Weight Loss 145: One college student's crash course in shedding pounds

Often, college life means saying goodbye to good ol' home cookin', and saying hello to less-than-healthy dining hall food. But what happens when the convenience of grabbing a burger becomes routine, and cooking a well-balanced meal becomes rare?

Like most people in this situation, Paige Morgan gained weight. As a full-time college student, and a hostess working close to 30 hours per week, Paige regularly found herself dining on fast food in her school's cafeteria.

When her weight tipped the scales at 308 pounds, Paige knew it was time to do something about it. She took a semester off from school to get her weight on track.

In September 2005, Paige joined her local L A Weight Loss center in Rainbow, Ala., with her grandmother, who was determined to do everything she could to support Paige in her weight-loss challenge -- even if it meant losing weight herself.

Paige had tried other weight loss programs before, but nothing worked. She needed the face-to-face support that she could only find at L A Weight Loss -- and it worked wonders!

With constant encouragement, Paige's personal L A Weight Loss counselors helped her overcome eating temptations and challenges. They also helped her adapt her diet to include healthy meals and lots of fish, and taught her the effectiveness of portion control.

Less than two years after joining L A Weight Loss, Paige weighs nearly half her size! At 163 pounds, she now enjoys the life of a 23-year-old with gusto.

She is happier, has more confidence, and constantly discovers new things about herself. One such revelation: a love for cooking, which has inspired Paige to enroll in culinary school.

And thanks to the determination she learned through her experience with L A Weight Loss, Paige feels she can accomplish anything! You're cooking with gas now, Paige -- way to go!

Here's Paige at a hefty 308 pounds:



Here she is 145 pounds lighter, ready to light up the stoves at culinary school!



FAST FACTS

Name: Paige Morgan
Hometown: Southside, Ala.
Age: 23

Starting weight: 308 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 163 pounds
Program start date: September 2005

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: School cafeteria food.

Biggest motivator: Her grandmother, who lost weight with her on the program.

Biggest obstacle: Hanging out with her thin classmates.

Old eating philosophy: Dining on pizza and hamburgers in her school cafeteria.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy frozen meals and seafood.

Best thing about losing weight: Inspiring a friend to lose weight on the program.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat some of your favorite foods while losing weight!