Brenda Erfle-Clark goes from dating slump to beautiful bride

Brenda Erfle-Clark was always "the nice one" with the "good personality." Growing up in the small town of Rapelje, Mont. (population: 100), she was the heavy kid who got teased.

She was self-conscious, especially around boys, a trait that followed her through college. When she turned 26, she weighed 212 pounds.

Then her sister Tracy had a baby in 2003. The following year, she checked out L A Weight Loss to drop the lingering post-pregnancy weight. Brenda tagged along.

Unfortunately, her sister lived too far from the center to keep up with the program while raising a newborn. But Brenda decided to join with her roommate Craig.

As Brenda dropped the weight, she also shed her self-conscious exterior. In September 2005, Brenda caught the eye of Kenny Clark. Two years after starting L A Weight Loss, Brenda reached her goal weight -- and married Kenny. The wedding date: Oct. 21, 2006.

Today the newlywed is the happiest she's ever been, and credits the support of her L A Weight Loss counselors. Brenda has since convinced her cousin Amy to join the program, and Amy lost 30 pounds!

Here's Brenda before, with roommate Craig:



And here's the beautiful blushing bride at 160 pounds! It's a fairytale come true!



FAST FACTS

Name: Brenda Erfle-Clark
Hometown: Loring, Mont.
Age: 29

Starting weight: 212 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: October 2004

Biggest temptation: Chocolate and cheese.

Biggest motivator: Finally being happy with her body.

Old eating philosophy: Eating out a lot, and giving in to her cravings.

New eating philosophy: Still has the cravings, but learned how to eat in moderation.

Best thing about losing weight: Wearing clothes she likes, rather than what fits. And, of course, meeting husband Craig!

Best weight loss secret learned: Losing weight is not about going from bad to good. You were beautiful before you lost the weight. Now you're just better.

Grandmother gains the energy of a toddler

Kitty Fendley spends her life making people healthier as a nurse in Alabama. But when her weight ballooned to 381 pounds, it was Kitty who needed to get healthier -- and fast.

She had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, couldn't move around easily, and struggled to sit in chairs and the car.

But the worst part was when her youngest daughter had her first child. It broke Kitty's heart that she couldn't keep up with her new grandson. Kitty considered gastric bypass surgery, but it just wasn't for her.

She tried Weight Watchers, where she lost some weight, but gained it back. Slim Fast didn't work for her, and the grapefruit diet failed, too. Finally Kitty opted for L A Weight Loss to help her renew her life.

Two years after joining L A Weight Loss, Kitty is down to 198 pounds -- almost half her size! Seeing how successful she's been, Kitty wants to keep going and lose another 20 to 25 pounds.

Kitty no longer has high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Even though she lost a lot of weight, she doesn't have any loose skin, which she owes to her steady rate of weight loss.

Her energy level has skyrocketed, and now her grandson is trying to keep up with her! But Kitty's success doesn't end there. Her niece and a few of her coworkers are also on L A Weight Loss now, well on their way to a healthy, new figure!

Here's Kitty before, at 381 pounds, with her grandson:



Here's Kitty now, at 198 pounds. WOW! Congrats, Kitty!



FAST FACTS:

Name: Kitty Fendley
Hometown: Butler, Ala.
Age: 57

Starting weight: 381 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 198 pounds
Program start date: Dec. 13, 2004

Biggest motivator: One-on-one counseling.

Old eating philosophy: Not caring about nutrition or portion sizes.

New eating philosophy: Religiously following counselor's tips and eating guidance.

Best thing about of losing weight: Being physically active, and getting complimented on her good looks.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink lots of water!

From "ugly and fat" to "trim and beautiful"

We often feature people on this blog who've lost an extraordinary amount of weight. But that's just one side of the L A Weight Loss story.

There are also people who want to nip their weight in the bud before they reach obesity, which can be just as challanging as dropping hundreds of pounds.

Consider Janet Cole's story. She wrote to me in September. She was 180 pounds when she joined the L A Weight Loss program in March. She blamed a lifetime of emotional eating for her extra weight.

She wore a size 16, had a 41-inch waist, and was on two kinds of blood pressure medication. She had zero self-confidence and, in her own words, thought she was "ugly and fat."

Before she discovered L A Weight Loss, Janet had tried many other diets, to no avail. To further complicate matters, her doctor advised her against taking diet pills, because of her high blood pressure.

Then one day she saw a TV ad for L A Weight Loss, and decided to give it a try. But taking that first step was easier said than done. She cancelled several appointments due to nerves. Imagine that! Jittery nerves over joining a weight loss program!

When she finally went into the Sandy Springs, Ga., center, she never looked back. In eight months, Janet reached her goal weight of 145 pounds. Plus, thanks to her counselor Delores Young, she's no longer turning to food to cope with life's ups and downs.

Here's Janet at 180 pounds:



And here she is looking buff and beautiful at 145 pounds! What a difference 35 pounds makes!



FAST FACTS

Name: Janet Cole
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Age: 48

Starting weight: 180
Goal weight: 145
Current weight: 145
Program start date: March 2006

Biggest motivator: Getting her high blood pressure and high cholesterol under control.

Old eating philosophy: Emotional eating, no matter what food was in front of her.

New eating philosophy: Proteins, fruits, vegetables, and two starches every day. She eats a lot of wheat bread, ground turkey, chicken breasts, and fresh fish.

Best thing about losing weight: Having a waistline, and being able to wear clothes that show it off!

Best weight loss secret learned: Sometimes you have to think about yourself. If you want to be around to see your kids grow up, you have to put your health first.

Two hearts beat as one

For Wendy and Mark Wagler, joining L A Weight Loss together was a no-brainer. They've always had a solid marriage, and both had the same health concern: They didn't want their weight to get in the way of living a long, happy life.

They were also concerned about the health problems that run in their families. Wendy's father was diabetic who passed away before turning 60, and her mother suffered a few strokes. Mark's father recently had his lower intestines removed.

Being overweight themselves, Wendy and Mark knew they were heading down the wrong road. Wendy and Mark walked into the Oshawa, Ontario, L A Weight Loss center together on Aug. 1, 2005.

Through it all, working together was key. After listening to their story, I don't think they would have been so successful had they done it alone. They leaned on each other a lot for support, and bought new bikes for each other as a reward for losing weight.

They even surpassed their goal weights together! Wendy went from 190 pounds to 129 pounds (six pounds below her goal), and Mark went from 230 pounds to 168 pounds (seven pounds below his goal).

Now Wendy and Mark are planning a vacation to show off their new bodies. They made the commitment to lose weight, and ended up becoming more committed to each other. Wendy and Mark tell me they are more in love than ever! Ah, amore!

Here's the couple before, Wendy at 190 pounds, and Mark at 230 pounds:



And here's Wendy today at 129 pounds:



Here's Mark today at 168:



FAST FACTS

Name: Wendy Wagler
Hometown: Oshawa, Ontario
Age: 43

Starting weight: 190 pounds
Goal weight: 135 pounds
Current weight: 129 pounds
Program start date: Aug. 1, 2005

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Her husband, Mark.

Biggest obstacle: Staying disciplined.

Old eating philosophy: Atkins diet, which made her gain weight once she started eating carbs again.

New eating philosophy: Salad everyday, with good portions of protein.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the confidence to go back to school to be a medical lab technicians, and looking forward to the future with her family.

Best weight loss secret learned: Erase all the memories of weight loss failure. Focus on what the L A Weight Loss counselors tell you, and you'll succeed.



Name: Mark Wagler
Hometown: Oshawa, Ontario
Age: 44

Starting weight: 230 pounds
Goal weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Program start date: Aug. 1, 2005

Biggest motivator: His wife, Wendy.

Biggest obstacle: Revamping his eating style.

Old eating philosophy: Weight Watchers and Atkins, which were "too difficult to stay on."

New eating philosophy: Plan meals the day before, and watch sodium consumption.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the energy to spend more time with the kids, and being more in love with Wendy.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't have to go it alone. It's OK to lean on others to help you through this major life change.

Ron Layne: "Losing weight saved my life!"

Last January, Ron Layne's health was so bad, his doctor ordered him to take temporary medical leave from his transit job. Unbeknownst to Ron, his doctor believed that the leave would most certainly be permanent.

That's because Ron, age 60, was connected to an oxygen tank 24/7 to help with his breathing, and had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and chronic sinus infections. Being 278 pounds didn't help.

For months, Ron's family pleaded with him to lose the extra weight to save his health, to no avail. Then, one March morning, he saw an ad in the local newspaper for L A Weight Loss, and thought, "I have nothing to lose but the weight!" (Must have been one of our better ads! )

He wound up losing 69 pounds as of this month, which was on target for meeting his goal weight of 209 pounds. But with his weight reduction, he also (1) lost the oxygen tank, (2) his blood pressure is slowly moving into the normal range, and (3) his doctor believes his sleep apnea is all but gone.

Was the weight loss the trigger? Only his doctor can say. Speaking of which, his doctor has been so impressed with Ron's progress that he is now recommending the L A Weight Loss program to his obese patients. He's also cleared Ron for a return to work in January.

Ron's doctor said if he hadn't seen Ron's progress himself, he wouldn't have believed it! You can see why by looking at Ron's before and after photos. Here's Ron is before, at a near-deadly 278 pounds:




















Now, 69 pounds lighter, and a lot healthier:



FAST FACTS

Name: Ron Layne
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Age: 60

Starting weight: 278 pounds
Goal weight: 209 pounds
Current weight: 209 pounds
Program start date: March 2006

Biggest motivator: Getting his health back on track, so he could return to his job as a bus driver.

Old eating philosophy: Overeating, then more overeating. Finish a gallon of ice cream or a large bag of potato chips in one sitting.

New eating philosophy: Lots of salad, fruits, and fewer starches. And no potato chips in six months!

Best thing about losing weight: It's the little things, like being able to cross his legs, touch his toes, and lean over to bowl. And getting lots more female attention!

Best weight loss secret learned: If you're overweight, it's a health issue, pure and simple, and should be treated that way.

Phys ed teacher takes the ball and runs with it

Teaching physical education can be a blast -- unless you're 270 pounds. Just ask Tammy Anderson, who struggled to teach adaptive physical education to her students in Oak Grove, Minn., while carrying all that extra weight.

Things didn't get much better when the afternoon bell rang. She ran out of breath when climbing stairs, and her arms and legs went numb when she slept. But Tammy's moment of truth came when she realized she couldn't get down on the floor to play with her son.

She joined L A Weight Loss in October 2005, when she was a size 28 -- and sometimes even those clothes were tight. Her goal was to wear a size 10, but guess what? She surpassed even that by the following June, dropping 140 pounds and 55 inches!!

Now she's excited to wake up every day, doing Tae Bo with her students, and riding bikes and playing tag with her son. She even convinced her husband to help her prepare healthy meals for their family, and HE went down two pants sizes in just two weeks! Unbelieveable!

Here's the old Tammy at 270 pounds:



And brand new Tammy -- WOW! Doesn't she look fantastic at 130 pounds?



FAST FACTS

Name: Tammy Anderson
Hometown: Oak Grove, Minn.
Age: 36

Starting weight: 270 pounds
Goal weight: 148 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Program start date: October 2005

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy so she can be around to see her son grow up.

Old eating philosophy: Lots of fast food and microwavable dinners.

New eating philosophy: She cooks leaner, healthier meals packed with vegetables and protein.

Best thing about losing weight: She has the confidence to walk up to people and start talking to them.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you're really ready to lose the weight, just give it a chance.

One soldier's unbelievable homecoming

Alisha Marigani wanted to give her husband Kyle, a Staff Sgt. in the U.S. Army, the ultimate surprise when he returned home after a year in Iraq. And boy, did she ever give him some shock and awe!

When he left for Iraq in early 2005, Alisha was 268 pounds and a size 24. She shopped in men's stores, because those were the only clothes that fit her. But just before her hubby was deployed to Iraq, she secretly started on the L A Weight Loss program, determined to slim down by the time he returned.

She even refused to send him photos of herself, lest he catch on to her upcoming surprise. The underground operation worked! By February 2006, Alisha had lost 107 pounds, and greeted Kyle in a feminine size 8 pink shirt. Kyle was shocked. He barely recognized his bride, now a svelte 161 pounds!

In fact, Alisha and Kyle's reunion story was so touching that it caught the eye of a local reporter, which eventually landed them on Good Morning America! They say the camera adds 10 pounds, but you certainly can't see any extra weight on Alisha! See for yourself:



Here's Alisha and Kyle a year ago, when Alisha was 268 pounds:



Here she is looking slim and sexy at 161 pounds as she awaits to greet Kyle for the first time since joining L A Weight Loss:



FAST FACTS

Name: Alisha Marigani
Hometown: Oceanside, Calif.
Age: 28

Starting weight: 268 pounds
Goal weight: 137 pounds
Current weight: 161 pounds
Program start date: February 2005

Biggest motivator: Surprising her husband who was returning home after a year in Iraq.

Best thing about losing weight: Buying new clothes (at women's stores!) and playing outside with her daughter.

Best weight loss secret learned: The L A Weight Loss counselors are like a best friend; they keep tabs on you and make you accountable for your actions. They truly understand you and are your biggest cheerleader.

No more rain for this Washington woman

A gorgeous, slinky dress hangs on Carlye Durham's wall. It's been there since she joined the L A Weight Loss center in Kennewick, Washington, in August of last year.

The dress represents Carlye's goal to slim down to 125 pounds. She hopes to fit into it once she reaches her goal weight. Today she's just 26 pounds away, which is a huge accomplishment, considering she joined L A Weight Loss weighing 249 pounds!

What brought Carlye to L A Weight Loss? It's something I think we all struggle with at some point in our lives, no matter what our size: the judgment of society.

Everyone can pick something out about themselves that they don't like. For Carlye, it was carrying 249 pounds on a petite five-foot frame. She felt like all eyes were on her when she went out in public -- and not in a good way.

Carlye knew she had to lose weight, but she felt like a prisoner to food. Bags of potato chips and boxes of Hot Pockets numbed her pain and depression, but only made her gain more weight.

With the encouragement of her parents, Carlye joined L A Weight Loss. Carlye told me that the day she walked through the doors the Kennewick center was the day she found freedom from judgment, food, and unhappiness. That's also the day she bought the dress, so she could look at it daily, and remember her goal to reach a size 4/6.

To date, Carlye has lost 98 pounds, an accomplishment she believes has given her a second chance at life. Now she loves biking, going out, and shopping. And she does everything with a smile because, as she says, "life is good!"

Want to read more about Carlye's story? Read the letter she wrote me for her unedited account of her struggle.

Carlye before, at 249 pounds:



Making progress towards fitting in to her sexy goal dress:




















And Carlye after, all smiles, at 151 pounds. You did it, Carlye!



FAST FACTS:

Name: Carlye Durham
Hometown: Kennewick, Washington

Age: 28
Height: 5'
Starting weight: 249 pounds
Goal weight: 125 pounds
Current weight: 151 pounds
Program start date: Aug. 10, 2005

Biggest motivators: L A Weight Loss counselor (Lisa Frendel), family, God, and her new dress.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming love for food.

Old eating philosophy: Skipping breakfast, eating a family-sized bag of potato chip bag for lunch, and boxes of frozen meals for dinner.

New eating philosophy: She's cut out all high-carb, high-sugar foods, and makes sure to eat fruits or vegetables in evenings.

Best thing about losing weight: The freedom of being thin and healthy.

Best weight loss secret learned: Give all of yourself, and L A Weight Loss and God will do the rest!

The apple of Washington's eye

I received a three-page tear-jerker of a letter from an L A Weight Loss client in Washington state (she lives in Kelso, Wash.). I've posted the entire letter here, but for those who are pressed for time, I'll summarize.

Patty Cage of Washington state struggled with her weight since she was nine. That's when she went from her mother's home, which barely had food; to a foster home, a controlled environment, as far as food went; to her adoptive family's home, where she could eat anything and everything, whenever she wanted.

As a result, Patty learned to use food as a coping tool. She would sneak into the cupboards and devour jars of peanut butter in one sitting. Ditto with crackers and chips and other snacks. And the more weight she put on, the more she retreated from the world. She was too embarrassed by her weight problem to socialize, and thought everyone was whispering about how bad she looked.

Her eating habits got worse as she got older. She ate McDonald's for breakfast, and Burger King for lunch every day (and not their healthier meal choices, obviously). Then for dinner she would eat three to four tacos, or a can of chili topped with cheese, scooped up with Doritos.

Sometimes she would go to the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet and eat a big salad, three or four slices of pizza, and dessert, just to make sure she got her money's worth. Likewise, she always made sure to stock up on Oreos when they were on sale -- because she would often pour half the package over a big bowl of ice cream.

You get the picture. Patty's eating habits were out of control, and controlling her life. A trip to Australia in 2000 became a nightmare, because she was totally uncomfortable in the heat, and could barely fit into restaurant booths.

Back home in Washington state, she had trouble sleeping, and her joints ached constantly (and the constant rainy weather in Washington didn't help). But whenever her family told her to lose some weight, she'd go home and eat more.

Patty was 308 pounds when she joined L A Weight Loss in 2005, a number that shocked her. But she knew it was time to put the past behind, and start taking better care of herself. A little over a year later, Patty had lost 139 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today, instead of sneaking food and eating everything in sight, Patty is meticulous about her meal planning, even going so far as to bring her food scale to restaurants! She's gone back to one of her favorite pastimes, Irish clog dancing, met a wonderful man, and is now engaged!

What a GREAT story!!! Told ya' it was hanky-worthy! :-)

Here's Patty at 308 pounds. Imagine having to carry that weight around. Honestly!



No Photoshop or trickery here -- here's Patty at home in Washington, at 169 pounds!!! WOW!! Hard to believe it's the same person, but it is!



FAST FACTS

Name: Patty Cage
Hometown: Kelso, Washington
Age: 40

Starting weight: 308 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 169 pounds
Program start date: July 2005

Old eating philosophy: Overeating to the point of constant stomach aches.

New eating philosophy: She eats a healthy breakfast of fruit and dairy, and her lunches and dinners are packed with proteins and vegetables. If she's going to a function where she knows she won't find anything healthy to eat, she brings her own meal!

Biggest motivator: A family reunion earlier this year. Most people didn't even recognize her!

Best thing about losing weight: Being active again, shopping for feminine clothes, and being a lot happier with herself.

Best weight loss secret learned: You're never too old to start losing weight.

The dizzy spell that spawned a whirlwind of change for Alisha Dukes

Despite dealing with high blood pressure, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis at age 33, Alisha Dukes was indifferent to the dangers of weighing 264 pounds. Then one day she had a dizzy spell at work, which landed her in her doctor's office. His shocking diagnosis: lose weight now, or die of a stroke.

It turned out that was the motivation Alisha needed. She joined L A Weight Loss soon after. Now she's 120 pounds lighter (!) at 144 pounds, and is a source of inspiration to others around who are struggling with their weight. And she's encouraged many of them to lose weight on the L A Weight Loss program, too!

Alisha is now completely off her high blood pressure medication, and she doesn't get winded walking up the three flights of stairs to her apartment. How's that for a transformation?

You can read more about Alisha's life-changing wake-up call and subsequent weight loss in the October issue of Quick & Simple magazine.

Here's Alisha at her near-deadly 264 pounds:



And here she is now, at a much healthier 144 pounds! Looks like it's time to get some new pants! LOL!!!!! :)



FAST FACTS

Name: Alisha Dukes
Hometown: South East Marietta, Ga.
Age: 33

Starting weight: 264 pounds
Goal weight: 120 pounds
Current weight: 144 pounds
Program start date: December 8, 2004

Biggest motivator: She has pictures around her house of what she looked like at 264 pounds.

Old eating philosophy: Alisha usually skipped breakfast, chugged coffee for lunch, then consumed a huge dinner.

New eating philosophy: It's all about portion control. She still swings by her favorite fast food joints, but orders healthier options.

Best thing about losing weight: She had to have her work ID photo retaken, since nobody recognized the woman in the picture.

Best weight loss secret learned: Clothes are cheaper in smaller sizes!

Jane Blake: From "big legs" to the big time

I'm sure you've seen weight loss ads on TV that show the "before and after" photos and thought, "Yeah, right. That *can't* be the same person." Maybe some weight loss ads from some companies are airbrushed.

But in the case of L A Weight Loss, every person, story, and photo we feature in our advertising and on this blog is 100 percent authentic. Not only do we post actual, unretouched photos; we also post Podcasts of unrehearsed, unedited interviews (scroll down and through the archives to find them).

Take Jane Blake, for example. This San Diego mother of three was featured in a number of national advertisements for L A Weight Loss' Thinner by the Minute program.

She dropped 44 pounds in 16 weeks on the program. She was so successful, she was selected as our national spokesperson for the Thinner by the Minute program.

But things weren't always so rosey for Jane. At 187 pounds on her 40th birthday, her son innocently told her she had "big legs." That was the final push she needed to start shedding the weight she'd gained from three pregnancies over 10 years.

You can read more about Jane's amazing transformation, and how she did it through Thinner by the Minute in this press release we issued back in September.

And if you're a member of the press, you can freely interview Jane, or any of the women featured on this blog, anytime. Just write to me and I'll set it up.

Here's Jane at 187 pounds with her son:



Here she is 16 weeks later, at 143 pounds. No more "big legs" for this mom!



FAST FACTS

Name: Jane Blake
Age: 40

Starting weight: 187 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 143 pounds
Program start date: September 2005

Biggest motivator: She wanted to be the "cool" mom. Her weight kept her from getting involved with her kids' school activities.

Best thing about losing weight: She loves getting up every morning.

Old eating philosophy: Lots of red meat, chocolate, and sweets.

New eating philosophy: Fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat six to seven small meals a day, instead of three large ones.

A delicious way to lighten up the latkes

With Chanukah just a few days away (it starts Friday night), I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes for latkes, or potato pancakes, a customary food for this Jewish holiday.

Traditionally, latkes are deep-fried in vegetable oil, which isn't exactly the healthiest way to celebrate the festival of lights. ;-)

I've made a few creative substitutions that will cut the calories and fat, without sacrificing the wonderful potato flavor and texture Jewish families have enjoyed for generations.

"Lite" Chanukah Latkes

1 box Manischewitz potato pancake mix
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 1/4 cups cold water
cooking spray

In a medium bowl, combine the water and egg substitute, and mix until well-blended. Add the potato pancake mix. Mix well. Let batter thicken for 3 to 5 minutes .

Spray large skillet with cooking spray and place over high heat. Drop batter (1 tbsp. per pancake) on the hot skillet. Before flipping, spray the uncooked side with cooking spray. Flip and brown the other side.

Serve with fat-free sour cream or unsweetened applesauce.

Makes about 20 pancakes. Serving size: 2 pancakes.

Enjoy!!

25 years later, Lynette Pryor finally loses the baby weight

Lynette Pryor's weight yo-yo'd many times by the time she gave birth to her fourth child in 1989. In fact, over the course of her 16-year marriage, Lynette had gained 182 pounds, going from 135 pounds to just under 300 pounds.

After her divorce, Lynette knew she could no longer blame her weight gain on married life. She turned to L A Weight Loss, and over the next two years, dropped 164 pounds! She now weighs as much as she did on her wedding day. Talk about being able to fit into your wedding dress again ...

Now this teacher and mother of four is getting the most out of her new lifestyle. In addition to watching what she eats, she starts every day with Pilates and stability ball exercises, and uses an eliptical machine, treadmill, free weights, and stepper at the YMCA after work.

Here's a 299 pound Lynette teaching her 2nd graders:



Here she is at 135 pounds:



OMG! Does she look GREAT or WHAT???!!! What a transformation! All the single guys in Cookeville, Tenn., better watch out!

Congrats, Lynette! Keep it up!

FAST FACTS

Name: Lynette Pryor
Hometown: Cookeville, Tenn.
Age: 42

Starting weight: 299 pounds
Goal weight: 135 pounds
Current weight: 135 pounds
Program start date: April 22, 2004

Old eating philosophy: In her words, "really bad." She ate a lot of burgers, pizza, and fries.

New eating philosophy: Getting the right amount of proteins, carbs, and veggies every day.

Best thing about losing weight: Shopping for clothes that make her look like a cool, stylish mom.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stay faithful to the L A Weight Loss program to build good habits over time.

Bride gets a dream body for her dream wedding

Instead of saying "I do" during her wedding, Jamie Romine-Aschbacher might as well have said, "I did it!"

That's because she lost 120 pounds (yes, you read that right) over a year and a half to become the beautiful -- and slender! -- blushing bride to her one and only, Chuck Aschbacher, last April.

Jamie was 280 pounds when she joined L A Weight Loss in 2003, not as a client, but as an employee. Then she decided to try the program herself after her engagement.

She told me she was surprised at how easy it was to live her normal life (including nights out with her girlfriends) and still drop the weight.

You can read more about Jamie's amazing transformation from misery to marriage in Modern Bride's special Beauty and Fitness issue, which is out now.

Here's Jamie before she started on her L A Weight Loss plan diet, at 280 pounds (OMG!):



And look at the beautiful 160-pound bride:



Pretty amazing, isn't it? Talk about a happy ending!

FAST FACTS

Name: Jamie Romine-Aschbacher
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Age: 31

Starting weight: 280 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: September, 2003

Biggest motivator: Her wedding day, April 29, 2006.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to cross her legs!

Best weight loss secret learned: If you don't change your eating behavior, the weight will come back.

Carol Ann Parlato to Canada: Turn over a new leaf!

We distributed a press release today announcing the selection of Carol Ann Parlato as L A Weight Loss' Canadian spokesperson for the new Holiday Makeover Campaign.

A lot of work goes into the development of a press a release like this one. A big part is the interview with the key players. With the help of blogging, we can take the people from behind the scenes of a press release, and share the actual, unrehearsed interview that we used for our announcement today.

So as promised, we've turned our interview with Carol Ann into an unedited Podcast!

This is the complete interview that I conducted with my colleague Janelle. It has a lot more information than we could ever fit into a two-page news release. And once you hear her interview, I think you'll agree when I say that Carol Ann is *perfect* for the job of spokeswoman -- she's one peppy L A gal!



Before you listen to the interview, here's some background on Carol Ann. She went through a very tough divorce nine years ago. For a long time afterwards, she just stayed in her shell and ate lots of high-fat and high-calorie foods as a way to fill her emotional void.

As a representative for Lancome, Carol Ann coached and motivated other beauty consultants. But at the end of day, it was Carol Ann who needed a coach to help pull her out of her shell and stop her from binge eating.

Carol Ann became so disgusted with her appearance and unhappy with her life, she finally did something about it. She joined L A Weight Loss, and found the coaching she needed!

With the help of her counselors, Carol Ann lost 54 pounds in just five months, reaching her goal weight just before the start of 2006. Carol Ann celebrated the new year with a smokin' new body!

If you are with the media and would like to interview Carol Ann, drop me a line at Jackie@GregoryFCA.com, or call me at 610-642-8253, ext. 138.

If you're a visitor to the blog, post a comment if you would like to get in touch with Carol Ann, or share your thoughts and feelings about her story.

Here's a shot of Carol Ann before she started her diet, at 182 pounds:



Here she is today, looking smart at 128 pounds. Congrats, Carol Ann!



FAST FACTS

Name: Carol Ann Parlato
Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
Age: 53
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 182 pounds
Goal weight: 128 pounds
Current weight: 128 pounds
Program start date: August 2005

Biggest motivator: Each day discovering a little extra bounce in her step.

Biggest obstacle: Getting over the emotional void.

Old eating philosophy: Extra-large portions and extra snacking after supper.

New eating philosophy: Eating foods from each food group, and balancing proteins with carbs.

Best thing about of losing weight: Being able to inspire others to lose weight and find happiness.

Best weight loss secret learned: Be patient!

Debbie McKay transforms right before our eyes

Our final new blogger is Debbie McKay. With a husband and five kids under her watch, Debbie ballooned to 242 pounds before joining L A Weight Loss in July. With the help of her personal counselor, Debbie has already shed 38 pounds (!), but she's not done yet. She still needs to lose 22 more to hit her goal weight of 148 pounds.

Here's Debbie before:



And we can't wait to see her "after" photo!

In the meantime, listen to her talk to JackieZ and me about what it was like to be 242 pounds, and how she balances her family, career, and weight loss while still shedding pounds.

And don't forget to read about our other new bloggers Dana Shocaroff and Carolina Yepez!

Carolina Yepez reveals her weight loss ups and downs

Meet our next new blogger, Carolina Yepez, who started L A Weight Loss in May. Back then she weighed 206 pounds, and is already 20 pounds towards her goal weight of 150 pounds. Way to go, Carolina!

Here she is minus those 20 pounds. We look forward to seeing less and less of Carolina in the future :)




















JackieZ and I sat down with Carolina to talk about her struggles with weight loss, and how she's finally taking control of her body and life.

You can also meet our other new bloggers Dana Shocaroff and Debbie McKay.

Dana Shocaroff shares her weight loss with the world

We've got three new bloggers coming on board, and they're all actual L A Weight Loss Clients who'll be sharing their weight-loss journey with you over the next few months.

First up is Dana Shocaroff, who was 264 pounds when she joined L A Weight Loss last March. She's already lost an incredible 60 pounds, with just 40 more to go before reaching her goal weight!!

Here she is, just starting out on the program.



Listen as Jackie Z and I talk to her about life before L A Weight Loss, where she is now, and what she hopes for the future.



Also check out our other new contributors Carolina Yepez and Debbie McKay.

The skinny on trans fats

Trans fats have been in the news a lot lately, from Arby's recent announcement that they're eliminating this man-made fat from their fries, to today's huge news that the New York Health Board has banned them from the New York City restaurants.

As luck would have it, last week USA Today covered the Arby's announcement, motivating JackieZ and I to interview Dr. Lyles, medical director for L A Weight Loss Centers, about this controversial artificial fat.

We discussed why it's so bad, how people can decipher whether or not it's in the foods they eat, and more. When the news broke today, we rushed to get a Podcast of our interview online. I hope you enjoy it and, most important, find it informative and useful!

Meet our three new contributing bloggers

As you know, I'm one of the writers working on the publicity team for L A Weight Loss. You've probably heard my voice on a few of our podcasts.

In addition to bringing you interviews and the blog's amazing before-and-after stories, I've also been working with JackieZ to find real L A Weight Loss clients who are willing to share their weight-loss journeys in their own words.

I'm excited to report that we have our first three L A Weight Loss clients who have stepped up to the challenge:

* Dana Shocaroff, from San Diego, Calif., who joined L A Weight Loss in March 2006.

* Debbie McKay, from Milwaukee, Wis., who joined in July 2006.

* Carolina Yepez, from Oceanside, Calif., who joined in May 2006.

I'm going to post 'before' photos and initial Podcasts with each of them shortly. Then I'll be helping them to post their progress reports here. We're hoping that, once they get the hang of it, they'll be posting regularly, right from their own PCs.

We'll also be checking in with them every now and then to get their latest photos, and produce Podcasts of their story updates.

We're hoping all of this will give readers unprecedented insight into how the L A Weight Loss program actually works, and what *really* goes on between those before and after photographs are taken.

It certainly doesn't happen overnight, and the men and women who stick to their program learn a lot in the months that pass and, as such, have a lot they can share with you!

In the meantime, if you're currently on the L A Weight Loss program (or thinking about joining!) and want to share your story on the blog, please feel free to contact me at Blogger@MyLAWeightLossDiary.com.

We'd love to feature you and your story, as long as you're willing to make the commitment to post regularly, and let us follow you from start to goal weight (and maybe even beyond).

Don't go holiday grocery shopping without these recipes

Wait! Stop the presses, and the shopping carts!!! Don't go food shopping for your holiday dinners and get-togethers until you listen to my Podcast with Jennifer Simmons, L A Weight Loss Centers' director of nutrition services.

We discuss healthy holiday recipes and snacking alternatives that can help you stick to your L A Weight Loss plan during the holiday feast-ivities! Even if you're not on the L A Weight Loss plan, Jennifer's healthy eating ideas will help you fend off the extra pounds this holiday season.

Three quarts of water a day makes the weight go away

Kristy Robb used food as therapy her whole life, indulging in cake, ice cream, and other sweets whenever she felt blue. Soon, however, her childhood chubbiness turned into adult obesity. She was always short of breath, and faced chronic pain.

On a trip to Yellowstone National Park, she could barely keep up on the 2-mile trail, slowing down the entire group. And at only age 44, she was tipping the scales at 309 lbs. Kristy knew she had to make a change, or face deadly consequences.

Kristy tried losing weight on her own, but ultimately joined L A Weight Loss for the extra help. Meeting with her counselor once a week, and writing in her food diary, kept her accountable for all her meal choices.

Plus, she loved how easy it was to prepare and eat normal foods, while still indulging her occasional sweet tooth. The amazing part is that Kristy hit her goal weight of 150 lbs. after only one year! Yellowstone, here she comes!

What a difference a year makes. Here she is in 2004 at 309 lbs.:



And in 2005, at a healthy 150 lbs.



YOWZA!

FAST FACTS

Name: Kristy Robb
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Age: 45

Starting weight: 309 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 142 pounds
Program start date: September 2004

Favorite foods: Chocolate, peanut butter, ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Fear of obesity’s health issues, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and death.

Biggest obstacle: Emotional eating.

Old eating philosophy: Food was a comfort zone, which led to overeating and poor portion control.

New eating philosophy: Eat normal foods and the occasional treat at home. Get everything your body needs from the different food groups. And don't forget about portion control.

Best thing about losing weight: It changed the way she thinks and feels about food, and gave her a new life as a slender, healthy person.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day (she drinks 3 quarts).

Karen Lara's weight-loss secret: real food

Like so many of the L A Weight Loss clients I talk to, the shocking truth hit Karen Lara in a store dressing room when she couldn't fit into any of the size 28 clothes she tried on.

That's when Karen turned to L A Weight Loss, which she heard about from her best friend who had successfully lost weight on the program. Two years later, Karen has lost 158 pounds -- five pounds over her goal and more than half her original body weight!

Now Karen gets to truly enjoy her job as a child-care provider. She can sit on the floor to do activities and run around with them all day, simple things she couldn't do carrying around the extra weight. I'm sure those kids are just as thankful for the new Karen as her family and friends are!

Here's Karen at 298 pounds:



And here she is now at a slim 143 pounds. Wow!!



Name: Karen Lara
Hometown: Winters, Texas
Age: 44

Starting weight: 298 lbs.
Goal weight: 148 lbs.
Current weight: 143 lbs.
Program start date: July 2004

Favorite food: Anything Mexican.

Biggest motivator: Her husband David and her two boys, David and Anthony.

Best thing about of losing weight: Buying all new clothes!

Best weight-loss secret learned: That it's possible to lose weight while still eating "real" food.

Melinda Martin finally wins lifelong weight battle

Melinda struggled with her weight her whole life. But with her mother’s sudden death in 2003, Melinda got the wakeup call to stop wasting her life trapped in an unhealthy body.

She heard about L A Weight Loss through the local country radio station, and stopped in for a free consultation. Within one meeting, she was hooked. Melinda started her weight loss campaign in January ’05 at a scale-tipping 337 pounds, and lost HALF her size by the following year!

She celebrated by getting a beautiful new hairstyle (the first in years) that brought out her new svelte features. Her family was so proud of her accomplishment that they got a new family portrait right away. Say cheese, Melinda. Those flashbulbs will be popping for a long time to come!

Here's Melinda before:

And here she is now, with her new hairstyle to match her new figure:

FAST FACTS

Name: Melinda Martin
Hometown: Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.
Age: 45

Starting weight: 337 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 164 pounds
Program start date: January 2005

Favorite foods: Steak, shrimp, and chicken

Biggest temptation: Chocolate

Biggest motivator: Her husband and her family

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming the self-consciousness that comes with being overweight. Now she's no longer worried about what other people think.

Best thing about losing weight: Having more energy and a new look.

Best weight loss secret learned: The closer you get to your goal, the harder the weight loss can become.

Angela Williams loses half her size, discovers a whole new person

Angela Williams is a true weight loss super star. She lost over HALF her weight (!), and was featured in People Magazine’s ‘Half Their Size’ feature in May.

Angela was overweight from a young age. In fifth grade she was already 180 pounds. She was constantly teased, and couldn’t cross her legs. As she got older, Angela only got bigger, and developed arthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and was borderline diabetic.

Her wake-up call came when her aunt died of heart disease. Angela knew she had to stop with the excuses and start losing weight. She joined L A Weight Loss, cut out the fast food and snacks, and later started walking to help work the weight off.

In two years, Angela was a new woman. She can finally wear skirts and capris, and feels 100 percent happier and more confident!

Here's Angela at nearly 400 pounds:



And look at her now!! WOW!!! Awesome job, Angela!

FAST FACTS

Name: Angela Williams
Hometown: Alexander, La.
Age: 27
Height: 5 ft. 5 in.

Starting weight: 367 pounds
Goal weight: 190 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Program start date: April 7, 2004

Favorite foods: Chicken breasts and low-fat cheese.

Biggest temptations: Cap’n Crunch and fast food.

Best thing about of losing weight: Feeling great, and knowing she’ll live longer.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stick to the L A Weight Loss plan!!!

Julianne Cornelius goes from overweight to “Jessica Simpson”

Julianne Cornelius can’t easily forget what life was like when she was a size 16 and weighed 185 pounds. Not only was she physically and emotionally exhausted, she was also jealous of other women who were thinner.

Things were so bad, she didn’t even want her husband to see her naked. Julianne’s weight issues were lifelong, and she wasn’t the only one who suffered -- her unhappiness hurt her entire family.

Julianne, age 42, says that it didn’t come down to willpower but to healthy choices. She tried all sorts of diets without success before starting with L A Weight Loss in Texas.

She tells everyone about her weight loss secret, and it’s contagious -- more than 40 of her friends and relatives are also slimming down. She been their inspiration. Now that’s what I call good karma!

Here's Julianne at 185 pounds:



And with her new, eye-popping 133-pound figure! AMAZING!! OMG!!!

Tiring out a two-year-old is child’s play for Tanya Herranz

Tanya Herranz was 24 when her doctor told her she was at high risk for a heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

She struggled with her weight for years, and was nearly incapacitated following a back injury. During this time, she gained even more weight since even walking was too painful. Tanya gave up hope of ever losing weight.

At the time of her doctor’s warning, Tanya weighed 355 pounds and was a size 28. She knew losing weight was the answer, and turned to a place that could support her with one-on-one counseling. She joined L A Weight Loss, and in the first two months, Tanya lost 25 pounds!

Tanya told me that, before losing 160 pounds, she would be out of breath just climbing a flight of stairs. Now she’s able to play with her 2-year-old for hours at their home in Deforest, Wis. The toddler has non-stop energy, and now, so does Tanya.

Here's Tanya at an agonizing 355 pounds:

Yep, this is really her now!! What a transformation, huh??

How Nicole Ingram swapped potato chips for books

Night shifts, graduate school, and job dissatisfaction packed on pounds for Nicole Ingram -- 60 of them, to be exact. She couldn’t look at herself in photos anymore. And with her job hunt coming up, she had to find size 18 suits ... and those didn’t even fit right.

Then her friend recommended L A Weight Loss, and Nicole signed right up. Healthy eating choices and regular exercise made all the difference, as Nicole dropped 66 pounds and 29 inches in under a year! Now, for the first time in her life, she is wearing a size 4/6.

The best part: Nicole inspired two friends to join the program, and motivated even more of her friends to incorporate healthy food and fitness into their routines. Keep spreading the word, Nicole!

Here's Nicole at an unhappy 213 pounds:



Now, well, 'nuff said, right?



FAST FACTS

Name: Nicole Ingram
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Age: 29

Starting weight: 213 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds
Program start date: January 2005

Biggest motivator: Looking and feeling her best for her job hunt.

Biggest obstacle: Late-night snacking during study hours.

Old eating philosophy: Lived out of vending machines.

New eating philosophy: Carries a cooler filled with lean protein, fruits, and veggies.

Best thing about of losing weight: Strolling the beach in a bikini for the first time!

Best weight loss secret learned: Exercise, exercise, exercise.

Nashville news producer reports: "I lost over 100 lbs.!"

For Faith Seifuddin, her dream career has been broadcast journalism. But three years ago, at 280 pounds, she knew her weight would be the one thing that would spoil her dream.

Faith always tried, but never followed through or challenged herself to lose her ideal amount of weight. Then she and her mother agreed it was time to give L A Weight Loss a shot.

While on L A Weight Loss, Faith changed all her eating habits and incorporated them into a healthy lifestyle. She lost 103 pounds!

I’m also excited to report that she was able to follow her dream after having lost the weight. Faith now works at WKRN News 2 in Nashville, and is loving it!

Now she even has her family turned on to L A Weight Loss, and is hoping to inspire more young people to do what it takes to follow their dreams!

Before, just a dreamer at 280 pounds:



Now, a successful career woman at 177 pounds! Way to go Faith!



FAST FACTS:

Name: Faith Seifuddin
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Age: 24

Height: 5 ft. 7 in.
Starting weight: 280
Current weight: 177
Program start date: July 2003

Biggest motivator: Seeing results.

Biggest obstacle: Letting food control her.

Best thing about of losing weight: Shopping and going out with friends.

Best weight-loss secret learned: Mentally committing yourself to changing your life.