Former model returns to the spotlight

Models depend on their bodies for their jobs. So what happens when their bodies are no longer the slender figures that got them in front of the cameras in the first place? Diana Rahn can tell you.

Diana was used to being thin and looking good. In fact, her career as a Playboy bunny in the 1970s depended on it. So when Diana married and had a baby in her 20s, she managed to stay fit as a fiddle.

Losing the baby weight after her second child was harder, but she still returned to her pre-baby weight. When, at age 45, she had her third child, losing weight was almost impossible.

With a slower metabolism, and three children to care for, Diana couldn't shed the baby weight. A healthy size 8 for years, Diana was struggling to squeeze into size 12. And she didn't like what she saw in the mirror.

Diana wasn't feeling her best, either. She had high cholesterol, and was on medication for high blood pressure. Worse, she was out of shape and always out of breath.

Still, Diana ate what her children ate, and thought that running around caring for them was all the exercise she needed. She couldn't understand why she wasn't dropping the pounds. Diana tried a number of diets and even joined a gym, but nothing worked.

Then she heard a story about a woman who lost weight for her high school reunion. The woman's secret: L A Weight Loss. Diana decided to give it a try. In 2005, she joined her local Madison, Wis., L A Weight Loss center, and was paired with a personal weight loss counselor.

For Diana, the one-on-one attention made all the difference. She added more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water to her diet. And she learned the most important weight loss key to success: portion control.

Diana's personal meetings also held her accountable for what she ate. She appreciated the focus she received during each session, and also credits her food diary with keeping her conscious of what she ate.

Before she knew it, the weight began to melt away. Diana lost 15 pounds, and reached her goal weight of 140! She looks better, feels better, and even fits into size 6 pants!

Diana loves that she can shop at name-brand stores for clothes. And she loves the way people treat her now that she's lost weight. Her own success has even inspired others to join L A Weight Loss.

In the meantime, Diana has big plans for her new body. She's been lifting weights and exercising so she can enter the L A Weight Loss LYCRA bikini contest. Even better, Diana is planning to submit photos to Playboy for a "30 years later" layout.

Once a bunny, always a bunny. And Diana has certainly earned her place in front of the camera. Way to go, Diana!

Here's Diana at 155 pounds:



And here she is now at 140 pounds:




FAST FACTS

Name: Diana Rahn
Hometown: Lodai, Wis.
Age: 50
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 155 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Program start date: August 2005

Favorite food: Breads.

Biggest temptation: Carbs.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to fit into her size 8 and 10 clothes, and not wanting to fill her closet with larger sizes.

Biggest obstacle: Saying no to temptation.

Old eating philosophy: Eating large portions.

New eating philosophy: Eating correct portions of everything.

Best thing about losing weight: Receiving encouragement and compliments.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat the right portions, drink a lot of water, and exercise, and you WILL lose weight.