy. They’ve been best friends for more than 10 years, married for three. Their individual strengths balance the other’s weaknesses. They this sense of balance with helping them lose a combined 500 pounds.

‘Tired of being big’

A few days before their first wedding anniversary, Willie woke up and told his wife, “I’m tired of being big.” He had just gotten back from visiting his newborn goddaughter and was scared he might not live long enough to see her grow up.

That was January 2011. He weighed 492 pounds. His wife didn’t have to think long about joining him in his quest. Growing up, she never thought she had a problem. She was fairly active, but she loved food. By January 2011, she weighed 338 pounds. The couple started hitting the gym six days a week. At first, all they could do was walk 30 minutes on the treadmill. Slowly they increased their time, until she was running and he had walked off almost 150 pounds.

‘Kept each other accountable’

Angela quickly learned to make healthier versions of the couple’s favorite meals. That doesn’t mean they don’t give in to cravings on occasion. Willie used an iPhone app to track his calories and saved a few every day for a weekend treat. Through it all, they kept each other accountable.

Life for the Gillises is now full of activity. She teaches spin classes at the gym and recently completed a half marathon. She’s lost 200 pounds, going from a size 28 to a size 0. Willie joined a local running club. He has lost 300 pounds and gained a world of self-confidence.

“A lot of people give up — they end up quitting because they’re not doing something right. You have to take what you messed up on and try to make it work for you,” he says. “Once you learn it, it doesn’t take much to keep it going.”

Are you amazed at the effort the Gillises put in to achieve this feat? Tell us about your own success stories of conquering your own health struggles!

Source: Jacque Wilson, CNN

Image: Fox 13 News