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.