( CNN ) -- Two years ago , Angela and Willie Gillis decided they were ready for a healthier lifestyle . Through diet changes and daily exercise they lost a combined 500 pounds . CNN readers were inspired by the Gillises ' story , posting more than 1,000 encouraging comments for the couple . They also showed that weight loss success stories come in all shapes and sizes . Seems our readers are doing their part to make America a Fit Nation . `` AWESOME ! So inspiring ! '' Holly Jean Paquin Michels posted on the story . `` My husband and I ( along with another couple ) are 3 months into our own transformation and have both lost almost 40 pounds . I love that your love for one another shines through in your commitment to this great challenge ! That 's how we are conquering it too . Congratulations ! '' `` Three years ago my wife and I each lost a lot of weight -- I lost 70 pounds and she lost 65 , '' alphacat4 said . `` We have kept it off . Amazing how much better we feel . ... She was able to quit taking some medications and I stayed off medications . '' `` You two keep up the GREAT work ! '' Joseph Elliott urged . `` My girlfriend and I have lost about 300 pounds over the past 3 years combined . ... We still have a long way to go , but reading ( stories ) like yours help us stay focused ! '' `` I love seeing a weight loss story like this one that focuses on healthy eating and exercising , '' Jacqueline Mayse said . `` My husband and I both decided to start losing weight this past January and it really helps to have each other for support and motivation . We have both lost almost 20 pounds so far and our goals are 40 to 50 pounds total . People keep asking us 'What are you doing to lose weight ? ! ' and seem a bit disappointed when we tell them calorie counting and exercise . Haha . You 're an inspiration ! '' The Gillises ' story provides hope to many married couples who fall into bad habits after the wedding . Research shows both men and women tend to gain more weight than their single counterparts . Reader Stimpee525 has lost 25 pounds since December , finally falling out of the `` obese '' BMI range . `` Not gon na lie -- I was trying to keep up diet-wise with my husband and PACKED on weight , '' she said . `` After awhile I decided enough was enough and joined Weight Watchers . ... I showed him this article last night . He 's been getting on our exercise bike so it 's a start . '' `` My wife and I would lose weight here and there , but ( had ) never tackled both diet and exercise together , '' NightWatch posted . `` Over the last 9 months , we 've lost 134 pounds combined as well -- 75 for me , 59 for her -- and we 've got another 100 combined to go to get where we need to be . And we 'll get there ! '' Of course , all the single ladies -- and men -- out there are n't slacking off either . `` I 've decided to lose weight , '' Iggy Noramous said . `` In seven weeks I 've gone from 255 to 239 . Only about 40 pounds to go . '' `` I 'm in week three of my 'healthier eating lifestyle change ' and I find this story very inspiring ! ! Y'all did that ! ! '' Dana Colson said . `` I like stories like this , keeps me motivated , '' LostinSLC1969 said . `` I am working to lose 75 pounds right now . So far down 10 in 6 weeks and staying on top of my goal . '' `` I copied this article , along with the pictures , and will read it every morning until I lose the last 100 pounds I want to lose , '' LRob said . `` I 've lost 35 , and now I know I can do it . '' Losing weight is n't all about looking better on the outside . Two of our readers really expressed what losing weight can do for your health overall : . `` Being healthy just feels good , '' Melissa Rideough said . `` I decided to lose 45 lbs a year and a half ago and it is the best thing I ever did for myself . I had no energy at 165 pounds and often got sick to my stomach . Now I do n't feel like I have extra weight holding me down when I want to do activities . '' `` I used to be a chubby 275 too , '' GreatGrizly1 said . `` Then one day I started doing what I love doing -- hiking and backpacking . Within the course of a year I lost 74 pounds , and at 6 ' 1 '' , I had a 33 '' waist and a 56 '' chest . ... I felt GREAT . And that was the reward . ''
Angela and Willie Gillis lost a combined 500 pounds . CNN readers shared their own weight loss success stories . Having someone to keep you accountable helps , reader says .