Tennesse mom gets closer to her husband ... literally!

Rachael Wyrick is a loving wife and mother from Tennessee who has struggled with her weight all of her life. Both of Rachael's parents struggle from being overweight, which allowed Rachael to believe it was hereditary. With the lack of exercise and poor eating habits, Rachael just thought her weight was something she could never change.

Rachael struggled with her weight all through high school and college. She remembers walking across campus feeling insecure. Still struggling with her weight, Rachael met the man of her dreams and vowed to spend the rest of her life with him. She even wore a plus-sized wedding dress on her big day.

Rachael knew she had to change. Her defining moment was having two beautiful children. Gaining around 50 pounds from each pregnancy, her husband became concerned with her health. Rachael thought she ate healthy by eating salads, tuna, and chicken, but she didn't know how to control her portions or would cover the salad in dressing. She also ate a lot of starches and creamy, fatty sauces.

Rachael knew she could not pass her unhealthy lifestyle to her family. With the help of her supportive husband and children and the guidance from LA Weight Loss, Rachael became committed to making a change.

Her eating habits soon changed. For breakfast, Rachael would eat cereal or oatmeal; for lunch, she would have a turkey or peanut butter sandwich. And at dinner, she would eat a salad with chicken or tuna. Rachael also made sure to make lunch her largest meal.

Rachael incorporated exercise into her new healthy lifestyle. At first, Rachael could only walk on the treadmill or do the elliptical for 20 minutes. Now she spends over an hour doing cardio exercises at least five times a week! LA Weight Loss taught Rachael how to document her exercise along with what she ate to help identify what worked and what didn't.

Since losing the weight, Rachael has never felt so limitless. She now has the energy to keep up with her children, go to the pool, or ride a bike with her daughter. She even went hiking over Valentine's Day!

What is the best part about being thinner? Rachael says it's her husband bringing her close and wrapping his arms all the way around her.

Congratulations, you look beautiful Rachael!

Rachael before at 252 lbs.:



Rachael now at 140lbs!




Fast Facts:

Name: Rachael Wyrick
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Age: 35
Height: 5’7”

Starting weight: 252 lbs.
Goal weight: 140 lbs.
Current weight: 140 lbs.

Program start date: Aug. 8, 2006

Favorite food: Chicken

Biggest temptation: Already-made snacks

Biggest motivator: Her husband

Biggest obstacle: Attitude

Old eating philosophy: Fried chicken, rice, macaroni and cheese, Chinese food

New eating philosophy: Salads with grilled chicken or tuna, asparagus, tomatoes, blueberries, and apples

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling happy about what she accomplished

Best weight loss secret learned: Chewing gum while preparing meals to avoid overeating

Dog lover unleashes healthy new life

When you think of leashes and collars, you probably think of dogs. Marigale Eilers of New Braunfels, Texas, does too. She's a dog lover who owns five four-legged friends. But leashes and collars also used to remind her of something else -- her diet. Here's why.

Marigale was a constant snacker, and loved fried and salty foods. She also didn't drink much water, or eat breakfast. And, as an owner of an insurance agency, Marigale often ate out for business meetings.

The pounds added up, yet Marigale didn't pay much attention to her weight. She knew she was heavy, but didn't realize by just how much until she turned 60 years old, and tipped the scales at 292 pounds.

Worse, her two sisters were diabetic, so Marigale knew her chances of getting the disease were greater now that she was older. She had knee problems, too, and had to receive cortisone shots to ease the pain.

She also didn't have much energy to spend time with her daughters, or exercise. And it was sometimes difficult to find well-fitting clothes and dress professionally.

Marigale wanted to prevent diabetes and other health problems. Losing weight was the way to do it. So she tried a few diets with some success. But Marigale felt tied down to limited meal choices, and missed her favorite foods. It wasn't long before she strayed away from these diets, and gained back the weight.

Then her oldest daughter joined L A Weight Loss, and started having success. Marigale decided to give L A Weight Loss a try too.

The weight loss counselors gave Marigale just what she needed to focus and lose weight: education. She learned what foods to eat and in what portions. She also learned how to cook food in healthy ways without sacrificing flavor or taste.

The counselors also taught Marigale how to drink more water and incorporate a healthy breakfast into her regime. Best of all, Marigale didn't feel limited. She could eat her favorite foods, such as cherry pie, and still lose weight.

After a year on the L A Weight Loss program, Marigale dropped 112 pounds, and now weighs 180 pounds! Her relationship with her daughters is much better now. They are closer, and love to go shopping for "real clothes" together.

And with her diabetes risk reduced, Marigale has a positive outlook on life. Her knees are in good shape now too, and she has the stamina to go for long walks and work in the yard. She even took a trip to the Alamo without getting tired or feeling pain in her knees.

Sounds like this dog lover has learned more than a few new tricks for eating better and living healthier! Congrats, Marigale!

This is Marigale before, during her lazy dog days, weighing 292 pounds:



And here she is today, full of energy and spunk at 180 pounds. Wow, looking great, Marigale!



FAST FACTS

Name: Marigale Eilers
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Age: 61
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 292 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Program start date: March 2006

Favorite food: Cherry pie.

Biggest temptation: French fries.

Biggest motivator: Watching her health improve, feeling better, and seeing how proud her doctor was of her success.

Biggest obstacle: Trying to make good food selections when out on business.

Old eating philosophy: Snacking constantly, and eating out of boredom.

New eating philosophy: Balancing her diet with proper portions of healthy foods.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better about herself, and being healthy.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink water and exercise. You really need to just move!

Washington woman beats bad genetics

You've got your mother's eyes, your father's nose, and your grandmother's laugh. Thank genetics for it. Deborah Hopkins does. Except she's also thanking genetics for being overweight.

Weight problems run in her family, and affected her since puberty. Deborah struggled to overcome nature's will. Getting married and having five kids didn't help. But divorcing her husband sent her weight over the edge.

The 319-pound Deborah was taking one heartburn and two blood pressure medications. Her doctor told her she was on the verge of getting diabetes, and needed to lose weight immediately.

Deborah knew what her next action should be: Visit her local Salmon Creek, Wash., L A Weight Loss center.

After talking to the personal weight loss counselors and developing a new eating plan, Deborah felt reassured. She couldn't wait to get started on the path to her new life.

She began eating five smaller meals daily, and more fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Deborah also learned how to eat smart at restaurants. Plus, she nixed the fast and junk food, and it wasn't long before her cravings for these high-fat foods disappeared.

Deborah loved L A Weight Loss's one-on-one counseling. She looked forward to weighing in, and seeing her weight decrease. Her counselors always congratulated her on her progress, and encouraged her when she reached a plateau or gained a few pounds.

About 10 months later, Deborah's weight was down by 112 pounds!! Now at 207, she feels like a normal person. Deborah has so much energy that she joined her company's kickball team -- something she would never do at 319 pounds.

Deborah's also dating again, and enjoys spending time with her new beau on weekends. And the best part: She's no longer taking any of those medications!

For anyone else trying to lose weight, Deborah says you have to be ready in your heart and mind to drop the weight. Although your progress might be slow in the beginning, you can learn to live the rest of your life this healthier way, and achieve long-term weight loss success.

What great inspiration for everyone with weight problems or obesity in their family! Deborah is proof that you can overcome hereditary setbacks, and live a healthy, happy life!

Awesome job, Deborah!!!!!!!

This is Deborah before, at 319 pounds:



And here is the new Deborah at 207. Looking fabulous, Deborah. Way to go!!



FAST FACTS

Name: Deborah Hopkins
Hometown: Vancouver, Wash.
Age: 42
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 319 pounds
Goal weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 207 pounds
Program start date: March 2006

Favorite food: Chinese food.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Seeing her weight drop when she weighed in at the center.

Biggest obstacle: Getting rid of loose skin.

Old eating philosophy: Working long hours and late-night eating.

New eating philosophy: Consuming five smaller meals daily, and controlling her portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Being much happier and smiling more.

Best weight loss secret learned: It takes eating to lose weight.