Mother of seven drops five dress sizes

I just got a copy of Quick and Simple’s February 6th issue, and was *thrilled* to see Lexine Saunders' story featured on page 6.

Be sure to pick up a copy of this great magazine, and read all about how Lexine dropped 54 pounds on the L A Weight Loss program. Here's my brief version of her story.

At 43 years old, Lexine main priority was taking care of her seven children. But putting herself last meant putting her health last, too.

When she hit 204 pounds, her husband said her weight was keeping her from the thing she loved most: fun activities and games with her kids.

That very day, Lexine drove herself to the L A Weight Loss center in Rexburg, Idaho, looking for help. It was there she learned how to kick her "bad" food habits (such as eating old leftovers, which don't have sufficient vitamins and nutrients).

Five months later, Lexine had lost 54 pounds, and was down five dress sizes! At a slimming 150 pounds and size 8, Lexine’s no longer missing out on her kids.

She’s now hiking, biking, and swimming with them! And last summer, she helped her husband and kids build a family cabin.

Here she is at 204 pounds:



And, here she is today at a beautiful 150 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Lexine Saunders
Hometown: Rexburg, Idaho
Age: 44
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 204 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds

Program start date: March 1, 2005

Favorite L A Weight Loss recipe: Chicken casserole.

Biggest temptation: Carbs.

Biggest motivator: Her seven children.

Biggest obstacle: Learning to put herself first.

Old eating philosophy: Week-old leftovers and lots of carbs.

New eating philosophy: Homemade meals every day made with fresh veggies from her garden.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the energy to play with her kids.

Best weight loss secret learned: Gardening burns 350 calories an hour!

Barry Ojers gets a new body -- and a new car!

The turning point for Barry Ojers came when he was in the waiting room of a gastric bypass clinic. He was already worried about the surgery's risks. Then he looked around and realized that, at 356 pounds, he was the smallest one in the room -- and the only one not dependent on oxygen or other breathing equipment.

When he talked to his doctor about canceling the surgery, he got another reality check: His doctor said it didn't matter either way. The risks of dying from the surgery were the same as those stemming from his continued obesity.

Barry decided to take his chances, and canceled the surgery. Then he found out that his brother-in-law, age 39, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Barry felt helpless, and kept wishing there was a way they could switch bodies. That's when it hit him. His brother-in-law had no way to fix his disease, but Barry had a healthy body that he was slowly destroying.

Barry turned to L A Weight Loss. After he lost seven pounds in the first week, he decided to put all of his effort into sticking with the plan established by his personal counselor. He cut out sweets and desserts, and started walking 45 minutes a day, which eventually turned into running.

Now, seven months later, Barry's dropped 108 pounds! He's active with his wife and kids (he ran a 5k at his kids' school), and isn't embarrassed to take off his shirt at the beach. But the biggest change is his new ride: Barry rewarded himself with a brand new sports car to complete his transformation!

Here's Barry before, sputtering out at 356 pounds:



Here he is after, with a high-performance car to match his energetic 248-pound body. Now he can take off on the road -- and on his waistline!



FAST FACTS

Name: Barry Ojers
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Age: 44
Height: 6'1"

Starting weight: 356 pounds
Current weight: 248 pounds
Program start date: July 2006

Biggest temptation: Sweets and desserts.

Biggest motivator: Avoiding gastric bypass surgery.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past people's perceptions. When Barry started running, younger guys on the street would yell, "Give it up, fatso!" He eventually bought an iPod to use when running, so he could drown out teasing or nasty remarks.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever he wanted, without much thought.

New eating philosophy: Proper portion sizes and the right balance of proteins, carbs, fiber, fruits, and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: There's less of an effort to do everyday things, like putting on his socks and tying his shoes.

Best weight loss secret learned: The L A Weight Loss plan is simple. Stick with it and exercise, and the weight will come off.

One-way ticket to fighting obesity

Debbie Wilkerson wanted to celebrate her son's 21st birthday in Las Vegas. The problem: At 390 pounds she barely fit into an airplane seat. The idea of walking the casinos -- let alone the Strip -- was daunting to say the least.

When she and her husband considered buying *an extra seat* on the plane for Debbie, she knew it was time to make a serious change.

With a year left until the big trip, Debbie joined L A Weight Loss, a "momentous decision" she describes in a letter she sent to me. In 13 months, she dropped 130 pounds (!!), which was enough for a comfortable cross-country flight (in *one* seat) from Tennessee to Nevada.

That was only the tip of the iceberg. As she continued to shed pounds, she also shed her old ways. When she was at her heaviest, she could barely walk without losing her breath. She bought size 6X clothes from a catalog. When she got into the car, she had to tilt the steering wheel back to slide into the seat, and could hardly buckle the seatbelt.

Now, she sees the world in a new light. Little things like crossing her legs, sitting Indian-style on the floor, and even cleaning her house are new experiences for Debbie.

She went to her first college football game in 16 years. She used to avoid them because of the hills, and the long walk to the stadium.

Today Debbie is 75 pounds from her goal weight of 190 -- but she's already a winner in my book! We'll be sure to update you on her progress as she keeps slimming down.

Here's Debbie before, at 390 pounds:



And here she is at 260 pounds, more than half way to her goal weight. Keep it up, Debbie! You REALLY look GREAT!



FAST FACTS

Name: Debbie Wilkerson
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Age: 49

Starting weight: 390 pounds
Goal weight: 195 pounds
Current weight: 260 pounds

Program start date: September 2005

Biggest temptations: French fries, corn muffins, and chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Fitting into clothes she can buy at the mall.

Biggest obstacle: Making smart lunch choices at work. Her office has lunch brought in every day, and it's often not the healthiest selection.

Old eating philosophy: Never drank water, never read food labels, never tried low-fat foods. A typical breakfast was Cheetos, crackers, and a Dr. Pepper.

New eating philosophy: She buys everything fresh, drinks only water, and makes sure she balances out her day with the right amount of proteins, carbs, and starches.

Best thing about losing weight: She has so much energy now, her husband has to tell her to sit down!

Best weight loss secret learned: That it's possible to go grocery shopping AND out to dinner without feeling like you're on a diet.

Dr. Lyles on the importance of "thyroid awareness"

I recently took some time to talk with Dr. Lyles about Thyroid Awareness Month, which kicked off this month. Hear what he has to say about this little understood gland, how it can cause a rollercoaster shift in people's body weight, and the difference between an overactive and underactive thyroid.

Former Miss Tennessee gets back to pageant weight

When Deby Gooch was crowned Miss Tennessee in 1975, she was a physically fit size 6. She went on to the Miss America pageant, where she became a top 10 finalist and won the talent competition.

After years of singing and entertaining (she did the USO tour four times), Deby got married, and settled down to start a family. Over the next 25 years, Deby slowly put her family's needs before hers, and stopped exercising and eating right.

Fast food and chips replaced the healthy foods she once ate on the pageant circuit. She became ashamed of the body she used to show off on stage. She was even too embarrassed to attend the 2005 Miss Tennessee reunion.

Deby's breaking point came when she hit 227 pounds, and started buying size 20 clothes. She knew diabetes ran in both sides of her family. And she was starting to have foot and back problems from carrying around the extra weight.

Then her son Joey, a medical student, told her he was concerned she wouldn't be around to play with her grandchildren.

About that time, she saw some commercials for a new L A Weight Loss center that had just opened in Jackson, Tenn. Deby checked it out. When she walked in the door, she knew she made the right choice.

Amanda Sledge, her personal counselor, helped her design a meal plan that would fit Deby's lifestyle. Amanda also encouraged her to keep going to reach her goal of 145 pounds.

Deby dropped two pounds a week. She's now 153 pounds, and a size 6/8 -- the same size she wore on stage 32 years ago! Plus, she's learned to put her health first. She walks the treadmill, lifts free weights, and does stomach exercises every day.

And she's now planning to go to the 2007 Miss Tennessee reunion!

That's Deby on the left, at 227 pounds:



And Deby after at 153 pounds. Just call her Miss L A Weight Loss!



FAST FACTS

Name: Deby Gooch
Hometown: Humboldt, Tenn.
Age: 54

Starting weight: 227 pounds
Goal weight: 145 pounds
Current weight: 153 pounds
Program start date: April 2006

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy so she could be around to see and play with her grandkids.

Biggest obstacle: Learning to put herself first.

Old eating philosophy: Any kind of junk food, especially hamburgers, French fries, chips, and candy.

New eating philosophy: She still eats hamburgers, but she doesn't eat the whole bun, and she skips the fries. She also tries to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into her day.

Best thing about losing weight: Learning how to eat, what to eat, and how much.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don't start the program unless you know in your heart that you can do it.

North Carolina nurse: I needed to lose weight, STAT!

Every day as an endoscopy nurse in Cary, N.C., Heidi Ludwick helps people live a healthy and active lifestyle. But at 197 pounds, she had trouble transferring that knowledge to her own life.

And as a single mother raising a teenage boy, Heidi learned early on that her needs took a back seat to her career and raising a family.

That all changed in 2005 when she saw photos of herself from a vacation in St. Martin. She started to cry as she saw how overweight she'd become. She decided then and there to make a change.

As Heidi thought about how to go about losing the weight, she remembered some words of wisdom that her grandmother, who recently passed away, had shared: "Sometimes it's important to spend money on yourself to become a better mother."

Armed with that advice and some money her grandmother left to her, Heidi joined L A Weight Loss. That was in June of 2005. Her investment quickly started generating returns, with Heidi dropping two to three pounds a week from the get-go.

Seeing the weight come off had an immediate effect on Heidi. At work, she bolstered her credibility when educating patients on how to improve their health. After hours, she became more confident in the dating world, walking into social situations with cool assurance. At home, she convinced her 15-year-old to cut the soda and junk food from his diet.

Heidi dropped 49 pounds in seven months, going from a size 20 to size 10. Having that extra weight off of her 5-foot-2-inch frame has given her the energy to get moving again. She runs, works out at the local YMCA, and is eager to try new ways to stay active.

Here's Heidi sweating on the beach at 197 pounds:



Va-va-va voom! This single mom won't be on the market much longer in her new 148-pound body! How's THAT for a liberated new woman?



FAST FACTS

Name: Heidi Ludwick
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
Age: 35

Starting weight: 197 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight:148 pounds
Program start date: June 2005

Biggest temptation: Bread and pasta.

Biggest motivator: Gaining the confidence to succeed as nurse -- and tackle the dating world!

Old eating philosophy: Too many starches, and too much late-night snacking.

New eating philosophy: Eating the right kinds of bread and pasta in moderation, and making smart choices when eating out.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better about herself, physically and emotionally.

Best weight loss secret learned: You have to love yourself at your current weight before you can make a change.

Not one, but TWO hurricanes bring winds of change to Patti Och

It was a one-two punch that changed Patti Och's life. On Aug. 24, 2004, Hurricane Frances swept through her Florida hometown. Fortunately, she and her husband were able to stay in their home as they cleaned up the damage.

But their luck ran out three weeks later on Sept. 13th, when the wind and rain of Hurricane Jeanne caused their roof to cave in. Their possessions lost, Patti and her husband moved into an RV in their front yard.

This 'temporary shelter' became their home for a year. And the longer they lived there, the harder it became for Patti to cook proper meals on the RV's tiny stove. Pair that with the stress of losing and rebuilding her home, and Patti herself leaning on junk food (such as donuts) to get her through the days.

By the time she was finally able to move out of the RV and back into her house, she had put on 37 pounds. This was hard for Patti to handle, having always been a slender, active person. She just couldn't get used to being overweight, and the change taxed her physically and emotionally.

Then one morning she caught a newspaper ad for L A Weight Loss. That triggered a memory about a woman from her church who told her she lost weight on the program. Patti decided to give it a try.

She was quickly sold on the idea of learning how to eat the regular foods she loved, instead of swearing them off entirely. That was over a year ago. Today, Patti is still at her goal weight of 114 pounds -- the same weight she was in high school!

And now that her life -- and home!-- is back on track, Patti can focus on taking care of herself so she doesn't gain back the weight she worked to lose. She focuses on eating healthy foods, and incorporates some exercise into her life.

She walks on the treadmill, swims, gardens, and takes walks and hikes with her husband. Quite a journey!

Here's Patti before, at 151 pounds:



And after, at a more comfortable 114 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Patti Och
Hometown: Florida
Age: 64

Starting weight: 151 pounds
Goal weight: 114 pounds
Current weight: 114 pounds
Program start date: September 2005

Biggest motivator: Feeling better about herself. Gaining the extra weight took an emotional toll on Patti.

Old eating philosophy: Whatever was easiest to prepare in her tiny RV kitchen.

New eating philosophy: Makes conscious choices about what goes into her body. She eats lots of fruits and vegetables, avoids the junk food aisles at the supermarket, and strives to eat from the five basic food groups every day. She also learned how to make simple substitutions, like using whole wheat flour instead of white, and soy milk instead of regular.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling free to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you focus on eating foods that are good for you, it will become a natural part of your lifestyle.

Melissa Kellogg chronicles her yo-yo-dieting

Sometimes the stories I hear are so raw and real, they're best expressed by the storyteller. That's why I'm sharing a letter written by Melissa Kellogg, and e-mailed to me by Cheryl LeMar, manager of the L A Weight Loss Center in Evansville, Ind.

Melissa joined L A Weight Loss in the summer of 2005. This is her actual e-mail, in her own words, untouched by me. My only additions are Melissa's before and after photos, and Fast Facts. (Usually I post a PDF of the original letter, but all I have this time around is the e-mail text.)



Hi Cheryl,

I was tall and thin as a young girl, but because I was taller than the rest of my classmates, I always felt fat even though I wasn't. I was always self-conscious about being "big". After I married and had three children, I gradually added the pounds. I eventually lost those pounds, got divorced and gained again. Everytime I had a major life change, I would gain weight. As I got older, I married again and got heavy, then lost the weight again and divorced. I vowed never again for both, but guess what. I got married again, moved from the Evansville area and gained weight. This time I married my best friend and soulmate. It was a fairy tale romance and meeting. We met at my daughter's and son-in-law's wedding. He was my son-in-law's uncle. The nicest man you would ever want to meet. I lived in Evansville and he lived in Massachusetts. We had a long distance romance and married 8 months later. There were adjustments to the marriage-moving again, dealing with 2 step-children and teen-agers at that. . You guessed it, I again gained weight. Then lost some.

I felt like I was the luckiest person in the world. He was truly the love of my life. He loved life, was intelligent, fun and easy-going. Best of all, he loved to dance-one of my passions.

This fairy tale did not have a happy ending. He died suddenly of a heart attack on May 14, 1999 just 3 years after we met. I was devastated. I had a wonderful support group from the church, but I consoled myself with food. I again gained the weight. After my husband's passing, I had so many life changing decisions to make. Should I stay in Mass and stay in the job I loved or move back to Indiana to be closer to my children and grandchildren. I decided on the latter. I moved back in May of 2000 to Ft. Wayne, In. I transferred with my company. I bought a house and was just getting settled. But I was driving to Evansville every 2 weeks to see my children and grandson. Just a couple of months later, I was told my job was being eliminated. AGAIN, another major life change. I moved temporarily to Evansville and stayed with my daughter until I could decide if I wanted to hunt for work in Ft. Wayne or move back to Evansville. I moved. I got a new job, new house and was settled in Evansville again. However, the weight was still there. I would drop a few pounds and gain a few more. After 5 years of being heavy, I made a decision to try LA Weight Loss. I had decided to do this so I could be around to see my grandchildren grow up and to be able to enjoy doing things with them.
On June 1, 2005, I started the program and lost almost 90lbs by the end of January 2006. I am now at 109 lbs lost and feel incredible. I ran the other day for the first time in years. I am able to keep up with the grandkids and have such fun taking them to the park or playing putt- putt, baseball or bowling. I feel like a new woman and I am 55 years young. I say young because I haven't felt this young in years. With all the life changes and the weight, I felt much older than my years. I just recently went to Florida and went out on a wave runner (first time ever). The courage to do this is because I feel so self-confident.

The best part is I have bought all new clothes and I am dancing again. LA Weight Loss is wonderful. It has taught me how to eat right. I am so thrilled that I made that decision last year.

Melissa Kellogg



Here's Melissa before, at 271 pounds:



Look at her now! She looks AMAZING at 162 pounds!!



FAST FACTS

Name: Melissa Kellogg
Hometown: Evansville, Ind.
Age: 55

Starting weight: 271 pounds
Goal weight: 221 pounds
Current weight: 162 pounds
Program start date: June 1, 2005

Biggest temptation: Ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Ending the cycle of yo-yo dieting.

Old eating philosophy: Lots of sweets.

New eating philosophy: More lean meat proteins like chicken and fish.

Best thing about losing weight: Getting back to the things she enjoys, like country line dancing and long walks by the riverfront.

Best weight loss secret learned: Exercise is the key to losing weight and boosting your confidence.

Walking farm and wide

I just got off the phone with Greg Thompson, the Wisconsin farmer we've been following from his high of 508 pounds to his current weight of 301. He tells me he's now walking six miles every day at a pace of 3.8 mph. Whew! When he said he has a lot of "get up and go," he wasn't kidding!

508 lb. farmer plows toward weight loss goal

Today Greg Thompson is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the day he joined L A Weight Loss, and began a journey that led to a new body and a new life.

You can listen to his story here.



Here's the scoop: Greg is down to 301 pounds from his starting weight of 508 pounds (!!!). He says he feels like a new man. He no longer has high blood pressure or headaches, and is more physically active.

But one year ago, Greg wasn't sure he'd even be alive today. Greg owns Dun-Bar Farms, his family's farm in Northwestern Wisconsin. At 508 pounds, he struggled to operate equipment, and climb in and out of the tractor.

He had virtually no energy to perform simple daily tasks, and could walk only short distances before gasping for air. Greg suffered chest pains, high blood pressure, and head aches.

Sometimes when he went grocery shopping, he couldn't even sum up the strength to get out of of truck and walk into the store! He'd hit the fast food drive-thru instead, and when he got home, he'd indulge in chocolates and sweets—his biggest temptations.

Greg says he was slowly killing himself. Every night he went to bed fearing he wouldn't wake up in the morning.

His saving grace came over the radio waves on his favorite music station, Moose Country 106.7. DJ Jay Moore was losing weight on the L A Weight Loss program, and talked about his experience every day. Jay's success inspired Greg, and he finally made a phone call to the Eau Claire, Wis., L A Weight Loss center.

Now, down over 200 pounds, Greg is pulling calves, mowing lawns, and cutting wood with relative ease.

When he goes grocery shopping, he parks in the furtherest parking spot. He avoids the candy aisle and goes straight for the fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, chicken, turkey, and fish that his counselor, Christina, recommends.

Last June, Greg rewarded himself with a trip to Montana to visit his sister. He's planning another "reward trip" to Montana again when he reaches his goal weight of 208 pounds. And we'll be sure to post a follow-up when he gets there.

You're on the right track, Greg! Keep going, you're almost there!

Here's Greg one year ago, at 508 pounds:



Greg now, at 301 pounds. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



FAST FACTS

Name: Greg Thompson
Hometown: Ridgeland, Wis.
Age: 43

Starting weight: 508 pounds
Goal weight: 208 pounds
Current weight: 301 pounds
Program start date: Jan. 9, 2006

Biggest temptation: Russell Stover chocolates.

Biggest motivator: Christina, his personal L A Weight Loss counselor at the Eau Claire, Wis., center.

Biggest obstacle: Finding a weight loss plan that worked for him.

Old eating philosophy: Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast, McDonald's for lunch, and pizza for dinner.

New eating philosophy: Fresh fruit and toast for breakfast; low-fat dairy, salad, and grilled chicken or cod for lunch and dinner.

Best thing about losing weight: Having a lot of get-up-and-go makes moving around and working on the farm a hundred times easier.

Best weight loss secret learned: Keep a food diary. Without one, you quickly forget what you eat and end up overindulging.

Starbucks joins the march against trans fats

Score one more for the health-conscious. Starbucks announced that they're phasing out trans fats from their pastries.

The coffee giant joins the growing list of companies and cities (such as Arby's, Taco Bell, and KFC) who have also vowed to eliminate trans fats from their menus.

This is great news, and we'll continue to follow the "death of trans fats" story for you. In the meantime, you can listen to the chat JackieZ and I had last month with Dr. Lyles that unlocks the mystery behind this controversial artificial fat.

For Indiana's Bobbi Fields, new habits die hard

Talk about a monkey on your back. That's what Bobbi Fields' weight problem was like, literally. Carrying 236 pounds put a lot of stress on her back, and led to surgery in 2000.

After the operation, she still had back problems (!), and bad charlie horses in her legs. Doctors told Bobbi she had to lose weight. But her cravings for chocolate and sweets always won out.

Then she tried L A Weight Loss. She says the L A Weight Loss program, and her counselor, Amy Kazwell, gave her the support and guidance she needed to lose 104 pounds.

That was four years ago. Today, Bobbi still uses the lessons she learned from L A Weight Loss to eat properly, pay attention to her portions and nutrients, and keep the weight off.

Today Bobbi's no longer the shy and quiet person who disliked shopping and wearing bathing suits. She's outgoing and enthusiatic about life. She loves taking her kids to amusement parks, knowing she won't have a problem fitting into seats.

Bobbi feels like a better mom and a better person, and owes it all to believing in herself. Way to go, Bobbi!

Here's Bobbi before, at 236 pounds:



And the beautiful 132-pound Bobbi now! AMAZING! Doesn't she look 10 years younger??



FAST FACTS

Name: Bobbi Fields
Hometown: Montgomery, Ind.
Age: 36

Starting weight: 236 pounds
Goal weight: 132 pounds
Current weight: 132 pounds
Program start date: January 2002

Favorite food: Fruit.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Gaining more energy as the weight came off.

Old eating philosophy: Chocolate, candy, and sweets.

New eating philosophy: Correct portions of meats, fruits, and veggies.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to bounce out of bed at 5 a.m., ready to take on the day.

Best weight loss secret learned: It's all about attitude. If you believe you can't lose weight, you won't. But if you believe you can, you'll do it!

A helping hand for your New Year's resolution

Every January, millions of Americans go on a diet, determined to christen the new year with an aggressive weight loss effort. They try to eat right, maybe join a gym, or start jogging every day.

A few pounds come off (mostly water, it turns out). By February they're back to their old eating habits, and up to their old weight. There's always next year, right?

But there are proven ways to help you keep your New Year’s resolution until NEXT New Year's. In December, Marnie, JackieZ, and I talked about how anyone can put together a safe and healthy weight loss program for the new year. Here's what I think is a very informative podcast that resulted from that discussion.



In addition to the podcast, here are some proven techniques to help you make 2007 your slimmest year ever.

1. Eat a well-balanced breakfast. This helps you avoid pre-lunch hunger by stabilizing your blood sugar levels all morning long. Whole wheat light toast and poached eggs or light yogurt and Kashi cereal are great options.

2. Take a multivitamin every morning. This ensures you get the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary to keep your metabolism and body functioning in high-gear. Boosting your metabolism helps your body burn calories faster, which ultimately reduces stored body fat.

3. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated makes you feel full between meals. And drinking lots of water improves circulation and helps decrease bloating and fluid retention.

4. Start every meal with a salad. This helps your body get the fiber it needs, which aids in proper digestion. Vegetables also provide the widest range of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals your body needs to maintain energy levels -- without fat. Another benefit: Eating salad before meals means you’ll have less room for fatty or sugar-rich main courses and desserts.

5. Eat fruit. As with salad, fruit provides important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals. But be careful. While fruits such as berries, honeydew, watermelon, and apricots are nutritious, they still contribute to your caloric intake, so like everything else, be sure to eat these fruits in moderation.

6. Eat only when you're hungry. Eating to combat boredom or stress can add hundreds, even thousands of extra calories to your daily intake. If you don’t burn off these calories, they go straight to your thighs, buttocks, and belly.

7. Snack smart. Stick with small portions of low-calorie foods, such as fruits, low-fat cottage cheese, vegetables, and high-fiber pretzels. These will satisfy your hunger and junk food urges without packing on the pounds.

8. Eat three meals a day. Skipping meals encourages overeating and snacking. On the other hand, three balanced meals a day, at the same times each day, keeps your metabolism moving and in rhythm.

9. Get active. Like it or not, exercise is important. Every person has different needs, but even moderate exercise has a dramatic effect on metabolism. Exercise can be as easy as taking a walk, or riding a stationary bike. Even everyday activities like strolling through the mall or playing a game of tag with your children will help. To burn even more calories, try strength training such as lifting weights, calisthenics, or yoga a few times a week.

As with any diet or weight loss program, check with your doctor before making any major changes to your lifestyle.

Happy 2007, everyone!

L A Weight Loss members featured in People magazine cover story

I have some exciting news to share: Two L A Weight Loss clients were chosen by People magazine's editors to appear in People magazine's "Half Their Size" issue, which is now in stores.

Janene Campbell, who went from 371 to 164 pounds, is featured on the magazine's cover and home page (that's Janene on the left). Mandy Muniz, who went from 293 to 126 pounds, is covered in a three-page spread! Way to go, ladies!!!



I'll be sharing my experience with Janene, Mandy, and People magazine's editors in a future entry. In the meantime, you can see the stories of these two amazing women, as they appear in the magazine.

Better still, pick up a copy today! It's a special double issue, and it's filled with stories that will inspire and motivate you -- the best of which are Janene's and Mandy's . OK, I'm biased! :-)