Tennessee mom's last resort

Cheryl Miller is a mother of four, a loving wife, and a caregiver. Her active life left her with little personal time to take care of herself. She was constantly on the go, working for a preschool, caring for her sick grandmother, and trying to care for her own four children. This all played a major role in her weight gain.

Each of Cheryl's pregnancies put a toll on her body. After Cheryl had her second child at age 23, her weight increased and she started suffering from severe back pain. Her back pain sometimes required her to be carried or pushed in a wheelchair, or even to be on bed rest for a week.

Finally, she went to the doctor's when the pain was so fierce she could not walk. The doctors took X-rays, and discovered flipped discs, fragmentation, and nerve damage -- all due to the weight she had gained after having children. The doctor recommended back surgery as the only cure to her suffering if she did not lose weight.

Cheryl was 29 years old, almost a size 20, and her weight was continuing to increase. Cheryl was not ready to undergo back surgery and take time away from her family. Cheryl tried to lose weight on her own, but still did not eat right and was unsuccessful. She did not understand why the older she got, the more she ate and the more weight she gained.

Cheryl decided to look into LA Weight Loss after a suggestion from a friend of the family who was on the program and had also suffered from back pain. Cheryl liked the LA Weight Loss program because of the accountability it offered.

Within the first two weeks of the program, Cheryl lost close to 20 pounds, and people started to notice. She received positive reactions from friends and family, which encouraged her to commit and stay on the program.

Cheryl's diet changed from eating red meat, fried chicken, pasta, fast food, and canned vegetables, to eating lean cuts of turkey, fresh green vegetables, and plenty of fresh fruit. Water has also become Cheryl's choice of beverage.

She lost 103 pounds on LA Weight Loss! Cheryl has not pulled her back out since her youngest son Parker, 6, was six months old. Her new lifestyle also encouraged her to exercise more. Cheryl started walking every day, doing exercise work outs on TV, and lifting weights to tone her arms and legs.

Cheryl has a new level of confidence. She is no longer hiding herself from others. She went from a size 22 to a size 4, playing softball in the summer and keeping up with her active children.

She also gained the confidence to be more outgoing and approachable, allowing her to connect with people. She finally feels that people listen to her while she talks, always asking for more insight. After all the years of caring for others, she believes this is the first time she is truly caring for herself.

Cheryl is an inspiration to those surrounded by her and to us all! You look great Cheryl, keep up the hard work for yourself and for others!

Cheryl at 226 pounds:



Cheryl at 123 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Cheryl Miller
Hometown: Kingston, Tenn.
Age: 35
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 226 lbs.
Goal weight: 120 lbs.
Current weight: 123 lbs.
Program start date: April 27, 2006

Favorite food: Chinese food.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Her kids.

Biggest obstacle: Not getting the encouragement that she needed for others.

Old eating philosophy: Eating pizza, pasta, Chinese food, fried chicken, French fries, and hamburgers.

New eating philosophy: Enjoying turkey, asparagus, grilled chicken, broccoli, blueberries, and bananas.

Best thing about losing weight: Being a role model to others who want to lose weight.

Best weight loss secret learned: Lowering your sodium intake 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:

Abuse victim takes final step to overcome defeat

The effects of abuse are chronicled too well. Injury, depression, anxiety, and unhealthy eating are just a few.

Iretta Baldwin can attest to all of the above. She married her first husband at age 18. But her marriage was scarred with mental and physical abuse, and Iretta turned to food for comfort.

Years of emotional struggle, one daughter, and two failed marriages later, food was still Iretta's best friend. And it showed. She tipped the scales at 258 pounds.

Iretta was tired all the time, and never had energy to do anything. The thought of being alone made her anxious, and she settled for unhealthy relationships. Her self-confidence diminished as she surrounded herself with negative people who treated her badly.

When Iretta became a teacher, she was determined to get her weight under control. During parent-teacher conferences, she didn't want to be considered a child's "big teacher."

Thanks to her daughter's encouragement, Iretta joined the Lakewood, Colo., L A Weight Loss Center. She worked diligently with her one-on-one weight loss counselors, and learned how to incorporate healthy eating into her lifestyle.

Out went her bad habits of greasy breakfasts, fatty snacks, and overfilled plates. In came plenty of vegetables, fruits, yogurt, and lean proteins.

And it worked. After one year with L A Weight Loss, Iretta lost 103 pounds! Now weighing in at 155, she is nearly at her weight loss goal of 140 pounds!

Losing weight changed everything for Iretta. She's not only in control of her weight, but her life as well. Her escalating self-confidence makes her feel reborn!

Iretta fits into smaller clothes, and has energy to exercise. She walks more than ever before -- whether with her dogs, or from the furthest parking space to the store.

The best part about being thinner: Iretta doesn't let negative people in her life anymore, and she's ready to move up. Iretta feels she can stand on her own two feet, and hold her head high.

Way to go, Iretta! We're so proud of you!

Here's Iretta, weighing in at 258 pounds:



And here she is today 103 pounds lighter! Looking great, Iretta!



FAST FACTS

Name: Iretta Baldwin
Hometown: Lakewood, Colo.
Age: 41
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 258 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 155 pounds
Program start date: October 2006

Favorite food: Cheese enchiladas.

Biggest temptation: Chips and dip.

Biggest motivator: Getting encouragement from her daughter every step of the way.

Biggest obstacle: Going back to old eating habits.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on fried foods, chocolate, and chips.

New eating philosophy: Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit.

Best thing about losing weight: Gaining self confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat out at restaurants and lose weight!

Kay Nalbone gets a dose of healthy eating

Developing epilepsy can turn a person's world upside down. Just ask Kay Nalbone of Concord, N.C. Even though seizures could strike without warning, she wasn't letting them control her life.

Kay was diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering a bad fall in 1982. Her new medicines and love for food weren't a good match. The combination caused Kay to pack on the pounds. Before long, she weighed 256.

Walking was difficult for Kay, and she couldn't climb the stairs without having to stop and catch her breath. The extra pounds made her feet, back, and neck ache constantly. Her 5-foot, 5-inch frame struggled to support her weight.

She was also frequently fatigued, and couldn't get through the day without napping. None of her clothes fit right, and she hated shopping in plus-size stores.

Kay's family was worried. Her brother encouraged Kay to lose the pounds. She tried dieting, but always regained the weight. And counting points and calories became too tedious. She just couldn't find a plan that fit her life.

Then she found L A Weight Loss, and liked the concept of learning how to eat healthy for life. She joined her local center in April 2002, determined to drop the pounds.

Kay's personal weight loss counselors helped her adjust her diet, and ensured the foods she ate didn't react negatively with her epilepsy medication. They replaced her daily fast food binges and candy indulgences with well-balanced meals and healthy snacks.

Kay added more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish to her eating plan. And with the help of her L A Lite cookbook, she found new ways to prepare delicious meals.

Today Kay is 103 pounds lighter, now weighing 153! She feels like a whole new person. Her aches and pains are gone, her epilepsy is under more control, and she has plenty of energy to walk three to four times a week without getting winded.

And best of all, Kay can buy clothes from any store! She loves to go shopping, and has filled her closet with cute outfits.

As a daily reminder of how far she's come, Kay keeps a pair of pants she wore when she was her heaviest.

Way to go, Kay! Keep up the fantastic work!

Here's Kay before, at 256 pounds:



And here she is 103 pounds later at 153. Wow! Great job, Kay!



FAST FACTS

Name: Kay Nalbone
Hometown: Concord, N.C.
Age: 54
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 256 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 153 pounds
Program start date: April 2002

Favorite food: Squash casserole.

Biggest temptation: M&M's.

Biggest motivator: Buying cute new clothes.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting chocolate.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything, anytime, anywhere.

New eating philosophy: Eating well-balanced meals.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better, and buying new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Rotate your food so you don't get stuck in a rut.

Nashville news producer reports: "I lost over 100 lbs.!"

For Faith Seifuddin, her dream career has been broadcast journalism. But three years ago, at 280 pounds, she knew her weight would be the one thing that would spoil her dream.

Faith always tried, but never followed through or challenged herself to lose her ideal amount of weight. Then she and her mother agreed it was time to give L A Weight Loss a shot.

While on L A Weight Loss, Faith changed all her eating habits and incorporated them into a healthy lifestyle. She lost 103 pounds!

I’m also excited to report that she was able to follow her dream after having lost the weight. Faith now works at WKRN News 2 in Nashville, and is loving it!

Now she even has her family turned on to L A Weight Loss, and is hoping to inspire more young people to do what it takes to follow their dreams!

Before, just a dreamer at 280 pounds:



Now, a successful career woman at 177 pounds! Way to go Faith!



FAST FACTS:

Name: Faith Seifuddin
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Age: 24

Height: 5 ft. 7 in.
Starting weight: 280
Current weight: 177
Program start date: July 2003

Biggest motivator: Seeing results.

Biggest obstacle: Letting food control her.

Best thing about of losing weight: Shopping and going out with friends.

Best weight-loss secret learned: Mentally committing yourself to changing your life.