Everything's bigger in Texas -- except the Wells
Bigger is better, right? Not when it's your body that keeps getting larger.
Just ask Larry and Dixie Wells of Sherman, Texas. They know what it's like to live an out-sized life, and suffer the health consequences.
The couple had long been regulars at the local dance hall, getting in four solid hours of exercise every Saturday night. But in 1996, Larry had a series of surgeries that caused great trauma to his spine. This put him in a wheelchair, where he slowly gained weight, eventually hitting 360 pounds.
Then the dance hall closed, leaving Dixie without her dancing partner or steady exercise. She began struggling with her weight, too, and soon passed the 200-pound mark.
The Wells also battled other health issues. Larry had severe diabetes, and took five pills daily to rein in his skyrocketing blood sugar.
In addition, he had to do sliding board transfers to get from his bed to his wheelchair, or from his wheelchair to the shower bench. But moving the excess weight caused pain in his shoulders, and limited his mobility.
Meanwhile, Dixie took a cholesterol tablet every day to combat her high cholesterol, yet her numbers never improved. She also experienced significant pain in her back, hips, and feet -- enough to draw tears.
The couple knew they had to shed the pounds, or face a lifetime of misery and declining health. They tried to lose the weight on their own through various diet programs. But after a year had passed -- and Dixie gained 25 more pounds -- they decided to get help.
They went to their local L A Weight Loss center in July 2005, and teamed up with personal counselor Paula Terri to develop a healthy meal plan. She taught them how to eat in the correct portions, and strike the right balance of vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and carbs.
The Wells adjusted some family recipes to fit the L A Weight Loss plan without sacrificing taste. One of their favorite dinners: vegetable pizza on a reduced fat crescent roll crust with a light cream cheese spread.
Plus, Dixie joined an exercise club, going at least three times to use the treadmill and elliptical machines.
Thanks to these lifestyle changes, the pounds melted away. Within a year, Larry dropped from a size 3X to size L, weighing in at 238 pounds -- over 120 pounds lighter! And Dixie now sports a size 14 (instead of size 22) on her new 158-pound frame.
The difference in their health is even more dramatic. Larry is down to half a diabetes pill daily, and has to watch out for low blood sugar, while Dixie's high cholesterol is almost non-existent.
Plus, it's much easier for Larry to transfer between his bed, chair, and shower. Sometimes he doesn't even use the board, and holds himself up in the shower. And weighing 87 pounds less makes Dixie's feet, back, and hips much happier, too.
Best of all, the couple loves looking and feeling better, and having the energy to enjoy life -- the true definition of wellness. Terrific work, Larry and Dixie!
Here's the couple at 360 and 234 pounds, respectively:
And here's Larry at 238 pounds riding toward his 200-pound goal weight ...
... while Dixie struts her stuff at 158 pounds!! Talk about a job "Wells" done!
FAST FACTS
Name: Larry Wells
Hometown: Sherman, Texas
Age: 59
Height: 5'10"
Starting weight: 360 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 238 pounds
Program start date: July 2005
Favorite food: Craw fish.
Biggest temptation: Pizza.
Biggest motivator: Wanting to sit comfortably in a chair, and breathe more easily.
Biggest obstacle: Avoiding party food at work.
Old eating philosophy: Cleaning his plate.
New eating philosophy: Choosing healthy foods in the right portion.
Best thing about losing weight: Relieving stress on his body.
Best weight loss secret learned: The right foods in the right amounts are the key to success.
Name: Dixie Wells
Hometown: Sherman, Texas
Age: 59
Height: 5' 6 ½"
Starting weight: 234 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 158 pounds
Program start date: July 2005
Favorite food: Lasagna.
Biggest temptation: Chocolate walnut fudge.
Biggest motivator: Looking in the mirror, and seeing the pounds come off.
Biggest obstacle: Saying no to ice cream.
Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever looked good.
New eating philosophy: Enjoying the taste and freshness of healthy food.
Best thing about losing weight: Feeling and looking 10 years younger.
Best weight loss secret learned: Eating balanced meals three times a day in the proper portions helps the pounds drop off.
Just ask Larry and Dixie Wells of Sherman, Texas. They know what it's like to live an out-sized life, and suffer the health consequences.
The couple had long been regulars at the local dance hall, getting in four solid hours of exercise every Saturday night. But in 1996, Larry had a series of surgeries that caused great trauma to his spine. This put him in a wheelchair, where he slowly gained weight, eventually hitting 360 pounds.
Then the dance hall closed, leaving Dixie without her dancing partner or steady exercise. She began struggling with her weight, too, and soon passed the 200-pound mark.
The Wells also battled other health issues. Larry had severe diabetes, and took five pills daily to rein in his skyrocketing blood sugar.
In addition, he had to do sliding board transfers to get from his bed to his wheelchair, or from his wheelchair to the shower bench. But moving the excess weight caused pain in his shoulders, and limited his mobility.
Meanwhile, Dixie took a cholesterol tablet every day to combat her high cholesterol, yet her numbers never improved. She also experienced significant pain in her back, hips, and feet -- enough to draw tears.
The couple knew they had to shed the pounds, or face a lifetime of misery and declining health. They tried to lose the weight on their own through various diet programs. But after a year had passed -- and Dixie gained 25 more pounds -- they decided to get help.
They went to their local L A Weight Loss center in July 2005, and teamed up with personal counselor Paula Terri to develop a healthy meal plan. She taught them how to eat in the correct portions, and strike the right balance of vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and carbs.
The Wells adjusted some family recipes to fit the L A Weight Loss plan without sacrificing taste. One of their favorite dinners: vegetable pizza on a reduced fat crescent roll crust with a light cream cheese spread.
Plus, Dixie joined an exercise club, going at least three times to use the treadmill and elliptical machines.
Thanks to these lifestyle changes, the pounds melted away. Within a year, Larry dropped from a size 3X to size L, weighing in at 238 pounds -- over 120 pounds lighter! And Dixie now sports a size 14 (instead of size 22) on her new 158-pound frame.
The difference in their health is even more dramatic. Larry is down to half a diabetes pill daily, and has to watch out for low blood sugar, while Dixie's high cholesterol is almost non-existent.
Plus, it's much easier for Larry to transfer between his bed, chair, and shower. Sometimes he doesn't even use the board, and holds himself up in the shower. And weighing 87 pounds less makes Dixie's feet, back, and hips much happier, too.
Best of all, the couple loves looking and feeling better, and having the energy to enjoy life -- the true definition of wellness. Terrific work, Larry and Dixie!
Here's the couple at 360 and 234 pounds, respectively:
And here's Larry at 238 pounds riding toward his 200-pound goal weight ...
... while Dixie struts her stuff at 158 pounds!! Talk about a job "Wells" done!
FAST FACTS
Name: Larry Wells
Hometown: Sherman, Texas
Age: 59
Height: 5'10"
Starting weight: 360 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 238 pounds
Program start date: July 2005
Favorite food: Craw fish.
Biggest temptation: Pizza.
Biggest motivator: Wanting to sit comfortably in a chair, and breathe more easily.
Biggest obstacle: Avoiding party food at work.
Old eating philosophy: Cleaning his plate.
New eating philosophy: Choosing healthy foods in the right portion.
Best thing about losing weight: Relieving stress on his body.
Best weight loss secret learned: The right foods in the right amounts are the key to success.
Name: Dixie Wells
Hometown: Sherman, Texas
Age: 59
Height: 5' 6 ½"
Starting weight: 234 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 158 pounds
Program start date: July 2005
Favorite food: Lasagna.
Biggest temptation: Chocolate walnut fudge.
Biggest motivator: Looking in the mirror, and seeing the pounds come off.
Biggest obstacle: Saying no to ice cream.
Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever looked good.
New eating philosophy: Enjoying the taste and freshness of healthy food.
Best thing about losing weight: Feeling and looking 10 years younger.
Best weight loss secret learned: Eating balanced meals three times a day in the proper portions helps the pounds drop off.
Labels: 120 pounds, 75 pounds, Couple, Diabetes, Dixie Wells, High cholesterol, Larry Wells, Spinal trauma
posted by Jackie Zima-Evans @ 1:32 PM
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