Calif. cop can take ribbing in stride after losing 31 pounds

Rest easy, your donuts are safe.

This is the punch line under a picture of a row of police cars stationed outside a donut chain. You've probably heard jokes like this about police and fast-food joints before.

But Elizabeth Hundley isn't laughing. She's a policewoman from San Marcos, Calif., whose schedule made her a prisoner of fast food. She also turned to comfort food to deal with her emotional problems, increasing her weight gain.

She soon reached 171 pounds. Although her weight didn't severely threaten her health, she knew she needed to uncuff herself from poor eating habits.

She was able to drop 10 pounds on her own. Then she heard about L A Weight Loss through a friend who worked at the Encinitas, Calif., center. She explained how the program worked, and Elizabeth joined in June 2005.

With the help of her personal counselor Imee Rutnovich, Elizabeth lost four pounds in her first week. She made the difference by patrolling her fast-food intake, and replacing the greasy foods at lunch with a sandwich and a lot of vegetables.

In addition to eating right, Elizabeth started a free-weight and cardiovascular program at the gym three to four days a week. She increased her fitness level to where she no longer gets winded walking up the stairs at work.

After two years on the program, Elizabeth hit her goal weight of 140 pounds. She now sees a pretty 39-year-old woman looking back at her in the mirror. It's the perfect motivation to keep her going!

Plus, she now takes donut jokes in stride! Great job Elizabeth -- I bet the guys don't mind being pulled over by you now! ;)

Here is Elizabeth with a friend at 171 pounds:



And here she is dressed in blue and looking bright at 140 pounds!



FAST FACTS

Name: Elizabeth Hundley
Hometown: San Marcos, Calif.
Age: 39
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 171 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Program start date: June 13, 2005

Favorite food: Vegetables.

Biggest temptation: Fast food.

Biggest motivator: Staying healthy.

Biggest obstacle: Eating healthy on the job.

Old eating philosophy: Consuming high-calorie foods whenever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Finding the right balance of healthy eating while at work and home.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good about herself when she looks in the mirror.

Best weight loss secret learned: People notice when you make a major change in your life.