Recovering Anorexic And Obese Man To Marry After Meeting At Eating Disorder Clinic (PICTURES)

Addictive Personalities

A recovering anorexic and a morbidly obese man are getting married, just months after meeting at an eating disorder clinic.

Lizzie Elsburg, 24, was 6.5 stone when she was admitted to rehab for anorexia and bulimia, while Chris Glasgow, 28, was a 35-stone overeater.

The unlikely couple, who met in August 2012, bonded at counselling sessions for their very different eating problems, began dating in January this year, and became engaged in February.

Their whirl-whind relationship shocked family and friends but now the couple are living near each other in Lizzie's hometown of Lorton, Virginia, and planning their future.

Lizzie, now a healthy nine stones, said: "At first I was a bit afraid of Chris. I couldn’t understand how anyone could let themselves get to that size.

"But after a while I got to know the person inside. I was able to see past his body issues, because I have body issues too.”

Chris, a junk food addict with low self-esteem, said: “When I found out through a friend that Lizzie liked me, I was really shocked.

"I didn’t think any girl would ever find me attractive, let alone one as beautiful as Lizzie. There’s no way I would ever hit on a girl like her in the past because I would have thought she’d just laugh at me."

During mealtimes at the clinic, Lizzie, who once ate 100 cals per day, had to piled her plate with food. Meanwhile Chris, who binged on five takeaways per day, was limited to muesli, salad, and a small side plate of food for dinner.

Lizzie admitted: “It was a little weird at first. It felt like we should swap plates.

"But we recognised that we were both determined to beat our eating disorders – and that’s what drew us together."

The couple became engaged at a park near the clinic, Pacific Shores Hospital, in Oxnard, California, after Chris got down on one knee and proposed.

"I barely got the question out when she excitedly said yes," he said. “I went to an eating disorder clinic to lose weight, and came out with the love of my life."

Scroll down for more pictures of the couple..

Now the couple are learning to cope with their eating disorders in the outside world and still receive weekly counselling sessions to deal with their emotional issues.

"I use food by cutting it out, he uses food by overdoing it, so it's the opposite but serves the same purpose," said Lizzie.

Lizzie is helping Chris in his diet and exercise regime - and even set him an ultimatum in case he falls back into his old ways.

"If he doesn't lose the weight then I won't marry him," she revealed. "If he went back to eating fast food and junk food the relationship wouldn't work from a health standpoint and from a point of physical attraction."

Instead of being hurt, Chris is determined, and said: "There's a lot on the line. But it makes me realise just how important it is to stay on track."

Meanwhile, the couple are planning to move in together soon, and have a medium-sized wedding next summer, with rustic-themed colours of mint and navy.

"A lot of my friends were surprised at first, but they're excited for me now," said Lizzie.

"No-one has said anything negative about how we look together or anything," she insisted.

Lizzie's mum Susan added: "I really did want them to slow down and get to know each other.

"But they're doing well, so I'm happy for them."

Click through to see the story of their relationship..

Lizzie Elsburg And Fiance Chris Glasgow

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