Texas mom gets Ph.D. in weight loss

Getting a Ph.D. is a full-time job. So is raising a family. Put those two together, and it's hard to make time for anything else, like caring for your health. Just ask Ruby Wiley-Rendon.

Ruby had been athletic for most of her young life. Once she entered college, however, her sports participation dipped and her weight spiked.

After giving birth to her first child, she ballooned to 212 pounds. She tried a number of diet tricks and fads, but nothing kept the weight off. She was constantly yo-yoing.

By the time Ruby gave birth to her second child, she was frustrated with the weight loss game. She tried exercising, but not even that could reduce her weight. And as a full-time mom and graduate student, she didn't have time to waste on gimmicks.

Then, while shopping for clothes with her mom, Ruby couldn't fit into her usual size 18. Staring into the mirror and holding a pair of size 20 pants, Ruby knew once and for all that she needed to get healthy.

A friend in her Ph.D. program suggested L A Weight Loss. In June 2007, Ruby decided to give it a try. She joined her local Lubbock, Texas, L A Weight Loss center, and was matched up with a personal weight loss counselor, who helped her learn the ins and outs of healthy eating.

Ruby gave up her usual diet of super-sized fast foods, fried foods, starches, and sodas. She replaced it with grilled meats, fruits, and vegetables.

Ruby loved that she could still eat many of her favorite foods, simply by enjoying them in moderation. For example, if she had a small piece fried chicken for lunch, she had a salad for dinner.

It wasn't long before the pounds started melting away. By September of that year, Ruby lost 45 pounds. And that only motivated her to lose more. It's been one year since Ruby joined L A Weight Loss, and she's lost a total of 102 pounds and now weighs 110 pounds.

Ruby's success has motivated others to join L A Weight Loss too, including her mother and husband. Now, Ruby weighs in with her mom every other week to keep her spirits and weight loss ambitions high.

Since losing weight, Ruby enjoys the little things in life so much more. Getting in and out of the car is no longer difficult like it was before. She loves shopping for cute clothes more than ever. This past March, Ruby wore a bathing suit for the first time in nine years! Way to go, Ruby!

Here's Ruby in 2007 at 212 pounds:



And here she is today looking fit and fabulous at 110:



FAST FACTS

Name: Ruby Wiley-Rendon
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Age: 28
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 212 pounds
Goal weight: 115 pounds
Current weight: 110 pounds
Program start date: October 2007

Favorite food: Mexican

Biggest temptation: Restaurant food.

Biggest motivator: Weighing in at the center each week.

Biggest obstacle: Avoiding carbs.

Old eating philosophy: Eating fried foods and starches every day.

New eating philosophy: Making meals with grilled chicken, salad, fruits, and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling young again.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still lose weight while eating out at restaurants.