Gabe Guillen's beef cutback that cut his belt

Futbol (soccer), telenovelas (soap operas), and muralism (murals) are core elements of Hispanic culture. But if you asked Gabe Guillen of Texas which one was most important to his family, he'd tell you none of the above. That's because his answer was food.

Fajitas, enchiladas, beans, rice, and nachos were daily staples of Gabe's diet. Portions were large and multiple, and everything was served with beef. When he wasn't chowing down on chimichangas, Gabe was grabbing fast food.

It's no surprise Gabe was overweight, as were most members of his family. His weight steadily increased from high school, and so did his health problems. Gabe suffered from high blood pressure and the headaches that accompanied it.

Worse, he was always trying to catch his breath, and simple activities like grocery shopping became heavy burdens. He didn't like being so overweight, and was embarrassed that he couldn't bend over at work. He tried to hide his waistline by letting his shirt hang out.

Finally, at 388 pounds, Gabe got serious. He was ready to lose weight. Gabe joined his local Lubbock, Texas, L A Weight Loss center in July 2006, and was set up with a personal weight loss counselor. He visited the center every week for his one-on-one weight loss sessions, and learned how to eat right while still eating what he loves.

He cut back on red meat, and replaced much of the beef with chicken. Gabe also added fruits and vegetables to his meals, and drank plenty of water throughout the day. Most importantly, he learned about portion control.

It wasn't long before Gabe's weight began to drop. Since he joined L A Weight Loss, Gabe has lost 171 pounds. He sailed past his goal weight of 250 pounds to an end weight of 217 pounds. Way to go, Gabe!

Life has gotten much easier. Gabe's health has improved, his headaches are gone, and he's off his blood pressure medication. Plus, Gabe loves being able to do the little things, such as bending down to tie his own shoes. And you won't find this Texan hiding his waistline anymore. He loves wearing belts.

Even better, Gabe's energy has skyrocketed. He's joined a gym, and enjoys playing racquetball with friends and running on the treadmill with his wife, who has also benefited from Gabe's L A Weight Loss program. His good eating habits rubbed off on her, and she's lost 50 pounds!

Greg feels that losing weight has changed his entire life. He's happy, healthier, and knows he'll be around for his two children and three grandchildren for a long time. Congrats, Gabe!

Here's Gabe, fully immersed in the Hispanic culture at 388 pounds:



And here he is today showing off his new waistline at a happy, healthy 217 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Gabe Guillen
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Age: 41
Height: 5'10"

Starting weight: 388 pounds
Goal weight: 250 pounds
Current weight: 217 pounds
Program start date: July 2006

Favorite food: Mexican food.

Biggest temptation: Buffalo wings.

Biggest motivator: Seeing the weight drop off quickly each week.

Biggest obstacle: Getting used to eating the right way and staying focused.

Old eating philosophy: Constantly eating fajitas, enchiladas, nachos, and McDonald's.

New eating philosophy: Making meals with grilled chicken, broccoli, or carrots and salads.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to wear a belt and tuck in his shirts.

Best weight loss secret learned: The right foods and portions will keep the weight off for life.