Georgia woman's life goes from pits to peaches

Everyone loves a Georgia peach, but you certainly don't want to be round like one! Yet that's how Pamela Leadbeater of Deluth, Ga., looked when her weight troubles reached the darkest pits.

It all started after having four kids, when Pamela had trouble keeping her weight down. She opted for fatty and fast foods when hunger struck, and didn't pay much attention to portion sizes. Menu choices included regular-fat dairy products and regular-sodium bacon.

Worse, Pamela's metabolism slowed as she got older, making it more difficult to keep the weight off and stay active. She soared to 262 pounds.

Pamela tried several fad diets and pills to drop the weight. One diet consisted only of cheese, meat, and pork. It worked initially, and she lost 54 pounds. But then Pamela gained it all back -- plus some! -- because the plan didn't teach her how to eat right, and she couldn't eat a variety of foods.

Meanwhile, her arthritis in her knees was worsening, making it painful to walk. She had difficulty breathing, and little energy. She couldn't even bend down to touch her toes.

Pamela was frustrated. She knew there was a thinner woman inside, she just had to find the way to reveal her.

She had heard about L A Weight Loss, and was almost too embarrassed to visit the center. But Pamela summoned her courage, and when she walked in, was pleasantly surprised. She quickly felt at ease, as a personal weight loss counselor sat down with her to discuss her weight troubles.

After the meeting, Pamela knew L A Weight Loss would provide the support and guidance she needed, and signed up. The counselors and nutrition experts taught her how to eat healthy, properly portioned foods. They also directed her to the L A Lite cookbook for simple meals she could easily prepare at home.

Yummy dishes included salads, chicken, turkey, low-fat yogurt and milk, and low-sodium bacon. That way she could still enjoy foods she loved, but in healthy ways. And once Pamela learned how tasty eating right could be, she stopped hitting the fast food drive-thru, too.

Today Pamela is 62 pounds lighter, weighing in at 200 pounds! She's well on her way to her goal weight of 160. Breathing comes easily for her now, and she has much more energy. Plus, she can reach her toes, and enjoys exercising and walking.

Better yet, Pamela no longer feels ashamed of her appearance. She loves feeling healthier, and is motivated to stay on the L A Weight Loss program because she's thrilled with the results.

In fact, Pamela believes L A Weight Loss is the best thing she's ever done for herself. She has a fresh outlook on life, and feels like a new, younger woman.

Way to go, Pamela! Keep us posted on your progress!

This is Pamela in the pits, at 262 pounds:



And here's the sweet Georgia peach now, at 200 pounds! Great job, Pamela!



FAST FACTS

Name: Pamela Leadbeater
Hometown: Deluth, Ga.
Age: 58
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 262 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 200 pounds
Program start date: Sept. 13, 2006

Favorite food: Lasagna.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Being on a structured program.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging in fast food.

New eating philosophy: Making sure everything she eats is healthy.

Best thing about losing weight: Having a new lease on life.

Best weight loss secret learned: Listen to your counselors!