New mom delivers on second chance

No woman wants to look at old pictures and hear this from her husband: "Gee honey, you used to be hot." Used to be hot? Ouch.

But that's just what Holly Nissen's husband, Aaron, said to her while looking through old photos from their high school days.

Holly was 23 years old, and weighed 200 pounds. She was an RN, working 12-hour shifts that strained her back, put pressure on her knees, and hurt her feet. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional pain of living in a sluggish body that didn't match her bubbly personality.

Holly hated the way she looked, and buried her depression in food. And when she gained more weight, she just ate more to deal with the unhappiness.

When Holly became pregnant with her first child, it was an excuse to eat whatever she wanted. However, the fast food binges and pasta cravings quickly caught up with her.

One week before her due date, Holly felt very dizzy and achy. Not sure what was wrong, Aaron took her to the hospital. Her weight registered at 255 pounds, and her cholesterol at 236 -- much too high for herself and her baby.

Holly stayed in the hospital overnight for observation, and was released in the morning. But that was the scare Holly needed.

She realized how unhealthy she was, and how much she was risking her baby's life as well as her own. She didn't want her son to pick up her bad eating habits. Also, Holly and Aaron wanted more children, but didn't want to go through another unhealthy pregnancy.

So Holly vowed to start losing weight as soon as her doctors said it was OK.

Holly delivered her baby on Dec. 31, 2005. Five months later, she joined the Fargo, N.D., L A Weight Loss center weighing 216 pounds. She was at first skeptical of "another diet," but knew L A Weight Loss was right for her when her counselor Haley said she'd be eating real foods in the proper portions.

Holly began eating fish, vegetables, salads, and chicken. She lost 48 pounds, and reduced her cholesterol to 206 before becoming pregnant again at the end of last year. At 168 pounds, Holly started her pregnancy on a much healthier note.

The upshot: Holly is relieved of her aches and pains -- both physical and emotional. Aaron is very proud of her, and tells her every day how beautiful she is.

She feels she has so much more to live for now, and with another baby on the way, she does! Holly is the happiest she's ever been! Congratulations, Holly!

Interested in learning more about Holly's story? Read the personal letter she sent 16 weeks into her weight loss program, when she lost 32 pounds. It's an inspiration for new moms and moms-to-be everywhere!

This is the unhealthy Holly before, weighing in at 216 pounds:



And here she is at 168 pounds. Way to go, Holly, and best of luck with the bundles of joy!



FAST FACTS

Name: Holly Nissen
Hometown: Fargo, N.D.
Age: 27

Starting weight: 216 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Program start date: May 30, 2006

Favorite food: Salmon.

Biggest temptation: Fast food.

Biggest motivators: Her husband and her new baby.

Biggest obstacle: Having to tell her family about the program in order to have a support group.

Old eating philosophy: Piling on the McDonald's, pasta, casseroles, and canned vegetables.

New eating philosophy: Eating fresh vegetables, fish such as salmon and tilapia, proteins, and salads.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling like an entirely new person, and having energy after 12-hour workdays to spend time with her family.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don't hesitate to talk to your L A Weight Loss counselor and ask for help if you have questions. That's what they're there for!