JoDee Hungneff gets comfortable with a healthier life

Everyone wants to be comfortable in their own skin. After all, it's inside that counts most. But for some people, that comfort can lead to seriously uncomfortable health problems. Just ask JoDee Hungneff.

JoDee always considered herself fairly active. She enjoyed playing tennis and fast pitch softball, and was happy with the way she looked. After college however, JoDee's fast food fixes and fatty snacking habits sent her weight soaring.

She married her husband in 2001, and didn't worry too much about her increasing weight. She was happy and comfortable with herself. But as the numbers on the scale inched higher each year, JoDee came to know the uncomfortable health problems associated with obesity.

At 320 pounds, JoDee couldn't even walk up the stairs without getting winded. She couldn't bend over to tie her shoes or paint her nails, and forget about walking anywhere. Plus, she had almost constant back and knee pain, and her blood pressure was dangerously high.

Even worse, JoDee's self-confidence plummeted. She was embarrassed to go out in public, and felt like she was always being judged for her weight. At an amusement park, JoDee was asked to get off a rollercoaster because she was too heavy.

As life got harder for JoDee, her motivation for losing weight increased. And in 2007, she joined her local Rockford, Ill., L A Weight Loss center. She was paired with one-on-one counselor Jennifer, who taught JoDee what a healthy diet consisted of.

Out went her constant fast food meals, sugary binges, and high-calorie sodas. Instead, JoDee planned her meals around grilled vegetables, fresh fruit, lean meats, and water.

For snacks, JoDee enjoyed L A Lite bars, as well as the L A Weight Loss biscottis. By spacing out her meals in the right proportions throughout the day, it wasn't long before the pounds melted away.

After one year on the L A Weight Loss program, JoDee has lost 102 pounds. She now weighs 218 pounds, two pounds less than her original goal weight. JoDee is currently on maintenance, but has had so much success with L A Weight Loss, she's considering going back on the weight loss program to lose some more!

JoDee also has a new exercise regimen now. During the warm weather, she tries to walk outside five days a week. And during the harsh midwest winters, JoDee keeps active with her exercise tapes.

Since losing weight, life has become so much easier for JoDee. Her blood pressure has decreased, and her knee and back pain has subsided. Best of all, losing weight has sent JoDee's confidence soaring. Her relationship with her husband is stronger than ever before, and JoDee's never been happier.

JoDee is comfortable in a whole new, healthier way. And we're proud of her! Way to go, JoDee!

Here's JoDee last year at 320 pounds:



And here she is today at 218 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: JoDee Hungneff
Hometown: Loves Park, Ill.
Age: 36
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 320 pounds
Goal weight: 220 pounds
Current weight: 218 pounds
Program start date: January 2007

Favorite food: Strawberries.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Watching the TV show, "The Biggest Loser."

Biggest obstacle: Avoiding junk food temptations at family gatherings.

Old eating philosophy: Eating fast food, fried food, and fatty snacks whenever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating fruits, vegetables, and grilled foods; and drinking water.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling 100 percent better -- physically and emotionally.

Best weight loss secret learned: Ditch the high-calorie sodas for water.