Which burger is best?

Who can resist a fat, juicy burger hot off the grill during the summer? You might feel like there aren't any healthy summertime options for you at your next Bar-b-que. Well, I'm here to tell you that you're wrong! I've pulled together a list of some of the most nutritious burger choices for anyone trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

There are many more options to consider than your typical beef burger. Ground Beef patties are usually high in calories and saturated fat. Beef contains a fair amount of vitamins and minerals, but so doe other lower fat options like a Turkey Burger. Ground Turkey is a flavorful option that contains less of the 'bad' saturated fat and a higher level of good 'polyunsaturated fat.'

If it is red meat you crave, consider adding Buffalo/Bison Burgers to your BBQ repertoire. It's much lower in fat than beef, but is just as nutrient-dense, with high levels of important nutrients like iron and B vitamins.

Salmon is another great option for the BBQ. Salmon burgers are low in saturated fat and a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, something you won't find in any other 'burger' you choose. Salmon is also a good source of calcium, but beware of hidden calories with salmon burgers with bread fillers.

If you need to reduce your cholesterol, veggie burgers are guaranteed to be cholesterol free and packed with great grilling ability. Burgers made from mushroom, fire roasted green peppers, or beans contain less fat and usually less calories than their meaty counterparts, which will save space for a small piece of that must have apple pie at your next backyard gathering.

I hope this helps for all those summer BBQ's you have on your calendar. Be sure to check in for some great summer recipes and tips all summer long!

L A Weight Loss client Lisa Skiles makes her debut in Good Housekeeping

We first introduced you to Lisa Skiles way back in November 2006. Lisa caught our attention for losing 102 pounds in 8 months, and keeping it off for five years. A year and a half later, the weight is still a thing of Lisa's past, and she's gracing the pages of June's Good Housekeeping!

Catch Lisa's incredible weight loss story on magazine shelves today.

Heather Weibel steps into a healthier life

Lives can be measured in different ways: years lived, degrees earned, marathons completed. Heather Weibel measures her life in steps ... literally.

Although Heather grew up in a household of overweight family members, weight wasn't a problem for her. She liked getting outside, talking walks, and enjoying the sunshine. But that changed when she got pregnant.

She gained weight with her first son, and couldn't shed the baby weight. By the time she gave birth to her second son, she was 100 pounds heavier than her pre-motherhood form.

For 10 years, Heather struggled with her weight and health. Walking became difficult, due to her back, knee, hip, and joint problems. She could barely make it up the stairs without losing her breath.

She also developed diabetes, and her doctor told her she would be on insulin for the rest of her life if she didn't drop the pounds.

Meanwhile, Heather's sister had joined L A Weight Loss and was successfully losing weight. Inspired by her success, Heather and her father joined their local Great Falls, Mo., L A Weight Loss center in 2005.

Heather was paired with a one-on-one weight loss counselor who taught her easy ways to make every meal healthy and filling without excess fats and calories. Heather cut out fast and fried food binges, and reduced her salty snack intake. She added fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats such as grilled chicken to her meals.

These simple adjustments were all Heather needed to start melting away the pounds. As her weight decreased, her energy increased. She began exercising to supercharge her weight loss.

Her new routine has changed Heather's life. After dropping 140 pounds, Heather now weighs 150 pounds! Her friends and family are so proud of her, and she feels like strangers are friendlier to her.

Heather has enough energy to exercise one hour a day, six days a week. To make sure she's staying on track, she carries a pedometer with her every day. Heather makes sure she always takes 20,000 steps a day. It's 20,000 steps towards a healthier life.

Heather is able to do things she could never do before, such as play with her kids at the playground. She loves shopping now. Even better, she loves how she looks. Heather never wore makeup before, but now she loves getting dolled up.

Not only does Heather look good, she feels great. She is much more confident, with all of her pain subsided and weight in check.

Here's Heather at 296 pounds:



And here she is today at 150 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Heather Weibel
Hometown: Great Falls, Mo.
Age: 30
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 296 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 150 lbs
Program start date: January 2005

Favorite food: Smoothies.

Biggest temptation: Junk food.

Biggest motivator: Praying while losing weight.

Biggest obstacle: Learning how to avoid food binges.

Old eating philosophy: Eating heavy foods, fried foods, fatty snacks, and soda.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy alternatives with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Curing her physical pains.

Best weight loss secret learned: Staying positive can help you lose weight.

Kim Scheffler featured on cover of this week's People Magazine

L A Weight Loss client Kim Scheffler was selected from thousands of women across the country for People Magazine’s annual 100 pounds or more feature, which just hit newsstands today. Her remarkable bikini photo also made the front cover of People Magazine, along with Ashlee Simpson.

A few weeks ago, Kim was flown down to sunny Miami for a photo shoot with People Magazine for their annual feature. And yesterday, she hit the skies again, this time to New York City for an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America. I accompanied Kim for her national TV appearance as she received recognition for her remarkable weight loss success.

But the afternoon got even better. Kim had interviews with the Entertainment shows, EXTRA, Inside Edition, and The Insider, which asked how she dropped a whopping 100 pounds just in time for bikini season.

Modeling kept Kim thin for most of her life. But then her beauty career was put on the back-burner so she and her husband could start a family. Kim soon found she had little time to care for herself.

Besides tending to a house of children, Kim and her husband started their own business. Between work, meetings, lunches, and household chores, Kim was overwhelmed, and her weight slipped away as a consequence.

After years of steadily packing on pounds, Kim barely recognized herself. She hated the way she looked. She often noticed people staring at her in public, she never wanted to be in pictures, and couldn’t stand to be seen in a bathing suit. Her health also suffered, as Kim experienced constant joint pain and shortness of breath.

Kim hit rock bottom during a routine doctor’s visit in 2006. The scale read 237 pounds, and she knew she had to do something. She tried dieting on her own, but it didn’t work. Then one of her daughters suggested L A Weight Loss.

In November of that year, Kim joined her local San Antonio, Texas, L A Weight Loss center. She was paired with a one-on-one weight loss counselor, who quickly became not only Kim’s nutrition guru, but her constant source of encouragement.

Kim added more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats to her meals, and always kept an L A Lite Bar on hand for a sweet treat. Kim never went hungry, and she never felt deprived.

After nine months on the program, Kim lost 103 pounds, and went from a size 18 to a slender size 4. Now at 134 pounds, she says, “Losing weight has put me in control of my life again. I can finally do the things I’ve always loved -- like fishing with my husband or hiking with my children -- that I could have never done when I was heavy. Life is fun again. Best of all, I’m comfortable in my skin.”

Kim’s joint pain has disappeared, and breathing is never a problem. And thanks to her boost in energy, Kim is in the best shape of her life. She feels 10 years younger, and looks it too! Look out, beauty pageants girls!

Kim attributes her weight loss success to the constant support of her counselors and family. Thanks to their love and encouragement, Kim reached her goal and feels more productive, energized, and healthier than ever before.

Here's Kim on the cover of People Magazine:



Here she is at 237 pounds:



And here she is today at a stunning 138 pounds:

Canadian woman takes permanent vacation from obesity

Most people would jump at the chance to go Hawaii. But when you're overweight like Gail Miller was, tropical getaways aren't always a vacation.

When Gail's friend invited her to Hawaii in January 2007, the Nanaimo, British Columbia, native didn't think about white beaches, big waves, or ukuleles. She could only think about about bulging out of bathing suits. In the end, Gail was too embarrassed to take the trip.

At 192 pounds, Gail had more serious problems than putting on a swimsuit. She never lost the baby weight after her third child was born, and was paying for it 30 years later with high blood pressure and thyroid problems.

She never had breakfast on time and depended on tons of coffee to get her going. She snacked on chips, soda, crackers, and cookies before dinner. And every Friday, she indulged in pizza, wine, and cheese.

With all that extra weight slowing her down, getting through each day was exhausting. Gail took diet pills her doctors prescribed, but didn't change her eating habits or exercise.

Gail tried dieting off and on for years, but nothing stuck. She always felt like she needed a little more one-on-one support. Then she heard about L A Weight Loss and its personalized weight loss counselors.

The plan sounded like exactly what she needed. She joined her local Nanaimo, British Columbia, L A Weight Loss center.

With the help of her weight loss counselor, Gail realized her eating habits were packing on the pounds while draining her energy. Her counselor taught her how to energize her body with healthy foods, while slimming it down.

She started eating high-fiber cereals, fruits, and L A Lite Bars for breakfast, with only two cups of coffee. She substituted high-fat snacks with vegetables, rice cakes, and turkey bacon.

Fueled by her healthier diet, Gail started doing high-intensity, 30-minute workouts at a local gym. She also walked her dogs as much as possible. The pounds quickly disappeared.

After less than a year on the L A Weight Loss program, Gail has shed 47 pounds. Now, at 145 pounds, she's gained new confidence. Even her husband and children have noticed, and can't stop dishing out the compliments.

Gail landed a new job to match her new figure too. Now, when she gets the invite to tropical destinations like Hawaii, Gail will be the first one on the beach. Great job, Gail!

Here's Gail at 192 pounds, trying to cover up:



And here she is at 145 pounds, ready to show it off!



FAST FACTS

Name: Gail Miller
Hometown: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Age: 54
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 192 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 145 pounds
Program start date: June 2007

Favorite food: White chicken breast.

Biggest temptation: Having a glass of wine every night.

Biggest motivator: Slimming down for her trip, and getting encouragement from her husband.

Biggest obstacle: Trying to eat healthy foods.

Old eating philosophy: Eating morning, noon, and night.

New eating philosophy: Eating only when she's hungry.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: There's no secrets, just be smart!

Keeping your kids healthy

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States. Fifteen percent of children are medically obese, and another 15 percent are at risk for becoming obese. And childhood obesity is no picnic.

Overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults, and have a significantly higher risk for life threatening conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep problems, and cancer. They are also at a higher risk for disorders such as liver disease, early puberty, eating disorders, skin infections, and asthma.

The easiest way to protect your child from obesity is to teach them the right eating habits when they're young. That's why we brought in Sandra Maltzman to tell all about the right things to feed your kids.

Robbie Miller puts a stop to stop signs

When you're overweight, it seems the world is filled with stop signs. There are many things you just can't do. Maybe it's touching your toes, riding the ferris wheel, or taking a hike with friends and family.

For Robbie Miller of South Carolina, the stop signs were everywhere. She spent most of her life overweight. Years of eating badly and never exercising sent her weight skyrocketing into adulthood.

At 291 pounds, Robbie was unhappy with the way she looked and not being able to do things she loved. She couldn't walk far without losing her breath and taking a break. Climbing the stairs was even more difficult. She finally put her foot down.

In 2006, one of her kids was graduating from high school, another was graduating from college, and her niece was getting married -- all within a few weeks. Robbie didn't want to remember the milestones with pictures of herself overweight.

She had tried dieting before, but couldn't keep the weight off. Then she heard about L A Weight Loss. That June, she joined her local Rock Hill, S.C., L A Weight Loss center, and was paired with a one-on-one weight loss counselor.

Robbie's counselor taught her how to maintain a healthy diet. She cut back on pasta, fried foods, and sweet desserts, and added more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats into her diet.

Soon, the weight was melting away, and her energy was bubbling over. Robbie began exercising too, walking three to four miles a day, three times a week.

After less than two years on the L A Weight Loss program, Robbie has shed 133 pounds! Now weighing 158 pounds, she's enjoying life more than ever before. Her confidence has increased, and she loves getting out and being active.

Best of all, Robbie feels like her weight never gets in the way of her life anymore. With no stop signs getting in her way, she knows there's nothing she can't do if she puts her mind to it. Way to go, Robbie!

Here's Robbie at 291 pounds:



And here she is today at 138 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Robbie Miller
Hometown: York, South Carolina
Age: 54
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 291 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 158 pounds
Program start date: June 2006

Favorite food: Pasta.

Biggest temptation: Pasta.

Biggest motivator: Attending her meetings every week.

Biggest obstacle: Sticking with her plan.

Old eating philosophy: Eating as much as she wanted, of anything she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Having everything in correct portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Enjoying delicious foods that are healthy too.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stick to your portion control.

Marilyn Adams finds the journey as rewarding as the destination

Starting a challenge can be just as rewarding as the end result. That's exactly how Marilyn Adams felt when she set her eyes on the goal of losing weight, and did it.

Marilyn was heavy for most of her life. But she was able to manage her weight fluctuations until she became pregnant with her first child. She gained 35 pounds, and never lost it.

Marilyn's unhealthy diet and sugary binges kept her weight soaring. By the time she reached her 50's, she weighed 255 pounds.

Marilyn's extra weight literally weighed her down -- emotionally and physically. She was embarrassed in public. She always felt like people were staring at her, leading to her low self esteem.

Marilyn's legs were always aching, and it was difficult for her to walk. When a friend needed a walker just to get around, Marilyn realized she was on the same path to a poor quality of life.

So she made up her mind to get healthy. She had tried dieting before, but without success. When her daughter signed up for L A Weight Loss, Marilyn felt the program's structure was exactly what she needed to gain control of her life too.

In February 2006, she joined her local Baton Rouge, La., L A Weight Loss center. She worked closely with her one-on-one weight loss counselor, who showed her the errors of her eating ways.

Marilyn cut back on fatty foods, starches, and sweets. She added more fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water to her diet. Marilyn now loves making delicious salads that fill her up.

She also enjoys snacking on L A Lite bars, and makes sure she's getting all the nutrients she needs by taking daily multivitamins and fish oil.

Since joining L A Weight Loss, Marilyn lost 95 pounds! She flew past her goal weight of 178 pounds, and currently weighs 160 pounds. Marilyn is finding life is so much better in a smaller size.

Her confidence has greatly improved, and she's no longer in physical pain. Marilyn can get on the floor and play with her grandchildren, and walk up and down stairs without getting winded.

Marilyn is a happier, healthier person today. Having accomplished her challenge of losing weight, she now feels like she can take on anything. Way to go, Marilyn!

Here's Marilyn at 255 pounds:



And here she is today at a fabulously healthy 160 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Marilyn Adams
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Age: 56
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 255 pounds
Goal weight: 178 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: February 2006

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Reaching her goal.

Biggest obstacle: Eating the right things during holidays and get-togethers.

Old eating philosophy: Not thinking about what she was eating.

New eating philosophy: Avoiding the wrong kinds of food.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better physically.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stop eating sweets.

Fighting the fast food trap

Did you know there are more than 704 calories in a Big Mac cheeseburger? How about 610 calories in one order of super-sized french fries. And more than 250 calories in that large soda to wash it all down.

But everyone loves to eat out once in a while. So how can you cut out the unnecessary calories, without cutting out fast food completely? Sandra Maltzman is here to tell you.

Lisa McNeil's back on the weight loss wagon

Committing to a lifestyle change can be tough, and it's not uncommon to hit a few bumps along the road. Lisa McNeil will tell you first hand. It’s been a hectic few months, but Lisa has managed to lose another 2 pounds after getting through her plateau.

With the help of her LA Weight Loss counselors, she's now back on track. Listen to what Lisa has to say about her weight loss journey.

Texas woman swaps soul food for sound food

Some families are defined by hair or eye color. For Kendall Seale-Diakhate's family, it was good ol' fashioned soul food.

Food was a source of comfort for Kendall growing up. When her parents divorced during Kendall's childhood, family members consoled her by spending quality time together. It always included heaping portions of rice, butter, macaroni and cheese, and ice cream.

With all the rich servings, it didn't take long for Kendall to balloon. And she felt the pains of growing up as an overweight child. In high school, Kendall felt left out as her friends paired up with boyfriends.

Kendall suffered physically from her weight too. Already diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, her weight led to asthma, which left her constantly tired and out of breath.

She tried a number of diets, but nothing worked. Kendall married, and planned on buckling down to lose weight after her three pregnancies. When she hit the 300-pound mark, however, she knew for the sake of her health, she couldn't afford to wait any longer.

In May 2006, Kendall joined her local College Station, Texas, L A Weight Loss center. She immediately fell into weight-loss sync with the support of her one-on-one counselor.

Kendall learned all about the do's and don'ts of healthy weight loss. She added fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, and water to her diet. She also cut back on her butter, red meat, dessert, and snack food intake.

More importantly, she learned about proper portion sizes. Kendall now eats smaller meals throughout the day. Best of all, she never goes hungry, and never feels deprived.

After two years on the L A Weight Loss program, Kendall has lost 123 pounds. She's not as tired anymore, and her asthma has greatly improved. Things are so good, she's pumped up her exercise regime to her daily routine.

Every day Kendall is getting closer to her weight loss goal of 150 pounds. And when she does, she'll be exactly half the size she was when she began the program! Wow!

Now weighing 177 pounds, Kendall is a much happier and healthier person. Now that she's so close to accomplishing her weight loss goal, Kendall feels she can accomplish anything. Her next goal is to become a fitness instructor, and she's enrolled in a certification course.

Kendall's happiness has extended to her entire family. By cooking healthy meals and encouraging active lifestyles, she's doing everything she can to make sure her own family never has to battle with their weight. Amazing job, Kendall!

Here's Kendall in 2006 at 300 pounds:



And here she is today weighing in at a happy, healthy 177 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Kendall Seale-Diakhate
Hometown: College Station, Texas
Age: 37
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 300 pounds
Goal weight: 177 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds
Program start date: May 2006

Favorite food: Peanut butter and light jam on toast.

Biggest temptation: Not eating off of her children's plates.

Biggest motivator: Feeling healthier and lighter on her feet, and watching the scale go down.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past plateaus.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Being aware of everything she eats.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling a sense of accomplishment, and feeling fit and healthy.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat smaller meals throughout the day, and don't eat to the point of being stuffed.

Elizabeth Stetar goes from couch potato to 5k runner

Some people consider themselves born to run. Others would never lace up a pair of running shoes. Elizabeth Stetar never imagined she'd be lining up at the starting line of road races, but these days, nothing stands between her and the finish line.

Before she got there though, she struggled with weight. While the rest of her family was thin, Elizabeth found herself packing on more pounds each year.

She was teased for her weight as a kid. It stung every time she was called "fat." In high school, Elizabeth was athletic despite her weight, and participated in tennis, soccer, and basketball.

But once she was in college, long nights and unhealthy foods caused Elizabeth to gain more weight than ever before. Her diet consisted of fried foods, fast foods, fatty snacks and desserts, and practically no fruits or vegetables.

Not only was Elizabeth unhappy with the way she looked, she felt unhealthy too. She was tired all the time, and couldn't participate in sports she played when she was younger.

Before her wedding, she tried dieting, but she couldn't shed the pounds. Slipping into her size 24 wedding dress, Elizabeth knew she needed to get healthy.

So in March 2007, she joined her local Louisville, Ky., L A Weight Loss center. When she first stepped on the scale, she was horrified to see that she weighed 279 pounds.

Elizabeth was paired up with a one-on-one weight loss counselor, Stefani, who helped her get her diet under control. Together they mapped out a weight loss plan that fit easily into Elizabeth's lifestyle.

Elizabeth cut back on her intake of fast and fried foods, and she and her husband stopped eating out as often. And she added fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, and water to her diet.

Soon the pounds started melting away. But as they did, Elizabeth noticed a lump on her neck. Doctors discovered the she had a mass on her thyroid that needed to be removed.

Thankfully, the mass was benign. Elizabeth's doctors gave her medication to regulate her thyroid, and got it under control. Best of all, once her thyroid was regulated, Elizabeth's energy skyrocketed.

With all of her new-found energy, Elizabeth began exercising like never before. She started running 40 minutes, three to four times a week. She never imagined she would be the type of person who was able to run races, but she signed up for local 5ks anyway, and enjoyed them. She also started playing soccer and dancing.

Exercise and eating right has paid off. Elizabeth has lost 100 pounds! At her new weight of 179 pounds, she's getting closer every day to her weight loss goal of 150 pounds.

Elizabeth is happier than ever before. Besides her escalating energy, her confidence has dramatically increased. Best of all, Elizabeth knows she's now going to live a longer, healthier life. Way to go, Elizabeth! We're so happy for you!

Here's Elizabeth at 279 pounds:



And here she is, 100 pounds lighter at 179 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Elizabeth Stetar
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Age: 24
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 279 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 179 pounds
Program start date: March 2007

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: Being surrounded by people with unhealthy lunches at work.

Biggest motivator: Seeing the numbers on the scale get lower each week.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting temptation, and making herself eat something healthy.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on burgers, fries, pizza, pastas, and ice cream.

New eating philosophy: Planning meals that include salads, fish, fruits, and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling more confident and feeling her age.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drinking lots of water can help you lose weight.