Treat yourself with these weight loss tricks

Even scarier than Frankenstein's monster, ghastly ghosts, and bloodthirsty vampires is an expanding waistline.

So don't let today's Halloween festivities widen it! Here's a healthy pumpkin pie recipe -- plus some handy substitution tips -- that will satisfy your sweet tooth without breaking your weight loss plan. Happy Halloween!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin, no added salt
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated skim milk
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 egg whites
3/4 cup artificial sweetener
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup reduced-fat graham cracker crumbs
Nonfat cooking spray

In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, milk, egg substitute, egg whites, and sweetener. Beat until smooth. Add the spices and salt, and beat until well combined. Stir in graham cracker crumbs. Pour into a 9-inch pie plate that has been coated with nonfat cooking spray. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 50-55 minutes, or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool before slicing.

And while you're baking, keep these substitutes in mind to cut back on calories and fat:

• Use fruit puree, such as unsweetened applesauce or prune puree, in place of some of the fat.
• Replace some of the whole eggs with egg whites or pasteurized egg substitute. It is best to keep some of the whole eggs in the recipe to maintain texture.
• To cut back on sugar, use one-half or one-third sugar substitute. This will maintain flavor, but cut back on calories.
• Use evaporated milk in place of heavy cream.
• If cutting out some of the sugar, add extra spices to enhance the flavor. Try cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger.
• When making bread, increase the fiber by using whole wheat flour for all or half the flour.

Sharon Rutti sheds a lifetime of bad habits

Old habits aren't the only ones that die hard. So do bad habits. And when a bad habit like overeating sticks with somebody their entire life, it's unlikely they'll kick the tendency. But don't tell that to Sharon Rutti.

Weight was a problem for Sharon since childhood. She knew she had bad eating habits, but lacked the willpower to change them. Sharon's philosophy: Eat anything, any time.

As a result, her weight climbed each year. By the time Sharon reached 60, she weighed 352 pounds. Breathing was difficult, and she could do little else besides sit in a chair all day. Sharon also suffered from dangerously high blood pressure and arthritic knees.

She tried a number of diets -- and even had her stomach stapled. But still the weight came back. Nothing taught her proper nutrition, so her bad eating habits continued, even though Sharon knew her weight was killing her.

Desperate for change, she joined her local Nainamo, British Columbia, L A Weight Loss center in January 2006. Sharon worked closely with her personal weight loss counselor, Genedine, who taught her portion control as the key to a healthy diet.

Sharon was soon eating in moderation. She found that by monitoring her portions and eating a number of small meals throughout the day, she was able to overcome her toughest cravings. Sharon also cut back on fast food, fried food, and bread, while adding fruits and vegetables.

Since joining L A Weight Loss, Sharon has lost 110 pounds -- halfway to her weight loss goal of 130 pounds! At 242 pounds, Sharon has already changed her life dramatically. She can now do everyday activities with ease, and loves to fish, camp, and play with her grandson.

Sharon's health has improved, too. Her blood pressure dramatically decreased, and her arthritis is less painful. She even has the energy to swim and do aqua exercises at her community pool.

Best of all, Sharon's new weight has given her a more positive outlook on life. She's much happier, and knows she's taken an important step to living longer.

Sharon has shown everyone it's never too late to change your life. Way to go, Sharon! Keep up the good work!

Here's Sharon before at 352 pounds:



And here she is today at 242 pounds. Halfway there, Sharon! Keep it up!




FAST FACTS

Name: Sharon Rutti
Hometown: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Age: 62
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 352 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 242 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Fruit.

Biggest temptation: Resisting sweets and bread.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from her family.

Biggest obstacle: Breaking through the plateau.

Old eating philosophy: Eating as much as she wanted, whenever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthier, and knowing when she's satisfied.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good about herself.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you eat properly, you can be satisfied without cheating.

It's your turn to take the Controltrim Challenge

Journalists across the country recently received a surprise package filled with over a dozen brownies, hand-baked by a professional pastry chef. Half of the brownies were made with Controltrim, and half with a traditional recipe.

These journalists were put to the test to participate in our L A Weight Loss Controltrim Challenge, to see if they could tell which brownie contained Controltrim, which cuts fat and calories by 36 percent.

Now, the results are in! Of the 716 journalists joining the Controltrim Challenge, 55 percent guessed incorrectly. In fact, many admitted they couldn't tell the difference between the two.

That's because Controltrim is a fat replacement product developed by the U.S.D.A. It's made from 100 percent whole oat bran, a source of healthy beta-glucans. Controltrim doesn't affect taste or texture. Rather, it replaces up to 50 percent of fat in baked goods, sauces, dressings, desserts, snacks, and beverages when used in recipes.

Controltrim is available exclusively at L A Weight Loss, so if you're interested in trying it, ask your local center for more information about incorporating it into your plan. And don't forget to let us know what you think by commenting here!

Solid family ties help thin Idaho mom's waistline

Take a look at your family, and it can be easy to see why bad eating habits are hard to shake. If you're constantly surrounded by people who pile on the portions, it can be tough to limit your servings and control your weight.

That's why Sara O'Connor struggled with her weight her entire life. Her family ate huge portions with fatty meats and starches. Vegetables rarely made their way to the dinner table.

Sara's bad eating habits followed her into adulthood. She often snacked on candy, and didn't get balanced nutrition. Her two pregnancies pushed the scale higher, topping out at 318 pounds.

Sara suffered from back and knee pain, and knew it was a matter of time before more serious health issues sprung up.

Worse, she didn't have the energy or stamina to keep up with her two young children. Her weight also made her self-conscious. Sara was uncomfortable meeting new people. And the thought of squeezing into an airplane seat to visit her husband's family in Ireland was horrifying.

Then Sara's cousin came for a family visit. She had also been overweight her entire life, and recently shed over 100 pounds. Her secret: L A Weight Loss.

Sara was shocked by her cousin's transformation. Even more shocking was the fact that her cousin could eat normal foods like everyone else. Sara decided to take control of her weight too, and joined her local Pocatella, Idaho, L A Weight Loss center.

She worked diligently with her one-on-one counselors to change her bad eating habits. Sara substituted red and fatty meats for lean chicken, and added plenty of fruits and vegetables to her meals.

She also made little diet tweaks, such as switching from whole milk to skim milk, and cutting back on candy and ice cream consumption. Determined not to let her children grow up eating poorly, Sara incorporated the healthy changes into her family's diet too.

Sara quickly began dropping the pounds. Her L A Weight Loss counselors kept her motivated when she was temped to cheat. And the L A Lite bars and supplements helped keep her on track by quashing her sweet cravings.

Now Sara weighs 185 pounds! That's 113 pounds down, making her only 20 pounds away from her goal weight of 165. Sara believes that losing weight has changed her life. She has a new sense of self-confidence, and doesn't shy from challenges.

Sara can now fit into cute, professional clothes, and she thinks her new look helped her get a better position in the president's office of a local university. But she's not stopping there. She's continuing to enhance her professional life by taking classes to get her master's degree.

Sara is happier in her family life, too. She has more energy to play with her children, and is glad to see her husband drop weight thanks to her healthy, new cooking style.

Best of all, Sara loves her new life, and is thankful for the motivation her cousin gave her to gain control of her weight. She has shown that while weight problems might be all in the family, so are weight solutions.

Way to go, Sara! Keep up the good work!

Here's Sara weighing in at 318 pounds:



And here she is today, at 185 pounds. Wow! Looking great, Sara! Congrats!



FAST FACTS

Name: Sara O'Connor
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho
Age: 36
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 318 pounds
Goal weight: 165 pounds
Current weight: 185 pounds
Program start date: September 2005

Favorite food: Ice cream.

Biggest temptation: Ice cream and chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to be able to do more with her two boys.

Biggest obstacle: Trying to find time to exercise while having two kids and a job.

Old eating philosophy: Eating big portions.

New eating philosophy: Eating more fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Getting a better job, and being able to sport professional clothing.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat lots of vegetables to fill up.

Sonya Jefferson gets choosy about chowing down

Kids are notorious for being picky eaters. Adults not so much. But when they are, they can be doing a good thing for themselves, as in Sonya Jefferson's case.

But she wasn't always so choosy at the table. People with poor eating habits surrounded Sonya while growing up, and she enjoyed whatever, whenever. Her dad and brother were overweight, and she soon joined the plus-sized party. Kids made fun of her in high school, and she retreated into her shell.

Things worsened in college. Sonya gained the freshman 15, and much more. She felt stressed living away from home, and turned to food as a diversion. Topping that was her erratic eating schedule common to college students, and Sonya ballooned to 250 pounds by senior year.

But her stress didn't leave. Sonya put on more weight after her dad died of a heart attack, and she was laid off. Depressed, Sonya didn't care what she ate. Her diet consisted largely of quick grabs at fast-food joints, sweets, and candy -- all of which gave her indigestion. She rarely cooked at home, and her weight soared to 339 pounds.

The extra weight caused her skin to break out, and Sonya felt old and sluggish. Living in Georgia, Sonya sometimes thought is was OK to be big. Many people were heavier, and happy -- love yourself no matter what! But Sonya wasn't happy. Her health was out of control, and she had to do something about it.

She researched local weight loss centers, and made a few phone calls. When she spoke to counselors at L A Weight Loss, she immediately felt at ease, and joined the Camp Creek, Ga., center the next day.

Sonya worked with personal weight loss counselors Sarah and Louise to adjust her eating plan. They taught her how to cook simple, healthy meals at home, such as rice casserole and vegetable dishes. She also started grilling food, and incorporating nuts and water into her day.

Soon she became a picky eater, and paid attention to what passed her lips. As she discovered how good healthy food tastes, Sonya forgot about greasy burgers and fries.

After 14 months on the L A Weight Loss plan, Sonya lost 104 pounds! Now at 235, she's quickly closing in on her goal of 170 pounds.

Sonya feels and looks 10 years younger. Without processed foods running through her system, her indigestion stopped and her acne cleared up. She shops in regular-sized stores, and enjoys teaching aerobics. In fact, some her students barely recognize her anymore!

And best of all, Sonya has new self-esteem and control of her life. She won't go back to fast food or the unhappy place she once was.

Way to go, Sonya! Keep up the great work, and we'll check back soon!

Here's Sonya before L A Weight Loss, at 339 pounds:



Here she is today, at 235. Keep losing, Sonya!



FAST FACTS

Name: Sonya Jefferson
Hometown: Fairburn, Ga.
Age: 40
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 339 pounds
Goal weight: 170 pounds
Current weight: 235 pounds
Program start date: Aug. 18, 2006

Favorite food: Seafood.

Biggest temptation: Cheesecake.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to wear stylish clothes that fit her.

Biggest obstacle: Hitting a weight loss plateau.

Old eating philosophy: Filling up on super-sized fast food meals.

New eating philosophy: Balancing her meals with healthy foods, such as boiled eggs, yogurt, and cherry tomatoes.

Best thing about losing weight: Learning how to satisfy your hunger while losing weight.

Best weight loss secret learned: Losing weight can make you look years younger!

A new way to have your cake and eat it too

When a chocolate chip cookie, devil's food cake, or hot apple pie is calling your name, it's difficult to say no.

But Andy and Sheri Collier and Vicky Covi aren't saying no anymore. They are using Controltrim, a new L A Weight Loss product that's used in conjunction with the program.

Controltrim is made of 100 percent oat bran, so it's all natural. And it was developed by the USDA, so it's safe to consume.

Controltrim comes in caplet and powder form. Users take the caplets before every meal. They make you feel full, and eat less, which makes portion control even easier!

Mixing the powder in salad dressings, puddings, and beverages makes you feel full. So you're satisfied without consuming too many calories.

You can also use the powder to replace fats and oils when you're baking and cooking. For example, substituting half of the butter in a cake recipe with Controltrim reduces the fat and calorie content. This makes the cake healthier and keeps your weight loss goals on track. It's also great for people watching their cholesterol and heart health.

You might wonder if the cake tastes differently though. Good news, it doesn't! Foods with Controltrim have the same taste, texture, and moisture as those without.

In fact, we tested it. We recently invited over 1,300 journalists across the country to taste a brownie made with Controltrim, and one made with cooking oil. We kept the brownies' identities secret, and challenged the journalists to pick out the Controltrim brownie.

The results are still coming in. As soon as we crunch the numbers, we'll share them here. We'll also be posting recipes that use Controltrim over the coming weeks, so you can cook with it at home. Check back here soon. In the meantime, ask your counselor how you can incorporate Controltrim into your L A Weight Loss plan!

Here are crab cakes made with Controltrim. Mmm!

UPDATE: Connie Thone crosses weight loss finish line

The last time we spoke to Connie Thone at 147 pounds, she was bearing down on her weight loss goal.

Since then, Connie has crossed the finish line! She now officially weighs in at 140 pounds, and is enjoying the life she always dreamed of.

She can't even describe how much better her life has become. No one can believe how great she looks. And Connie loves showing off her new body with a more active lifestyle that includes walking and biking.

We're so proud of you, Connie! You look fantastic!

Here's Connie today looking amazing at 140 pounds:

Georgia truck driver accelerates weight loss success

Metabolism is a fickle friend. When it's on your side, the joys of food seem endless. But while metabolism might have been your adolescent companion, it can decide to skip town once middle age hits.

Johnny Emmons knows the pain of losing a fast metabolism. The majority of his life, he could eat whatever he wanted without worrying about his weight. When Johnny reached his thirties, however, his metabolism slowed down. But his eating did not.

Working as a truck driver, Johnny found it difficult to fit healthy meals into his schedule, and easy to find fast food restaurants. After years of bad eating habits, Johnny's weight totaled 350 pounds.

And he suffered the effects. His blood pressure was high, and he could barely make it up the stairs without gasping for breath. Johnny also had constant pain in his feet and ankles.

He knew he needed to change his lifestyle. Johnny tried a number of fad diets and pills, but nothing reduced his weight. He even gained weight on one diet!

One day when his grandchild was visiting, Johnny couldn't keep up with the baby. That's when he decided once and for all to drop the pounds. He joined his local McDonough, Ga., L A Weight Loss center.

Johnny's personal weight loss counselors helped him find the perfect eating plan for his lifestyle. He adapted his food schedule to ensure he had well-balanced meals throughout his day.

He learned that eating healthy doesn't mean eating boring. Johnny added tasty fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and more water to his diet. He eliminated extra fats, such as fried and fast foods, high-calorie soda, and fatty condiments.

Thanks to Johnny's new eating plan and portion control, the pounds melted away. He's now 64 pounds lighter at 286! He's getting close to his goal weight of 240.

It's also easier for him to make smart food choices. Even when he's not eating perfectly, he's still aware of what he's consuming.

For Johnny, the best thing about being thinner is the ability to do much more. Everyday activities that used to be difficult, such as tying his shoes and walking up stairs, are now easy. He has energy to play with his grandchildren, bowl, and shoot pool.

Johnny might not have the metabolism of his youth anymore, but he sure has the L A Weight Loss knowledge to stay healthy and keep his weight down! Way to go, Johnny!

Here's Johnny at his heaviest, 350 pounds:



Here he is today, at 286 pounds. Getting close, Johnny! Keep it up!



FAST FACTS

Name: Johnny Emmons
Hometown: McDonough, Ga.
Age: 42
Height: 6'6"

Starting weight: 350 pounds
Goal weight: 240 pounds
Current weight: 286 pounds
Program start date: April 2007

Favorite food: Steak and donuts.

Biggest temptation: Fried food.

Biggest motivator: Seeing the pounds come off.

Biggest obstacle: Working around his hectic schedule.

Old eating philosophy: Eating everything that tasted good.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy and light.

Best thing about losing weight: Knowing that he'll be around for his loved ones.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can eat without being hungry, and still lose weight!

Abuse victim takes final step to overcome defeat

The effects of abuse are chronicled too well. Injury, depression, anxiety, and unhealthy eating are just a few.

Iretta Baldwin can attest to all of the above. She married her first husband at age 18. But her marriage was scarred with mental and physical abuse, and Iretta turned to food for comfort.

Years of emotional struggle, one daughter, and two failed marriages later, food was still Iretta's best friend. And it showed. She tipped the scales at 258 pounds.

Iretta was tired all the time, and never had energy to do anything. The thought of being alone made her anxious, and she settled for unhealthy relationships. Her self-confidence diminished as she surrounded herself with negative people who treated her badly.

When Iretta became a teacher, she was determined to get her weight under control. During parent-teacher conferences, she didn't want to be considered a child's "big teacher."

Thanks to her daughter's encouragement, Iretta joined the Lakewood, Colo., L A Weight Loss Center. She worked diligently with her one-on-one weight loss counselors, and learned how to incorporate healthy eating into her lifestyle.

Out went her bad habits of greasy breakfasts, fatty snacks, and overfilled plates. In came plenty of vegetables, fruits, yogurt, and lean proteins.

And it worked. After one year with L A Weight Loss, Iretta lost 103 pounds! Now weighing in at 155, she is nearly at her weight loss goal of 140 pounds!

Losing weight changed everything for Iretta. She's not only in control of her weight, but her life as well. Her escalating self-confidence makes her feel reborn!

Iretta fits into smaller clothes, and has energy to exercise. She walks more than ever before -- whether with her dogs, or from the furthest parking space to the store.

The best part about being thinner: Iretta doesn't let negative people in her life anymore, and she's ready to move up. Iretta feels she can stand on her own two feet, and hold her head high.

Way to go, Iretta! We're so proud of you!

Here's Iretta, weighing in at 258 pounds:



And here she is today 103 pounds lighter! Looking great, Iretta!



FAST FACTS

Name: Iretta Baldwin
Hometown: Lakewood, Colo.
Age: 41
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 258 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 155 pounds
Program start date: October 2006

Favorite food: Cheese enchiladas.

Biggest temptation: Chips and dip.

Biggest motivator: Getting encouragement from her daughter every step of the way.

Biggest obstacle: Going back to old eating habits.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on fried foods, chocolate, and chips.

New eating philosophy: Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining self confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat out at restaurants and lose weight!

Ontario woman takes what she dished out

Getting a dose of your own medicine might sound unpleasant. But that remedy helped Kym Doornekamp of Ridgeway, Ontario, take control of her life.

She was always health-conscious, and stayed in shape throughout adolescence and early adulthood. So becoming an L A Weight Loss counselor was not a stretch. Kym enjoyed teaching people proper eating habits, while helping them reach their goal weights.

Kym led a healthy lifestyle until she was diagnosed with a heart condition at age 32. She became largely bedridden. Kym's medications had weight gain side effects. Plus, her lack of exercise kept her from burning calories, and her weight crept up.

She became depressed, and wanted her old life back. Kym didn't care what she ate, because she felt it didn't matter. She loaded up on carbs and sweets, and consumed almost anything else until she was stuffed.

Soon Kym weighed 225 pounds. On days when she did leave her bed, Kym liked to visit the mall. But lugging around her extra weight made her winded after taking the stairs, and lightheaded after walking past four stores. Worse, the extra pounds exacerbated her heart condition. Kym was disgusted with herself, and angry that she let her weight control her life.

She turned to the one program she already knew and believed in: L A Weight Loss. But this time, she was the one seeking nutritional guidance and personalized counseling.

Kym joined L A Weight Loss, and refocused her eating plan and outlook. She ate balanced meals in the proper portions, and drank plenty of water. Breakfast was usually oatmeal, a banana, and skim milk; and lunch, a salad with light dressing.

For supper, Kym enjoyed chicken breast, rice, and mixed vegetables. In between meals, she usually ate celery with peanut butter, or yogurt. Throughout her journey, she leaned on her personal counselors for support and inspiration.

In just 10 months, Kym lost 95 pounds! She now clocks in at a healthy 130 -- back to her old form!

Her heart condition has dramatically improved, and her symptoms have decreased in severity. That's given her new-found energy, which she uses to walk and bike every day. In fact, Kym walked a marathon in Niagara Falls last year, and plans to run the Boston Marathon as soon as she's ready.

Kym loves the way she looks, and sometimes can't believe her reflection in the mirror. Her husband is also thrilled about her weight loss, and the couple is closer.

Kym believes L A Weight Loss is the reason she's achieved her better way of life. What she once thought was impossible, is now possible!

Wow, great job, Kym! Keep up the fantastic work!

This is Kym before, at 225 pounds:



And here she is today, a new person at 130. Looking fabulous, Kym!



FAST FACTS

Name: Kym Doornekamp
Hometown: Ridgeway, Ontario
Age: 34
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 225 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Salad and pitas.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate bars.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from her husband.

Biggest obstacle: Being tempted by food, especially pepperoni pizza.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything that looked good.

New eating philosophy: Choosing healthy foods and eating until she's just slightly full.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining new self-confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: Go easy on the salt!

Staci Sipaila 'outs' the pounds for the great outdoors

Residents of Reno, Nev., know it's the city for lovers of the great outdoors. It offers everything from skiing, to hiking, to camping, and more. But what do you do when your weight saps your energy and anchors you to your sofa?

Staci Sipaila found the answer. She didn't have a problem with her weight until adulthood. After her first pregnancy, Stacy gained 20 pounds and couldn't shake it. At 161 pounds, she had trouble keeping up with her baby, let alone caring for herself.

Staci's unhealthy diet was stocked with junk food, and her meals rarely included fruits and vegetables. She tried to limit her sweets, but always cheated.

Her extra pounds made her feel unhealthy, and she couldn't get outside to enjoy all that her active community offered. And spending free time with thinner friends didn't help, either. Staci hated that she couldn't share clothes with her friends.

Fed up, Staci knew she needed to change her lifestyle. She tried a number of diets, but nothing held her accountable for what she ate, and her bad eating habits lived on. Then she found L A Weight Loss.

Staci joined the Reno, Nev., L A Weight Loss center, determined to drop those pesky pounds. Her personal weight loss counselors helped her adjust her diet to include more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water. And they were always ready to help her through weight loss challenges or plateaus.

Even better, Staci's husband James joined L A Weight Loss shortly after her so they could help each other get fit. They cooked meals centered around their new focus of nutrition balance and portion control.

Today Staci is 19 pounds lighter, weighing 142! She's well on her way to her goal of 135 pounds. Meanwhile, her husband lost 10 pounds -- just what he wanted.

Staci can now take advantage of Reno's great outdoors with her husband. They enjoy hiking, fishing, skiing, and riding motorcycles -- activities once too strenuous for Staci.

She also has a new wardrobe she can share with her friends. She doesn't hesitate to throw on her bathing suit, and she sports tighter, cuter clothes. Everything has added up to a happier, healthier Staci.

Way to go, Staci! You look great!

Here's Staci post-baby at 161 pounds:



And here she is now, turning heads at 142 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Staci Sipaila
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Age: 25
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 161 pounds
Goal weight: 135 pounds
Current weight: 142 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Pineapple.

Biggest temptation: Cookie dough.

Biggest motivator: Keeping up with her husband and her kids.

Biggest obstacle: Staying active and caring for her new baby.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on anything sweet, without thinking of the consequences.

New eating philosophy: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Being more active.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink water!

Montana dad takes easy ride down the wedding aisle

Here's a nontraditional wedding: Escorting the bride down the aisle on a motorcycle.

That was the wish of Bill Cherpeski's daughter. But for Bill to be the escort, he had to give up one of his true loves: food.

Bill was practically born married to it. Candy, cakes, cookies, rolls, pastries -- you name it, Bill ate it. When eating out, he ordered greasy meals. And he rarely exercised. By the time he reached his senior years, Bill weighed 295 pounds.

Bill could barely take six steps up the stairs before having to pull himself up using the railing. The short walk to his garage winded him. And he had no strength to roll over in bed.

But that's just the beginning. Bill used a motorized riding cart in the grocery store. He couldn't fit into booths at restaurants, and always asked for a table. Bill's wife tied his shoes because he couldn't bend over. As if that wasn't bad enough, Bill also had diabetes and used an oxygen tank. His health was in shambles.

Bill knew he had to lose weight. He tried counting calories, but soon got bored and gave up. Then Bill's tipping point came: His daughter became engaged in February 2006, and she wanted Bill to escort her down the aisle on a motorcycle.

But with all that excess weight, there was no way Bill could get on a motorcycle, unless he dropped the pounds.

Bill walked into the L A Weight Loss center in his neighborhood, and began working with the personal weight loss counselors to cut out his high-calorie junk food. The counselors added fresh fruits and vegetables to his diet. Bill also ate grilled food instead of fried, and always measured out proper portions.

Bill listened to his L A Weight Loss counselors, and was inspired by their insight and guidance to losing weight and getting fit. His wife kept him on track by preparing healthy, homemade dishes more often.

When his daughter's wedding day arrived, it was his big moment. As planned, his daughter came down the aisle on the back of a motorcycle. At the wheel was Bill, 54 pounds lighter! He was proud of his daughter, but the 280 guests were proud of Bill!

But his success doesn't end there. Bill continued losing weight on L A Weight Loss, and now weighs 196 pounds -- 99 pounds lighter, and just 11 pounds away from his goal weight.

Bill's blood sugar is almost normal, and he's off his oxygen tank. Tasks that used to be a struggle now come easy, and he enjoys riding his bike and working in the yard.

Bill sold his old clothes, including 157 (!) 3x-sized shirts. He bought a new wardrobe, and even new shoes because his feet lost weight too!

Bill says if he hadn't joined L A Weight Loss, he wouldn't be here today. We're so happy you did, Bill! Way to go!

This is Bill before, cloaked in 295 pounds:



Here is the proud dad during his weight loss journey, escorting his daughter down the aisle on a motorcycle:



And here he is today, at a healthy 196! Great work, Bill!



FAST FACTS

Name: Bill Cherpeski
Hometown: Great Falls, Mont.
Age: 68
Height: 5'8"

Starting weight: 295 pounds
Goal weight: 185 pounds
Current weight: 196 pounds
Program start date: February 2006

Favorite food: Bakery treats.

Biggest temptation: Cinnamon rolls.

Biggest motivator: Losing weight for his daughter's wedding.

Biggest obstacle: Trying to eat healthy at restaurants.

Old eating philosophy: Cleaning his plate, and then some.

New eating philosophy: Paying attention to nutrition and portion sizes.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better and wearing new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: L A Weight Loss counselors help you tremendously!

Cathy Turner learns the secret to weight loss success

Weight loss means different things to different people. Looking thinner, wearing smaller sized clothes, and having more energy, to name a few. Cathy Turner began her weight loss journey with only one thing in mind: getting healthy.

Cathy struggled to lose weight most of her life. Growing up in a house filled with overweight family members gave her the foundation to eat poorly at an early age. Cathy ate the way her family ate, and never thought about what she was consuming.

Working as a cook at an assisted living community gave Cathy access to food. And constant snacking led to weight gain. Cathy's weight increased steadily throughout the years, and by the time she reached her forties, she weighed a sturdy 259 pounds.

She had little energy, and was exhausted by the time she got home from work. All she could do was sit on the couch. Then tragedy struck. Cathy's brother was overweight and suffered the health effects. His passing at age 43 prompted Cathy to get healthy.

Cathy tried a number of diet programs, but couldn't find one that worked for her. She never established a healthy eating plan, and no one taught her how to eat properly. Then she decided to give L A Weight Loss a try.

At L A Weight Loss, Cathy found the secrets to healthy eating she was searching for. Her personal weight loss counselors taught her all about the importance of portion control and balance.

Cathy replaced her junk-food diet with a healthy eating plan. Her usual consumption of too many sweets, snacks, and carbs was cut down, and complemented with more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

Before Cathy knew it, the weight began to melt away. She found that eating healthy was easier to integrate into her life than she ever thought. And she used L A Lite bars as sweet treats to get her through the day.

In fact, L A Weight Loss helped Cathy so much that she sailed past her goal weight, and currently weighs 155 pounds. That's a 104-pound loss! Since losing weight, Cathy feels much better about herself.

For the first time, she has plenty of energy when she gets home from work. She can play with her grand kids and get work done around the house.

The best part about being thinner for Cathy: buying new clothes! Cathy has gotten a whole new wardrobe, and loved every second of shopping for smaller sizes. Her confidence is at an all-time high.

And she receives constant compliments from the people she cooks for every day. Most importantly, Cathy is a happier healthier person today. Way to go, Cathy!

Here's Cathy at her starting weight of 259 pounds:



And here she is today, looking fantastic at 155 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Cathy Turner
Hometown: Casper, Wyo.
Age: 51
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 259 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 155 pounds
Program start date: February 2005

Favorite food: Bread.

Biggest temptation: Work.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to be healthier.

Biggest obstacle: Controlling her urge her to snack at work.

Old eating philosophy: Eating as something to do, not because she was hungry.

New eating philosophy: Making conscientious decisions about her food choices.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling great, and getting compliments.

Best weight loss secret learned: Ask yourself, Do I need this?

Kay Nalbone gets a dose of healthy eating

Developing epilepsy can turn a person's world upside down. Just ask Kay Nalbone of Concord, N.C. Even though seizures could strike without warning, she wasn't letting them control her life.

Kay was diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering a bad fall in 1982. Her new medicines and love for food weren't a good match. The combination caused Kay to pack on the pounds. Before long, she weighed 256.

Walking was difficult for Kay, and she couldn't climb the stairs without having to stop and catch her breath. The extra pounds made her feet, back, and neck ache constantly. Her 5-foot, 5-inch frame struggled to support her weight.

She was also frequently fatigued, and couldn't get through the day without napping. None of her clothes fit right, and she hated shopping in plus-size stores.

Kay's family was worried. Her brother encouraged Kay to lose the pounds. She tried dieting, but always regained the weight. And counting points and calories became too tedious. She just couldn't find a plan that fit her life.

Then she found L A Weight Loss, and liked the concept of learning how to eat healthy for life. She joined her local center in April 2002, determined to drop the pounds.

Kay's personal weight loss counselors helped her adjust her diet, and ensured the foods she ate didn't react negatively with her epilepsy medication. They replaced her daily fast food binges and candy indulgences with well-balanced meals and healthy snacks.

Kay added more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish to her eating plan. And with the help of her L A Lite cookbook, she found new ways to prepare delicious meals.

Today Kay is 103 pounds lighter, now weighing 153! She feels like a whole new person. Her aches and pains are gone, her epilepsy is under more control, and she has plenty of energy to walk three to four times a week without getting winded.

And best of all, Kay can buy clothes from any store! She loves to go shopping, and has filled her closet with cute outfits.

As a daily reminder of how far she's come, Kay keeps a pair of pants she wore when she was her heaviest.

Way to go, Kay! Keep up the fantastic work!

Here's Kay before, at 256 pounds:



And here she is 103 pounds later at 153. Wow! Great job, Kay!



FAST FACTS

Name: Kay Nalbone
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
Age: 54
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 256 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 153 pounds
Program start date: April 2002

Favorite food: Squash casserole.

Biggest temptation: M&M's.

Biggest motivator: Buying cute new clothes.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting chocolate.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything, anytime, anywhere.

New eating philosophy: Eating well-balanced meals.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better, and buying new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Rotate your food so you don't get stuck in a rut.

Erin Bradley succeeds with weight loss 'trickle effect'

You normally measure weight loss success on a scale no larger than a square foot. But in Erin Bradley's case, it was measured on a scale much bigger than that. She calls it the weight loss "trickle effect," and it's the reason behind her new figure.

Her journey to discover it began in high school. Erin wasn't active and didn't eat healthy. She hardly ate fruits and vegetables, and instead consumed a lot of pasta and other carbs. Salty and fried food were her staples.

Erin continued these habits into adulthood, and piled on the pounds. Erin weighed 270 pounds by age 25. The extra weight aggravated Erin's asthma, and she often used an inhaler, especially when she worked out.

She thought about losing weight, but was too embarrassed to talk about it. She tried to work out and eat healthy, but it didn't work. Erin needed a more structured plan that kept her accountable and focused.

But she didn't struggle alone. Her mom, who lived in West Virginia, also battled with her weight, and felt unhappy with herself. Some church friends told Erin's mom to try L A Weight Loss, a program with which they had success. She took the advice and signed up. The trickle effect began!

Erin's mom was soon 40 pounds lighter. Inspired by her success, Erin decided to join the Franklin, Tenn., L A Weight Loss center. She immediately began working with her personal weight loss counselors, Phyllis and Jaime, to develop a customized eating plan that fit her lifestyle.

She incorporated more fruits, vegetables, and seafood into her diet, and cut out salt, red meat, and fried foods. She also learned to cook balanced meals at home, which helped her avoid fattening and unwieldy portions at restaurants. Erin supplemented her eating plan with L A Weight Loss's cereal bars, snacks, and smoothies.

Erin's counselors motivated her to stick to her weight loss regimen by making her accountable for what and how she ate. She followed their guidance, and believed in herself and the program.

She thought her goal was easily within reach. And she was right. In just 10 months, Erin shed 93 pounds!

Now weighing 177 pounds, Erin has a better self-image and more confidence. Her asthma is greatly improved, and she uses her inhaler less frequently. And that means she can work out more often, and is training to run a 5K in January.

Erin says L A Weight Loss is a decision she made for the present and the future, so she can be healthier now and for the rest of her life. And the success is continuing to rub off. Erin has inspired a friend from her church to join L A Weight Loss.

Great to hear, Erin and everyone at church who's found similar success! We're so happy for you!

This is the before Erin, weighing 270 pounds:



And check her out today, 93 pounds lighter at 177! Great job, Erin!



FAST FACTS

Name: Erin Bradley
Hometown: Antioch, Tenn.
Age: 25
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 270 pounds
Goal weight: 178 pounds
Current weight: 177 pounds
Program start date: January 2007

Favorite food: Sushi.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Losing the weight.

Biggest obstacle: Learning how to cook for herself.

Old eating philosophy: Ignoring portion sizes and eating whatever, whenever.

New eating philosophy: Balancing her meals, and eating only when she's hungry.

Best thing about losing weight: Wearing new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Balance your diet.

Dessert diva sweetens her life without the calories

Humans have 32 teeth -- but that doesn't include the sweet tooth! It's inherent in most of us, and one of the biggest causes of weight gain. How can you overcome the natural inclination to reach for the pies, puddings, and pastries? Barb Zaske of Springfield, Mo., found an answer!

She was certainly born with a sweet tooth, as evidenced by her constant consumption of desserts and 65-pound weight gain while pregnant with her daughter. After giving birth, she quickly lost 35 pounds, but the rest wouldn't budge.

At 168 pounds, Barb continued indulging in cookies and cakes, not to mention fried foods and carbs. The weight gain didn't worry her much, until she noticed how sluggish she was. She had little energy to play with her toddler, and no ambition to advance her career as a registered nurse.

Barb also suffered from hip and knee pain. She was depressed and thought everything was wrong with her. She hated the way clothes looked on her, but she didn't know how to fix it.

Then at the end of 2004, she heard about L A Weight Loss's portion control and personalized counseling. Barb thought it sounded like the right plan for her, and signed up as her New Year's resolution.

It proved to be the best way to ring in 2005. L A Weight Loss's counselors and nutrition experts took Barb under their wings and taught her how to eat correct portions of healthy foods. She ate a lot of fish -- shrimp being her favorite!

Barb loved to cook recipes from the L A Lite cookbook, and became aware of which ingredients go into healthy cooking. She made chicken and vegetables a staple, while minimizing fried foods and carbs.

And the sweet cravings? L A Lite bars took care of that. After discovering how good healthy foods taste, she hardly missed the desserts anyway.

L A Weight Loss provided the accountability she needed to stay focused, and the inspiration to have fun along the way. Barb reached just one plateau during her weight loss. But the counselors slightly upped her calorie allotment for the day, and she quickly got back on the losing streak.

In 18 weeks, Barb dropped 29 pounds, and she's kept it off since! At 139 pounds, she is a much happier person now, and is working toward a career in medical sales.

She feels comfortable wearing a bikini and form-fitting clothes. She has a ton of energy to play with her daughter, and no aches or pains. But that's not all. Her success inspired her sister-in-law and niece to get fit and join L A Weight Loss, too.

Barb thanks L A Weight Loss for the ability to live a happier and healthier life! Congrats, Barb!

This is Barb at her heaviest, 168 pounds:



And here she is today, showing off her bikini body at 139 pounds! Looking fab, Barb! Way to go!



FAST FACTS

Name: Barb Zaske
Hometown: Springfield, Mo.
Age: 37
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 168 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 139 pounds
Program start date: January 2005

Favorite food: Soft tacos.

Biggest temptation: Desserts.

Biggest motivator: Feeling better as the weight came off.

Biggest obstacle: Eating right at restaurants.

Old eating philosophy: Eating what she wanted without worrying.

New eating philosophy: Being more aware of what and how she's eating.

Best thing about losing weight: Seeing the results, and energizing her life.

Best weight loss secret learned: Portion control.

Ty Griffin finds secret to everlasting energy

Energy is in short supply these days. No one has enough of it, and we often do ridiculous things to get it. Like drink 12 cups of coffee a day, chug an energy drink on our way out the door, or take pills that promise they'll supply it.

But ask Ty Griffin the best way to get more energy, and he'll tell you something different. His road to discovering his energy-boosting secret started last year.

Ty was a carb addict. In fact, he couldn't start his day without them. He began every morning with four slices of toast. He loved anything and everything that came out of the baker's pan. Breads, rolls, cookies, and cakes were Ty's favorites.

At 173 pounds, he worked out often, but was never fully satisfied with the results and couldn't understand why he wasn't toning up. He tried monitoring his diet, but wasn't successful. Then he was introduced to L A Weight Loss last August.

Ty was handing out flyers for a business he was trying to launch when he began talking with a counselor from the Alpharetta, Ga., L A Weight Loss center. Eventually, their chat turned toward nutrition, and the counselor explained how L A Weight Loss could be the solution to Ty's work-out challenges.

He visited the center for a consultation. He was impressed by the personal counselors, and signed up. It was there that he learned his first and most valuable nutritional tip: portion control. How much you're eating is just as important as what you're eating.

At L A Weight Loss, Ty loved the one-on-one interaction with his counselors. He felt like he had a partner and coach during his weight loss journey. And he learned how to be accountable for what he ate.

Ty adjusted his diet to include more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins; while reducing sweets, snacks, and fried foods. L A Lite bars also helped him cut back on cookies and cakes, while still giving him something sweet.

By monitoring his foods, he was able to find the healthy balance that was perfect for his lifestyle. His wife also kept Ty on track by cooking smart meals for him.

Ty lost 18 pounds and reached his goal weight of 155 in just three weeks! Ty's confidence is now as high as his energy level. He has plenty of stamina for working out, doing Tae Bo, and playing with his kids.

Ty is constantly on his feet at work as a customer service representative for an airline. He is amazed by the amount of energy he has at day's end. He feels completely empowered, and totally in control of his life. And having less weight on his body has enabled him to tone up!

He loves spreading his love for L A Weight Loss, and his wife even lost weight just by eating what Ty eats. He's still in contact with the center, and calls to catch up with his favorite counselors.

For Ty, L A Weight Loss has become much more than just losing weight. It's his secret energy booster! Way to go, Ty!

Here's Ty before, weighing in at 173 pounds:



And here he is now at 155, using up some of his extra energy! Looking great, Ty!



FAST FACTS

Name: Ty Griffin
Hometown: Alpharetta, Ga.
Age: 37
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 173 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 155 pounds
Program start date: August 2006

Favorite food: Grilled chicken.

Biggest temptations: Snacks, waffles, pancakes, and carbs.

Biggest motivator: Being there for his family, and having a healthy conscious.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past the temptation to cheat.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on too many carbs, and not enough vegetables.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy foods in balance.

Best thing about losing weight: Learning how to eat healthier.

Best weight loss secret learned: Work out before you eat. It's OK to eat a little more if you're burning more calories.

Former swimmer waves good-bye to weighty worries

Sure, dropping excess pounds is weight off your body. But it's also weight off your mind. For Rodrigo Zavaleta of San Jose, Costa Rica, that freedom opened a new chapter in his life.

Rodrigo swam for Costa Rica's national team during his teenage years. Practicing twice a day burned a lot of calories and kept him in superb shape. But in his 20s, he stopped swimming, and his weight shot up.

He ate a lot of fast food and Chinese take-out. He rarely had home-cooked meals and avoided vegetables. And without any exercise to burn calories, Rodrigo ballooned to 200 pounds.

When his mother passed away six years ago, Rodrigo became depressed, and ate even more. Soon he weighed 297 pounds.

Breathing was difficult, especially at night. With all the excess weight on his chest, he couldn't lay down or get up easily, and always snored. He couldn't fit comfortably in his car, and his legs and knees constantly ached.

Rodrigo couldn't look in the mirror without feeling disgusted. He tried dieting, but couldn't stick to a plan because he had OCD. He became too anxious for the weight to come off, and when he didn't see immediate results, he quit.

Rodrigo nearly took the drastic step of having gastric bypass surgery. But then he heard about L A Weight Loss. He visited his local San Jose center, and was impressed by the friendliness and care the personal weight loss counselors showed him.

They told him how surgery wasn't necessary. Grateful that he found an easy alternative, Rodrigo signed up.

He worked one-on-one with the weight loss counselors to develop a healthy eating plan. Rodrigo cut out fast food, and learned how to make healthy, simple meals at home. For breakfast, he usually opted for two scrambled eggs with a slice of cheese, yogurt, and toast; while enjoying a sandwich, grilled chicken, or salad for lunch.

Dinners consisted of salad and fruit. And L A Lite bars and fruit rounded out Rodrigo's snacks for the day. Through it all, he leaned on his wife and weight loss counselors for support and motivation.

The weight started to come off quickly. In fact, Rodrigo lost nine pounds the first week! He's kept up his L A Weight Loss regimen, and today weighs 215 pounds! That's 82 pounds gone!

Rodrigo no longer carries the guilt of being heavy. He enjoys walking outside for an hour daily, and plays soccer and basketball with his friends. He can fit into his car without a struggle, and better control his OCD and anxiety. And much to his wife's happiness, he doesn't snore anymore!

The best part about being thinner is feeling alive. Rodrigo enjoys life -- and he's about to enjoy it even more with a new baby on the way. His wife is 12 weeks pregnant!

L A Weight Loss worked for Rodrigo because he learned how to eat healthy. He trusted the L A Weight Loss counselors, and followed their guidance. He loves to talk about L A Weight Loss, and has motivated many friends and family to join the program, too.

Rodrigo looks forward to being a great dad, and continuing to lose weight to regain his swimmer physique.

Great job, Rodrigo! Keep up the fantastic work!

Here's Rodrigo before, feeling guilty at 297 pounds:



Here's Rodrigo today, happy and carefree at 215! Way to go, Rodrigo!



FAST FACTS

Name: Rodrigo Zavaleta
Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica
Age: 35
Height: 5'8"

Starting weight: 297 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 215 pounds
Program start date: March 21, 2006

Favorite food: Cereal.

Biggest temptation: French fries.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from his wife and L A Weight Loss counselors.

Biggest obstacle: Controlling his OCD.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging in junk food.

New eating philosophy: Eating the right foods for his body.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling happy.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat more protein and cut down on carbs.

Woman's weight loss journey's end just the beginning

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." So says the Semisonic song.

Abbey Callender of Caty, Texas, proved the lyrics right, when she embarked on her weight loss journey, and ventured on to a new beginning.

Her weight gain started during her childhood. Abbey was always one of the bigger students in her class -- by height and weight. She felt a bit self-conscious about her weight as she grew, and sometimes tried crash diets to shed extra pounds.

But in her junior year of college, her weight gain really became a problem. She ended a four-year relationship with her boyfriend, the last four months of which were especially rough. She became severely depressed, and sought food for comfort.

Abbey loaded up on fried food, carbs, and sweets. She also consumed a lot of low-calorie and low-fat snacks, thinking she could eat more because they were healthier. But it all added up, and she gained 40 pounds in three months.

The worst part of being heavy was feeling insecure. Abbey didn't like herself, and hated looking in the mirror. Trying on clothes in dressing rooms always ended in tears. She wore over-sized jackets to hide her body.

Abbey was 230 pounds and knew she had to snap out of her misery and change her life. Luck was on her side.

She met Shelley Turner, a weight loss counselor at the Brodie Oaks L A Weight Loss center, through a mutual friend. Shelley told Abbey about L A Weight Loss's one-on-one guidance and portion control, and suggested she try it.

Abbey signed up and never looked back. Shelley and the personal weight loss counselors taught her how to eat the right foods in the right portions. Abbey balanced her diet to include fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, carbohydrates, and dairy.

She also incorporated more fiber into her diet, and cut out excess sodium. And she began grilling food instead of frying it. Abbey didn't even realize how many calories she eliminated from her diet because the food tasted so good.

Today, Abbey is 70 pounds lighter, and now weighs 160 pounds! She finally feels pretty. When she walks into a room, heads turn. And the first time someone told her she was thin, Abbey almost dropped to the floor!

Abbey now shops at trendy stores, and feels energetic and alive. She enjoys working out because she feels healthier.

And best of all, losing weight helped Abbey regain her self-confidence. She entered the dating world again and relished the attention she got from the opposite sex. In fact, she met her current boyfriend toward the end of her weight loss journey, and will soon be engaged!

L A Weight Loss taught Abbey how to eat for the rest of her life. It helped her melt away excess pounds, and she recommends the program to anyone struggling to lose weight. In fact, she motivated two of her friends to join L A Weight Loss, and they've lost 40 and 30 pounds each.

As she says, the result is more than worth the journey! Way to go, Abbey! And good luck with your engagement and new life journey!

This is Abbey before at 230 pounds:



Here she is today, looking fabulous at 160 pounds. Wow, fantastic job, Abbey!



FAST FACTS

Name: Abbey Callender
Hometown: Caty, Texas
Age: 24
Height: 5'10"

Starting weight: 230 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: August 2005

Favorite food: Mexican.

Biggest temptation: Sweets and Mexican food.

Biggest motivator: Seeing the pounds come off.

Biggest obstacle: Losing the last 10 pounds.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything that was convenient and tasted good.

New eating philosophy: Controlling her food intake and drinking more water.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better, looking better, and having more confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: Control your portions and eat balanced meals.

LuAnn Zipp zips to her weight loss goal

Many factors can cause a person to become overweight at an early age: lack of self-control, a sweet tooth, a troublesome childhood, or a family tendency to overeat. But LuAnn Zipp had to deal with them all.

Growing up in San Diego, LuAnn was skinny as a bean pole during childhood, even though obesity ran in her family. It wasn't until adolescence that she began to turn to food as a comfort during difficult events. At age 12, LuAnn gained 107 pounds in one year.

The weight gain didn't stop there. In middle school and high school, she was often picked on for her weight. And the more LuAnn was teased, the more she reached for the candy bars, chips, and huge helpings. So as LuAnn grew older, her waist line grew wider.

Eventually LuAnn met and married Robert Zipp. Robert was a U.S. Marine, and they were soon relocated to Texas, where they started their family. During each of her four pregnancies, LuAnn steadily packed on more weight, soon reaching 310 pounds.

And with the extra pounds, came extra health problems. LuAnn suffered from extreme asthma, high blood pressure, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and acid reflux. In fact, her asthma was so bad she couldn't even sleep through the night, and could never lie flat on her back.

Then LuAnn's grandmother died due to complications from being overweight. LuAnn knew if she was ever going to be healthy and avoid a similar fate, she needed to lose weight.

LuAnn tried a number of diet plans, but nothing worked for her. She knew she had to get serious, and in August 2006, she joined her local Killeen, Texas, L A Weight Loss. Working with her personal weight loss counselors, LuAnn added fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water to her diet.

Instead of skipping meals, and snacking throughout the day, she started taking the time to prepare herself healthy, home cooked meals. While dinner time used to mean huge servings and tons of carbohydrates, it now meant portion control and well-balanced meals.

Then life drastically changed for the Zipps. LuAnn's husband was deployed to Iraq in October 2006. But while her husband was gone, LuAnn continued to drop the pounds, viewing his return as motivation.

After one year with L A Weight Loss, LuAnn shrunk to half her size!!! She reached her weight loss goal, and now weighs in at 155 pounds. The difference is incredible, as LuAnn feels liberated from all the factors that led to her overeating.

Plus, almost all of her health problems are gone, and LuAnn has much more confidence in public. She even joined her local gym!

The best part: When LuAnn sent Robert pictures of her new body, he was shocked. Now, she can't wait for him to come home in December, when the Zipp family will enjoy a whole new kind of Christmas cheer! Way to go, LuAnn!

Here's LuAnn with her husband, weighing in at 301 pounds:



Here she is now, looking amazing at 155 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: LuAnn Zipp
Hometown: Fort Hood, Texas
Age: 30
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 310 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 155 pounds
Program start date: August 2006

Favorite food: Mexican.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Avoiding living the same overweight and unhealthy life that caused her grandmother's death.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting the temptation to cheat.

Old eating philosophy: Eating huge portions and multiple servings.

New eating philosophy: Munching on salads and other vegetables, and drinking a lot of water.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling lighter, and fitting into a size 6!

Best weight loss secret learned: Moderation is the key to everything.

Amanda Rekkedal takes fresh approach to weight loss -- literally

Are you struggling to drop the pounds? What you might need is a fresh approach to weight loss, just like Amanda Rekkedal took.

Amanda always had an average build, until she gave birth to her son, Anthony, at age 22. She gained 35 pounds of baby weight. She was also going through relationship trouble at the time, and didn't have much chance to shed the pounds.

She was also depressed, and food became her diversion. Amanda ate a lot of fast food, pizza, pre-packaged meals, and snacks. She didn't eat breakfast, and instead consumed a lot of food at night. Plus, soda was always in hand, helping her push her weight to 213 pounds.

Worse, Amanda's blood pressure was creeping up. She was always tired, with little energy to go out or play with her son. Amanda knew she was unhealthy, and felt bad about herself as a result.

She then tried a weight loss program, but didn't like counting calories. Plus, the weight was coming off too slow. She soon gave it up. Amanda needed a new approach.

Meanwhile, a friend recently joined L A Weight Loss and was having success. Amanda thought, "If he can do it, so can I. So she signed up.

But her fresh approach to weight loss was about to get even fresher. Amanda worked with the personal weight loss counselors and nutrition experts to nix pre-packaged meals from her diet, and incorporate all fresh foods, including fish, chicken, steak, vegetables, and fruit.

She supplemented her weight loss with L A Lite bars, and other healthy foods the program offered, including smoothies, cookies, and snacks. Amanda also stopped cooking foods in butter and oil, and used Pam instead. Plus, she added new flavor to her foods with fresh herbs and spices.

Amanda liked how she could choose from a variety of foods to lose weight. And her personal weight loss counselors were always there to help her. She loved being able to pick up the phone and call L A Weight Loss for instant advice.

As the pounds dropped, so did Amanda's blood pressure. She started gaining her energy back, and became more motivated to stick with the L A Weight Loss program.

Amanda is now 71 pounds lighter, weighing 142 pounds! She's more active with her son, and takes him to the pool and bike riding. Amanda is also more comfortable going to the gym and working out in public. And she celebrates her new figure by going shopping!

Best of all, Amanda is in a new, supportive relationship. She feels she's a better mom, and overall, a happier and healthier woman. Great job, Amanda!!

This is Amanda before, wallowing at 213 pounds:



And here she is today at a slim 142 pounds. Way to go, Amanda!



FAST FACTS

Name: Amanda Rekkedal
Hometown: Minot, N.D.
Age: 28
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 213 pounds
Goal weight: 144 pounds
Current weight: 142 pounds
Program start date: December 2006

Favorite food: Anything with chicken.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Becoming healthier.

Biggest obstacle: Avoiding temptations.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything that was quicker to prepare.

New eating philosophy: Enjoying fresher foods.

Best thing about losing weight: Looking and feeling better.

Best weight loss secret learned: Variety keeps your metabolism going!

Tolly James tips the scale in his favor

Spiders. Heights. Public speaking. Small places. They're all common fears. But something that should not send a trickle down someone's spine is the bathroom scale. Just ask Tolly James of Killeen, Texas.

Tolly started gaining weight after college. As a military cook, he spent long hours making meals for hundreds of men and women. Being surrounded by food, plus having little time to exercise, equaled weight gain for Tolly.

He soon weighed 240 pounds -- nearly 40 pounds heavier than the military's weight guidelines for someone of his height.

At that point, Tolly left the military and started his own air conditioning and contracting company. But his poor eating habits and low levels of physical activity persisted, and Tolly eventually tipped the scales at 308 pounds.

He suffered from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and constant headaches -- and was afraid to even look at the bathroom scale anymore. Tolly's doctor told him he needed to lose weight. He tried a number of diet plans, but no matter how hard he worked, he always hit plateaus, and could never keep the weight off.

Then in October 2006, Tolly joined his local Killeen, Texas, L A Weight Loss center, committed to making it work this time. He worked diligently with his one-on-one weight loss counselors, who helped him adjust his diet to achieve his weight loss and health goals.

Tolly replaced his usual McDonald's breakfast with homemade eggs and turkey sausage or a hearty bowl of oatmeal. He learned how to make healthy choices throughout the day, and to stay away from fast-food pitfalls.

Tolly also added fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and water to his diet. By focusing on portion control and eating smaller meals throughout the day, Tolly watched his weight drop.

After less than two years on the L A Weight Loss program, Tolly lost 87 pounds! He passed his goal weight of 225 pounds, and currently weighs 219 pounds. His cholesterol, blood pressure, and headaches are down, and his energy level is up.

Tolly's weight loss is also helping him professionally. He doesn't have trouble crawling into tight attic spaces when servicing air conditioners anymore. Plus his new-found energy level lets him play with his kids more, and run one mile every other day. With his self-confidence sky high, Tolly finally feels like he is in control of his body.

And being in control means Tolly no longer fears the bathroom scale. He is proud of his weight, and watches his lifestyle and eating habits to stay on track. He feels he can accomplish anything now! Way to go, Tolly!

Here's Tolly tipping the scales at 308 pounds:



And here he is now, 87 pounds lighter and looking great!



FAST FACTS

Name: Tolly James
Hometown: Killeen, Texas
Age: 39
Height: 6'1"

Starting weight: 308 pounds
Goal weight: 225 pounds
Current weight: 219 pounds
Program start date: October 2006

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: Sweets and pastries.

Biggest motivator: Losing weight to improve his health.

Biggest obstacle: Buying cheap food instead of healthy food.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever was around.

New eating philosophy: Eating everything in moderation, especially starches.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining control and being healthy.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat small meals every two to three hours.