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.

Texas mom finds ingredients for weight loss success

The recipe for weight gain is easy. Consume sweets, starches, carbs, and grease. Repeat. Unfortunately, as Carla Lowery discovered, the recipe for weight loss takes a bit more effort.

Weight was always an issue for Carla. She grew up in a household with overweight parents, and picked up bad eating habits early on. Her daily meals were centered around starches and carbs. And she frequently snacked on chips and cookies.

When she gave birth to her children, she packed on more weight than ever before. She weighed 259 pounds, and wasn't happy.

Carla had little energy, and lacked self-confidence. A friend suggested she try L A Weight Loss. After experiencing little success on other diets, Carla decided to give it a go.

She worked diligently with one-on-one counselors to get her diet in check. Carla added more fruits, vegetables, water, and lean meats to her menu, and cut back on the starches. She learned how to eat healthy, without giving up what she loved.

Carla also learned that eating multiple smaller meals throughout the day was smarter than eating three large meals. Portion control was key.

Smaller meals and more fresh food was Carla's recipe for success. Since joining L A Weight Loss in July 2004, she's lost 100 pounds! She now weighs 159, and is close to her weight loss goal of 140 pounds.

Carla's energy is through the roof. She started riding horses, and now rides daily -- a great workout. Her confidence has greatly improved, and she can walk into any clothing store and find something in her size.

Carla's relationships are better, too. Her husband respects her dedication to getting healthy, and is proud of all she's accomplished. And she's passed her good eating habits to her kids, who realize how important healthy eating is.

Carla learned the recipe for weight loss success wasn't as difficult as she thought, and it was definitely worth it! Way to go, Carla!

Here's Carla at 259 pounds:



And here she is 100 pounds later, at 159 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Carla Lowery
Hometown: Avalene, Texas
Age: 48
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 259 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 159 pounds
Program start date: July 2004

Favorite food: Chicken and salad.

Biggest temptation: Cookies.

Biggest motivator: Fitting into smaller clothes.

Biggest obstacle: Being at parties where there are a lot of temptations.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating smaller portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better about herself.

Best weight loss secret learned: Learn to believe in yourself.

Soldier's wife gives extra weight its marching orders

Long-distance relationships are tough. Couples must navigate loneliness, different time zones, and travel costs, just to be with each another. Imagine, then, how difficult it becomes when one partner is in Iraq.

Elizabeth Diaz doesn't need to imagine -- she lived it. Her husband Ricky, a sergeant in the National Guard, was deployed to Iraq in November 2005, leaving Elizabeth to care for their two youngest children, ages 11 and 7.

Loneliness and stress soon caught up with her. Meals at fast-food restaurants became the norm, pushing Elizabeth to 268 pounds. That was a far cry from the slim 100 pounds Elizabeth weighed when she and Ricky dated over 26 years earlier.

Worse, Elizabeth's back, knees, and heels ached. She couldn't sleep well at night, which left her constantly exhausted. Then it dawned on her: If something happened to Ricky, she was not in the best condition to take care of her family. This convinced her to make her health a priority.

She didn't know where to begin, until she saw a segment on Good Morning America about Alisha Marigani. Alisha was a fellow military wife who had shed 113 pounds on the L A Weight Loss plan to surprise her husband when he returned home from Iraq.

Elizabeth called her local L A Weight Loss Center in Pueblo West, Colo., that day. Her vow: to reach her goal weight by the time Ricky came home on two-week leave in July.

Her personal counselors worked with Elizabeth every step of the way, teaching her how to make healthier choices on the fast food menus, and how to eat the proper portions at mealtimes. Elizabeth also incorporated exercise into her routine, walking one block farther each day, and eventually joining a gym.

By the end of her first week, Elizabeth had lost 10 pounds, and continued to lose at a rate of three pounds a week. By July, she had dropped 100 pounds (!!), and went from a size 26 to a size 12. It was time for Ricky to come home ... and for Elizabeth to reveal her new look.

But Ricky turned the tables on Elizabeth, recognizing her right away at the airport! Her beautiful smile gave her away :)

Now, Elizabeth has much more energy to spend on fun activities with Ricky, and no longer suffers from joint pain or lack of sleep. Even better, she feels years younger -- even as young as when she and Ricky first met! Now that's what I call a Valentine' Day present.

Here's Elizabeth with Ricky, weighing in at 268 pounds:



And here she is, a stunning 160 pounds, ready to wow her husband!



FAST FACTS

Name: Elizabeth Diaz
Hometown: Pueblo West, Colo.
Age: 44
Height: 5'5”

Starting weight: 268 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Starting date: Feb. 14, 2006

Favorite L A Weight Loss recipe: Grilled Chicken Pita.

Favorite food: Anything Italian!

Biggest temptation: Fast food.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to lose weight by the time her soldier husband came home on leave.

Biggest obstacle: Giving up soda and fast food.

Old eating philosophy: Relying on drive-thru windows and Super Size options for her meals.

New eating philosophy: Making healthier choices when dining out, and balancing her food groups.

Best thing about losing weight: Getting rid of her weight-related aches and sleeping problems, and restoring her energy and confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't have to sacrifice your favorite foods. Rather, eat healthier versions of them in the right portions.

Life after abuse: Mona Valdez's inspiring story

One in four women in the United States reports being abused in a physical, sexual, or emotional way by a partner or spouse, according to the American Medical Association.

That's a sobering statistic, especially when you consider the consequences of abuse -- injury, disability, homelessness, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even death.

Mona Valdez knows the dangers of abuse all too well. She became involved with an emotionally abusive partner when she was just 16. She had her first child with him two years later.

That pregnancy kick-started Mona's weight gain. She went from a 120 to 218 pounds in under a year. Two more pregnancies pushed her over 250 pounds.

Mona desperately wanted to shed the weight. She tried everything, from pills to fasting to exercise. Nothing worked. She spiraled into depression and anxiety.

Finally, after 14 painful years, Mona separated from her abusive partner, and began the long road back to reclaiming her life. The first step: regaining her health.

Mona heard about L A Weight Loss success stories, but was skeptical. What could this program do that others could not? But with her weight at 280 pounds, and her emotional state at an all-time low, Mona decided to give it a try.

She teamed with personal counselors Roberta, Adriane, and Jo in January, 2006. They showed her how to eat the right foods in the right portions, and offered encouragement when her determination dipped. Mona loved how they were always there for her.

The teamwork paid off. One year later, Mona lost over 100 pounds -- and is still going! She's now 180 pounds, with 50 to go before she hits her goal weight of 130. And Mona is confident she'll do it.

Even better, her new positive outlook spread throughout her life. Mona's now happily married to a wonderful man who "loves her no matter what [her] size is."

We're proud of you, Mona! Keep up the great work!!

Here's Mona at a dizzying 280 pounds:



And here she is 100 pounds lighter! Way to go, Mona!



FAST FACTS

Name: Mona Valdez
Hometown: Greeley, Colo.
Age: 34
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 283 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Biggest motivator: Wanting to live for her children.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming an abusive relationship.

Old eating philosophy: Eating sweet cereals like Coco Puffs and Lucky Charms, and having four slices of pizza instead of one.

New eating philosophy: Achieving the right balance of vegetables, fruit, fiber, and lean protein.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the energy to spend time with loved ones.

Best weight loss secret learned: If she can do this, anybody can. Losing weight will give you back your life!

Susan Campbell makes weight loss her lifelong passion

Many people who struggle to lose weight go through the same emotional roller coaster of self-pity and self-doubt.

And often, the most effective motivator for them to drop the weight is to talk to someone who's also carried around extra pounds, and suffered the embarrassment, health complications, and lifestyle restrictions firsthand.

One person filling that exact role is Susan Campbell of Lebanon, Va. The inspiration that she can impart today is the result of all the lessons she learned along her tough weight loss journey -- a journey that started with marriage.

Once Susan wed her husband, Matthew, she fell into a comfort zone about her weight and appearance. She indulged in fried foods, donuts, and coffee cakes for breakfast; cheeseburgers and pizza for lunch; and fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and other Southern comfort foods for dinner.

Soon, Susan reached 235 pounds, and realized she needed to get back on track. She had heard a lot about L A Weight Loss, but didn't join because there were no centers near her home.

Instead, she bounced around between fad diets -- from the Zone diet to the low-carb diet -- to lose weight. A few pounds came off, but she missed her favorite foods. So she binged on birthday cake and barbequed ribs, and the pounds came right back.

That's when Susan gave up hope. She convinced herself that God meant for her to be fat. But that wasn't the only part of her struggle.

With all the extra weight on her joints, Susan had severe elbow, knee, and ankle pain. One day, she was walking down the stairs in her home when her ankle gave out. She painfully hobbled down the steps, unsure if she could even make it.

That was the moment Susan realized how "ridiculous," as she says, her life became. She was 39 years young, had a 12-year-old son, and faced the possibility that she might not be able to play with her grandchildren someday.

But the stars were on Susan's side. A few days after her trouble on the stairs, an L A Weight Loss center opened in Bristol.

Susan joined right away. And the first thing she did was work with the nutritionists to develop a customized eating plan that fit her tastes and lifestyle. Susan's always disliked vegetables -- except green beans -- and didn't want to be forced to eat them.

The L A Weight Loss nutritionists said that's fine, and adjusted her plan to include more fresh fruit and lots of green beans to compensate for the lack of other vegetables. Susan also divided her meals into five a day, so she could still enjoy her favorite snacks, such as Skinny Cow ice cream bars.

With her new eating plan in place, Susan quickly saw the pounds melt away. Her husband was her best cheerleader, and supported her throughout her weight loss journey. With her beautiful new figure emerging, some of Susan's overweight coworkers became jealous. A few even told her that she looked good enough, and needed to stop losing weight!

But Susan kept on going. She lost 90 pounds in eight months, reaching her goal weight of 145 pounds. Susan was so thrilled with her success, that she kept at her weight loss plan, and dropped an additional 10 pounds. By June 2003, Susan was a stunning 135 pounds and size 6.

And that's where she is today. Four years into maintenance, Susan has no more pain in her joints, and enjoys playing tennis, riding her bike, and walking outside. She doesn't feel embarrassed about her size. Instead, she feels in control of her life.

She knows she's a healthy person now, and has a true lust for life. Now she would love to be a motivational speaker for other women and men struggling to lose weight.

Susan is already reaching out with her personal blog, called Susie's blog. Make sure you check this one out -- it's awesome! Susan offers great support and guidance to people who want to lose weight, but just don't think they can. I'd say she's got motivation in the bag!

Susan is a real inspiration for everyone who wants to lose weight. She's been there, done that, and is happier and healthier than she's ever been in her life! Way to go, Susan!

This is Susan before, at an unhealthy 235 pounds:



And check out Susan now, strutting in a bikini at 135 pounds! She's one hot mama! Great job, Susan!



FAST FACTS

Name: Susan Campbell
Hometown: Lebanon, Va.
Age: 44
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 235 pounds
Goal weight: 145 pounds
Current weight: 135 pounds
Program start date: August 2002

Favorite food: Grilled salmon.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Her husband, Matthew.

Biggest obstacle: Finding a flexible weight loss plan that fit her lifestyle.

Old eating philosophy: Eating a lot of fried and easy-to-prepare foods.

New eating philosophy: Having five smaller meals a day so she can still have her snacks.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good inside and out.

Best weight loss secret learned: The first step to successful weight loss is being honest with yourself. Find what works for YOU, and you'll find success.

Mariela Nieves turns teasing into triumph

Teasing is common among children, and a widely accepted part of schoolyard life. Sometimes, though, the taunts go too far, leaving scars that last well into adulthood.

Just ask Mariela Nieves. She grew up in Puerto Rico on a steady diet of rice, beans, and other ethic dishes. Her family always told her to finish everything on her plate, or she wouldn't be healthy. She obliged -- and started to struggle with weight as a result.

Matters only got worse at school, where students called Mariela names like Miss Piggy, Shamu, and even Free Willy. She tried to shrug off the mean taunts, but to no avail. Soon, Mariela became bulimic, thinking this would resolve her weight issues.

Suffering with this terrible disease took its toll on Mariela for years, physically and emotionally. At 225 pounds, she was always tired and exhausted. She had to lay on the bed to button her pants. And she started taking antidepressants.

Then Sarah, Mariela's manager at work, told her about how she lost over 50 pounds on L A Weight Loss, and had kept it off since. Mariela didn't think twice -- she signed up that same day!

The effects were positive and immediate. Mariela stopped being bulimic, and turned to eating real food in the right portions. Plus, after losing just 10 pounds, she was able to stop taking antidepressants, too.

In only one year, Mariela lost 100 pounds!!! She's been on maintenance for two years at 124 pounds. Even better, she has plenty of energy to play with her two young children, take care of the house, and shop at new stores for clothing in smaller sizes.

The best part: Mariela says she feels like a new woman, with a healthier, happier outlook on herself, and on life. Awesome work, Mariela! You did it!

Check out Mariela at an unhappy 225 pounds:



And here she is at a happy, healthy 124 pounds! (Hands off, gents, she's married!)



FAST FACTS

Name: Mariela Nieves
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
Age: 27
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 225 pounds
Goal weight: 125 pounds
Current weight: 124 pounds

Favorite food: Rice and beans.

Biggest temptation: Cake with ice cream and milk.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to lose weight the healthy way.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming bulimia and depression.

Old eating philosophy: Eating everything on her plate, even if it wasn't the right portion size.

New eating philosophy: Enjoying her favorite foods in healthy amounts, and drinking plenty of water.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the energy to play with her kids and take care of herself.

Best weight loss secret learned: Losing weight will change your life, so it's definitely worth the commitment to the plan.

Zoo trip unmasks 800-lb. gorilla in the room

Little did Heather Cooper know that, when she took her kids to the zoo, it would be a day that would change her life forever.

At the bears exhibit, Heather's son said, "Mommy, that bear's huge! It's bigger than you!" Though those eight words stung, they were the reality check she needed to tackle her lifelong weight battle.

Heather weighed 256 pounds at the time, and her health was deteriorating. She had high blood pressure, breathing and sleeping problems, and was a borderline diabetic.

She napped every day, and could barely get down on the floor to play with her kids. Plus, she was worried about her family history: Her mother died of cancer at 46, and Heather didn't want her kids to grow up motherless.

But joining a diet program wasn't feasible while raising two kids. Then on Heather's birthday, her father gave her a check to use to join L A Weight Loss. Turns out it was the best present Heather's ever received!

Heather dropped 6 pounds in the first week on the program. From then on, it was all about setting goals.

She a started a journal listing things she wanted to accomplish as she shed weight. She also began exercising for the first time in her life. She consistently added 1/4 mile to her jogging routine each time she ran the trails at the local park.

Less than a year later, Heather is a new woman! She's lost 100 pounds, going from a size 24 to a size 8!!! She rewarded herself by learning how to rollerblade, and now circles the park four times. And she's accomplished everything she listed in her journal, with just 25 pounds to go.

In fact, she's been so successful, the Oklahoma City L A Weight Loss Center she attended hired her last November!

Here's Heather at 256 pounds:



And look at her now in her new, beautiful 156-pound frame:



FAST FACTS

Name: Heather Cooper
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla.
Age: 29
Height: 5’4"

Starting weight: 256 pounds
Goal weight: 125-135
Current weight: 156 pounds
Program start date: April 14, 2006

Favorite food: Peanut butter.

Biggest temptation: Sweet desserts, like brownies and ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy so she could play with her kids, and be around for a long time.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming her high blood pressure and other health issues.

Old eating philosophy: Lots of fried foods and indulgent desserts.

New eating philosophy: She still eats ice cream, though in moderation, and balances that out with healthier foods like fresh vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: When her kids wrap their arms around her, when her husband picks her up, and when her daughter says she wants to be just as pretty as her.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't have to deprive yourself of the foods you love. It's all about learning how to balance foods in a healthy way, while still having control over what you eat.