No family duty too great for Andrea Floyd

Caring for a family is a huge responsibility. But unlike most mothers, Andrea Floyd had double duty as she cared for two. Unfortunately, it left her with little time to watch her own health.

When Andrea was 16, her mother was placed in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, her father suffered from diabetes and her sister from mental disability. Andrea supported them. After she married, her entire family moved in with her so she could continue to help them.

Soon she had a family of her own to care for, too. Andrea juggled raising three children, caring for her husband, and supporting three ailing adults. With little personal time remaining, Andrea became a stress eater, and used her few free moments to grab fast food.

Her waistline grew. She usually dined on fried foods, and had a weakness for all things chocolate. Before she knew it, she weighed 207 pounds.

In 2005, Andrea was dealt even more devastating news when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. But Andrea kept her hopes and determination high, and continued to do her best to fulfill her familial obligations.

After undergoing surgery, she became cancer-free in October of that year. But Andrea still wasn't healthy. Her goal now was to lose weight.

In January 2006, Andrea joined her local Greenville, S.C., L A Weight Loss center. She was paired with a one-on-one counselor who helped her get her diet in check. Andrea cut down on red meat, and eliminated her fast food binges. She also cut down on sweet snacks.

She replaced these L A Weight Loss no-no's with fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and water. Andrea learned how to make smart snack choices with L A Weight Loss biscotti cookies, and starting bringing her Controltrim with her when traveling and eating out.

Andrea also added more physical activity to her daily routine. She started walking her dog every night, and took an extra stroll when the weather was warm.

She also did the little things, such as parking further away from stores, taking stairs instead of elevators, and squeezing walks into her lunch breaks for some afternoon energy.

It's paid off. After one year on the program, Andrea has lost 41 pounds. At 166 pounds, she's only 12 pounds away from her goal weight of 154.

Andrea is thrilled with her progress, and knows that she's done everything she can to ensure she'll be around for her family for a long time. She's so glad she took this extra step to getting healthy!

Her family is also very proud of her, and so are we! Congratulations, Andrea! You're an inspiration, and your family is blessed to have you!

Here's Andrea at 207 pounds:



And here she is today, looking fantastic (and a picture of health) at 166 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Andrea Floyd
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
Age: 35
Height: 5' 6"

Starting weight: 207 pounds
Goal weight: 154 pounds
Current weight: 166 pounds
Program start date: January 2007

Favorite food: Snack cakes and chocolate.

Biggest temptation: Fried foods.

Biggest motivator: Feeling healthier and looking better.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting eating too many carbs.

Old eating philosophy: Binging on fast food combo meals.

New eating philosophy: Eating more fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Fitting into all of her clothes, and looking better in them.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink plenty of water.

New breakfasts for champions

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But are you tired of the same old cold cereal, and can't find anything that's tasty and healthy? Good thing you've turned to My L A Weight Loss Diary.

Below are two of our favorite breakfast recipes from the L A Lite Cookbook to spice up any morning routine. Each can be made in just minutes.

Breakfast Burrito

Nonfat cooking spray
1 Tbsp. diced green pepper
1 Tbsp. chopped green onion
1 cup egg substitute
1/4 tsp. lite salt
1 Tbsp. diced tomato
1/2 whole wheat tortilla
1 oz. reduced-fat pepper jack cheese
1 Tbsp. fat-free sour cream

Coat medium skillet with nonfat cooking spray. Heat over high heat. Add pepper and onion to skillet. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes, or until vegetables start to soften.

Pour egg substitute into skillet, distributing evenly. Sprinkle with lite salt. Once eggs are cooked through, turn down heat; add tomatoes, cook 1 minute until tomatoes are warm.

Place egg in middle of tortilla; top with cheese. Roll up tortilla into a burrito. Top with fat-free sour cream.

Sevings: 1



French Toast

1/2 cup egg substitute
1 Tbsp. skim milk
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of sugar substitute
2 slices lite bread
Nonfat cooking spray
12 strawberries, sliced

Combine egg substitute, milk, spices, and sugar substitute in a shallow bowl; mix well. Add slices of lite bread to egg mixture and let stand until egg mixture is absorbed.

Coat skillet with nonfat cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Place bread in skillet and brown on both sides.

Place on serving dish; top with sliced strawberries.

Servings: 1



For more healthy breakfast delights that help you start any morning off right, talk to your L A Weight Loss counselor and grab a copy of our cookbook at your local center.

South Carolina woman plants seeds of health

Willie Cox was never much of a gardener. Throughout her life, she related more to couch potatoes than growing potatoes. But all that would change when she hit 233 pounds.

She spun the scales because of one thing. She enjoyed her dinners fried and her snacks sweet. As Willie aged, though, she worried that her weight would become a major health problem. She already had asthma, and needed knee-replacement surgery after an injury. The extra weight made recovery twice as difficult.

Willie also suffered from shortness of breath. She couldn't walk up stairs without gasping for air. Her mother and three sisters -- all of whom were overweight -- had diabetes, and Willie knew she was on the fast track to a similar fate.

Willie tried a number of diets, but couldn't kept the weight off. At 233 pounds, Willie decided to try L A Weight Loss. In January 2006, the 59-year-old joined the Greenville, S.C., center, where she was paired with a one-on-one weight loss counselor.

Her counselor taught her simple tips and tricks to give her diet a healthy makeover. She cut out her candy binges, and ate more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Willie also began baking chicken instead of frying it. For a fat-reducing boost, she added L A Weight Loss's Controltrim to her baked goods, salad dressings, and sauces.

Adding the fresh fruits and vegetables was easy for Willie. As she lost weight, she gained energy to work in her garden, where she grew corn, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers, and tomatoes. With all the good food coming in, it wasn't long before Willie's weight loss gained momentum.

To further accelerate her weight loss, Willie walked regularly. As the pounds melted away, she increased her distance. Every mile made a difference.

After two years on the program, Willie has sailed past her weight loss goal of 170 pounds and now weighs 162 pounds, for a total weight loss of 71 pounds.

Losing weight has changed Willie's life. She feels younger than ever, and can carry her grandson without getting tired, something she couldn't do before.

Willie feels much better about herself. Her husband loves the progress she's made, and tells her every day she's beautiful. He also built a home gym in their backyard for Willie to maintain her weight loss.

Willie's dive into healthy living proves that eating healthy can be as easy as planting a seed and watching it grow. Way to go, Willie!

Here's Willie at 233 pounds in 2006:



And here she is today, 71 pounds lighter at 162 pounds. Smoking!



FAST FACTS

Name: Willie Cox
Hometown: Travelers Rest, S.C.
Age: 61
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 233 pounds
Goal weight: 170 pounds
Current weight: 162 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Spinach.

Biggest temptation: Gummy Bears.

Biggest motivator: Receiving constant support from her personal counselor.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past plateaus.

Old eating philosophy: Eating fried foods and binging on sweet temptations.

New eating philosophy: Baking instead of frying, and eating plenty of vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to carry her grandson.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can lose weight and maintain it if you stick with the program.

Old habits die easy for Jack Miller

Whoever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks never met Jack Miller. He was overweight his entire life. He had bad eating habits, and he knew it. But he was set in his ways. As Jack aged, those extra pounds became extra trouble.

Reaching 364 pounds, he suffered from joint and back pain, and high blood pressure. Jack needed a stocked cabinet of medications just to make it through each day. He joked that when he died, his wife wouldn't be able to carry him to the cemetery.

No one liked seeing Jack struggle. His wife encouraged him to lose weight, but Jack didn't know which direction to turn. He tried a number of diets, but nothing worked. Then one day his wife brought home information on L A Weight Loss. It seemed like the perfect fit.

So in March 2007, Jack joined his local Woodstock, Ga., L A Weight Loss center. He worked with his one-on-one weight loss counselor, Linda, who developed a personalized eating plan to fit his lifestyle.

Jack didn't want to have to give up the foods he loved, and was happy when he learned he didn't have to. In fact, he was able to eat almost exactly what he ate before, just in proper portions. He found that cutting out excess fried foods and sweets accelerated his weight loss.

Jack diligently followed his weight loss plan, doing everything by the book. The more he lost, the more motivated he became, and the easier it was to stick to his plan.

Jack loved watching the numbers on the scale drop at his L A Weight Loss meetings each week. Plus, the support he received from his wife and counselors at the center were constant encouragement.

As Jack's weight decreased, so did his need for medications. His ailments dissipated, and soon he was off all of his medications.

Jack's goal was to lose 100 pounds by Christmas 2007, and he did it! He's lost five more pounds since December, currently weighing 259 pounds.

Jack feels better than he has in years. He can work in the yard all day without resting, and enjoys the outdoors much more. Bending down isn't a problem either.

Even better, his relationship with his wife has improved, and his family is happy he's done everything he can to ensure he'll be around for as long as possible.

Way to go, Jack! We're happy for you too!

Here's Jack during his first L A Weight Loss meeting at 364 pounds:



And here he is today at 259 pounds. Way to go, Jack!



FAST FACTS

Name: Jack Miller
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
Age: 66
Height: 6'

Starting weight: 364 pounds
Goal weight: 225 pounds
Current weight: 259 pounds
Program start date: March 2007

Favorite food: Seafood.

Biggest temptation: Nothing, he had tough determination!

Biggest motivator: Watching the weight come off.

Biggest obstacle: None, because losing weight felt better than any food tasted.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever he wanted until he was stuffed.

New eating philosophy: Being selective about what he eats, and using portion control.

Best thing about losing weight: Improving his health.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stick with your portion control!

Halfway through the Atlanta Weight Loss Challenge!

We’re at the halfway mark in the Atlanta Weight Loss Controltrim Challenge, and things are really heating up. With all 10 women melting off the pounds, it’ll be a race to the finish to see who loses the most weight.

Our competitors have lost 121 pounds in three months by following the L A Weight Loss program guidelines and incorporating Controltrim -- L A Weight Loss’s new fat replacement product that can be added to baked goods, sauces, and dressings -- into their diet.

Conyers’ Alora Gaddy is still the biggest loser, shedding 22 pounds so far. Leading the pack for the second month in a row, her motivation has spiked. She is well on her way to reaching her goal of 138.

Hot on Alora’s heels are our next four losers, including Susie Powell, McDonough, down 19 pounds; Theresa Conklin, Dacula, down 18 pounds; Kari Conkle, Hampton, down 16 pounds; and Dawn Flemming, Conyers, down 15 pounds.

The women will continue to follow their L A Weight Loss programs while incorporating Controltrim into their meals. Those who meet their goal weight by May 16 will be reimbursed for the program fee, and one grand prize winner will win a $1,000 shopping spree.

Keep checking in each month to see the results of the challenge. It's getting exciting!

Here's Alora at 166 pounds, 22 pounds lighter than her starting weight two months ago:

Betty Barrington leads family to diet makeover

It's a familiar saying. You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. Well, sometimes you can't choose your family eating habits either, as Betty Barrington of Oklahoma can attest.

Betty grew up in a household of unhealthy over-eaters. She and her family weren't taught proper nutrition and the importance of a balanced meal.

As a result, Betty constantly chowed down on fried foods and sweets, and ate out often. Her favorite food was Mexican. It's no surprise, then, the pounds increased as Betty aged.

Before she knew it, Betty weighed 258 pounds. She was depressed and had no self confidence. Then in 1997, she developed fibromyalgia, a disease that causes chronic widespread pain and fatigue.

She suffered from flu-like symptoms and lack of energy. On top of that, she worried about her low blood pressure.

Betty's wake-up call to lose weight came when her obese sister was diagnosed with diabetes. Her doctor warned her that she was on the fast track for a similar fate if she didn't get healthy. Betty tried a number of diets, but nothing took the weight off and kept it off.

In March 2007, Betty tried something different. She joined her local Durant, Okla., L A Weight Loss center. Working closely with her personal counselor, Paula, Betty learned the ins and outs of eating right.

She cut out most of the fried foods, sugary snacks, and red meat from her diet, and replaced them with lean meats, vegetables, fruit, and other healthy alternatives. Betty also kept a journal to track her daily food consumption. This helped her stay focused.

It wasn't long before the weight started to melt away. Betty's lost 88 pounds, and currently weighs 170 pounds!

She attributes much of her success to Paula, who helped her through the tough plateaus and challenges. She's very thankful she stuck with the plan. Since dropping the pounds, Betty feels like a new woman.

Gone are the negative thoughts about herself. She has more energy than ever before, and can do more things, such as bending down to touch her toes and exercise.

Betty never worries about squeezing into a seat, and is comfortable everywhere she goes. Even better, all of her pain is gone. There's nothing holding Betty back these days!

Betty loves her new size, but is determined to lose even more. Each day she's getting closer to her ideal weight of 158 pounds. We know you can do it, Betty!

Betty's success has motivated the rest of her family to get healthy too. Her brother and sister recently joined L A Weight Loss. It looks like Betty is leading the way for a complete family diet makeover. Great job, Betty!

Here's Betty before she started the L A Weight Loss program at 258 pounds:



And here she is looking better than ever at 170 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Betty Barrington
Hometown: Durant, Okla.
Age: 58
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 258 pounds
Goal weight: 158 pounds
Current weight: 170 pounds
Program start date: March 2007

Favorite food: Salad with grilled chicken.

Biggest temptation: Mexican food.

Biggest motivator: Watching the numbers on the scale drop.

Biggest obstacle: Dealing with chronic low blood pressure while trying to eat healthier.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything she wanted, anytime she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy foods in moderation.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling in complete control, and shopping for smaller clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: It's easier to control your diet when you cook at home.

Lisa McNeil's February update

Lisa McNeil is glowing with pride lately. Now 9 pounds into her weight loss journey, Lisa weighs 341 pounds. Her spirits are high, and they should be -- she's shed almost eight inches from her waist line. Keep up the great work, Lisa!

Here's an updated picture of 341-pound Lisa:



And here she is in her third video, more determined than ever to keep going:

Sweet Valentine's Day recipes for your sweetie

Looking for something sweet to make for your sweetie this Valentine's Day, but want to avoid the heavy cheesecakes, chocolate mousse, and crème bruele? We've got just the ticket!

Below are two delicious desserts from the L A Lite cookbook that you can serve to make this Valentine's Day a memorable one, without packing on the pounds.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

1 packet LA Lite Chocolate Shake mix
1/2 cup water
9 medium strawberries

Mix L A Lite Chocolate Shake Mix with 1/2 cup water. Dip strawberries into chocolate mixture and place on waxed paper. Chill for one hour before serving.



Sugarless Heart Cookies

3/4 cup margarine, softened
1 package mixed fruit sugar-free gelatin
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder

In a mixing bowl, cream together the margarine and gelatin. Beat in the egg substitute and vanilla. Mix together the flour and baking powder and add to the egg mixture, mixing well. Chill for one hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the dough mixture out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.

Cut out cookies with heart-shaped cookie cutter (or any shape you desire). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 6-7 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned and the cookies are set. Cool on wire racks.

For some more low-fat, low-calorie desserts, be sure to check out our sweets section of the L A Lite cookbook, available at your local center.

South Carolina songbird finds her wings

Alison Thackston has a passion for singing. And when someone loves stretching her vocal chords as much as she does, nothing can stop her from belting out a tune. Except, as Alison found out, extra weight.

It was a life-long struggle for Alison. And as she aged, the problems associated with being overweight worsened. Reaching 213 pounds in her 40s, Alison suffered from asthma, acid reflux, high blood pressure, joint and back pain, and lack of flexibility.

The extra pounds made her lethargic, and Alison couldn't bend over to touch her toes. She was depressed, and felt completely dependent on other people.

Worse, the weight on her lungs made singing at her church and community center difficult. She couldn't hold long notes or hit the ranges she knew she could reach.

Alison understood losing weight was the only way to get healthy. After trying a laundry list of unsuccessful fad diets, she visited a nutritionist. After her first consultation, she learned her diet was making her sick, and fad weight loss programs just wouldn't cut it.

So Alison signed up at her local Greenville, S.C., L A Weight Loss center in September 2006, ready to change her diet and life. She was paired with a one-on-one weight loss counselor who helped her see the error of her eating ways.

Alison's counselors designed a meal plan that fit her life. She eliminated trips to fast food stops and baked-good binges. She replaced fatty and fried foods with lean meats, vegetables, fruit, and plenty of water.

Even better, Alison incorporated exercise into her daily routine. She started walking 45 to 60 minutes six days a week, and joined a gym. Through it all, she received constant support from her mother and L A Weight Loss counselors, who kept her motivated through her weight loss plateaus.

It wasn't long before the diet change and exercise paid off. As Alison's weight dropped, she gained stamina to work out longer. Her health problems disappeared one by one.

Alison reached and surpassed her weight loss goal in February 2007. She's 80 pounds slimmer at 133! She feels the best she's ever felt. She can breathe easily, and is off all of her medications. She also has more energy and confidence, and never has trouble fitting into restaurant booths or plane seats. And Alison loves shopping for her new size 6 figure!

Overall, Alison feels like an entirely new woman. She's completely independent and at peace with herself. And she sings longer, louder, and better than ever before. Way to go, Alison!

Here's Alison at her heaviest of 213 pounds:



And here she is today, looking fantastic at 133 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Alison Thackston
Hometown: Simpsonville, S.C.
Age: 49
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 213 pounds
Goal weight: 138 pounds
Current weight: 133 pounds
Program start date: September 2006

Favorite food: Potatoes.

Biggest temptation: Family parties.

Biggest motivator: Her mom.

Biggest obstacle: Making smart food choices when away from home.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on fast food and sweets.

New eating philosophy: Eating more vegetables than ever before.

Best thing about losing weight: Not needing her medications anymore.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can maintain your weight after losing.

A new spin on some old favorites

We all have our classic favorite meals: peanut butter and jelly, fish and chips, or spaghetti and meatballs. The only problem is, these comfort foods are usually loaded with trans fat and calories. But what if you could get your favorite dishes in a healthy helping?

Below are two of our favorite classics, with a healthy spin, from the L A Lite Cookbook. Not only do they contain a good dose of protein and calcium, but they're favorites the whole family can enjoy.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups skim milk
Freshly ground pepper
8 oz. shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1 lb. macaroni
Nonfat cooking spray

Over medium heat, melt butter in medium saucepan. Add flour and stir until pasta forms.

Remove from heat and add the cold milk a little at a time, stirring well with each addition.

Return to heat once all the milk is added and the mixture is smooth. Stir over medium heat until sauce comes to a boil and slightly thickens. Pepper to taste.

Remove from heat and add the shredded cheddar. Stir until cheese melts. Preheat broiler. Meanwhile, cook macaroni in rolling boiling water according to package directions. Drain and toss with cheese sauce.

Transfer to a medium baking dish that has been coated with nonfat cooking spray. Place under broiler until browned and bubbly, about 3-4 minutes.

Servings: 8



Meatloaf

1 lb. lean ground sirloin
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup egg substitute
2 Tbsp. dried onion
1 tsp. low-sodium Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1/4 tsp. lite salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
3 Tbsp. ketchup, divided
Nonfat cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all ingredients, reserving 2 Tbsp. of ketchup. Form into loaf.

Coat loaf pan with nonfat cooking spray. Place meatloaf in pan. Spoon remaining ketchup on top of loaf and spread evenly.

Bake about 45 minutes or until desired doneness. To be sure meat is fully cooked, insert thermometer and bake until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

Servings: 4