Soldier's wife gives extra weight its marching orders

Long-distance relationships are tough. Couples must navigate loneliness, different time zones, and travel costs, just to be with each another. Imagine, then, how difficult it becomes when one partner is in Iraq.

Elizabeth Diaz doesn't need to imagine -- she lived it. Her husband Ricky, a sergeant in the National Guard, was deployed to Iraq in November 2005, leaving Elizabeth to care for their two youngest children, ages 11 and 7.

Loneliness and stress soon caught up with her. Meals at fast-food restaurants became the norm, pushing Elizabeth to 268 pounds. That was a far cry from the slim 100 pounds Elizabeth weighed when she and Ricky dated over 26 years earlier.

Worse, Elizabeth's back, knees, and heels ached. She couldn't sleep well at night, which left her constantly exhausted. Then it dawned on her: If something happened to Ricky, she was not in the best condition to take care of her family. This convinced her to make her health a priority.

She didn't know where to begin, until she saw a segment on Good Morning America about Alisha Marigani. Alisha was a fellow military wife who had shed 113 pounds on the L A Weight Loss plan to surprise her husband when he returned home from Iraq.

Elizabeth called her local L A Weight Loss Center in Pueblo West, Colo., that day. Her vow: to reach her goal weight by the time Ricky came home on two-week leave in July.

Her personal counselors worked with Elizabeth every step of the way, teaching her how to make healthier choices on the fast food menus, and how to eat the proper portions at mealtimes. Elizabeth also incorporated exercise into her routine, walking one block farther each day, and eventually joining a gym.

By the end of her first week, Elizabeth had lost 10 pounds, and continued to lose at a rate of three pounds a week. By July, she had dropped 100 pounds (!!), and went from a size 26 to a size 12. It was time for Ricky to come home ... and for Elizabeth to reveal her new look.

But Ricky turned the tables on Elizabeth, recognizing her right away at the airport! Her beautiful smile gave her away :)

Now, Elizabeth has much more energy to spend on fun activities with Ricky, and no longer suffers from joint pain or lack of sleep. Even better, she feels years younger -- even as young as when she and Ricky first met! Now that's what I call a Valentine' Day present.

Here's Elizabeth with Ricky, weighing in at 268 pounds:



And here she is, a stunning 160 pounds, ready to wow her husband!



FAST FACTS

Name: Elizabeth Diaz
Hometown: Pueblo West, Colo.
Age: 44
Height: 5'5”

Starting weight: 268 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Starting date: Feb. 14, 2006

Favorite L A Weight Loss recipe: Grilled Chicken Pita.

Favorite food: Anything Italian!

Biggest temptation: Fast food.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to lose weight by the time her soldier husband came home on leave.

Biggest obstacle: Giving up soda and fast food.

Old eating philosophy: Relying on drive-thru windows and Super Size options for her meals.

New eating philosophy: Making healthier choices when dining out, and balancing her food groups.

Best thing about losing weight: Getting rid of her weight-related aches and sleeping problems, and restoring her energy and confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't have to sacrifice your favorite foods. Rather, eat healthier versions of them in the right portions.