Nancy LaFond hits the big time with her small figure

Nancy LaFond was healthy and thin her whole life -- until she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in 2005.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. People with this condition have trouble burning calories, and can gain up to 60 pounds as a result.

Despite eating right and exercising regularly, Nancy couldn't stop her body from packing on the pounds. At one point, she even gained seven pounds in a single week!

You can hear the rest of her emotional story here, courtesy of an interview Marnie and I conducted with Nancy last week.



Here's the nutshell version:

After she was diagnosed, Nancy worked with her doctor to stabilize her medication before she could tackle her weight gain. When her doctor gave her the go-ahead to take on her extra 30 pounds, she knew she wanted to join a program that would address her medical condition, while still helping her lose the weight.

This was easier said than done. When Nancy called one popular weight loss program and explained her situation, the receptionist told her she would have to stick with the set program, just like their other customers.

Discouraged and frustrated, Nancy made her next stop at the L A Weight Loss Center in Pineville, N.C. Two of her friends had successfully lost weight on the program, and she knew the program was based on customized meal plans.

When Nancy walked in the center, she immediately knew she'd made the right choice. Her personal counselor, Sarah, told her they were used to tailoring programs around thyroid ailments. In fact, 70 percent of the center's customers had thyroid issues.

Nancy worked with Sarah to refine her already healthy diet into one that would help boost her metabolism. This, along with Nancy's continuing exercise regimen, helped Nancy lose 30 pounds in eight months, bringing her back to her original 127-pound frame!! That was over a year ago -- and the weight is still off.

In fact, Nancy was so successful that L A Weight Loss chose her as their spokeswoman for its 8-Week Body Makeover campaign. She's currently appearing in TV and print ads to share her story, and inspire women nationwide to shape up before Memorial Day.

Here's Nancy before at 157 pounds:



And now here's our spokeswoman at 127 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Nancy LaFond
Hometown: Matthews, N.C.
Age: 44
Height: 5'2"

Starting weight: 157 pounds
Goal weight: 127 pounds
Current weight: 127 pounds
Program start date: July 2005

Favorite foods: Any kind of fruit, especially watermelon, grapes, and bananas.

Biggest temptation: Ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Seeing her "before" photo every day (she kept it on her dresser).

Biggest obstacle: Trying to counteract the effects of her thyroid ailment.

Old eating philosophy: A well-balanced diet, but in the wrong proportions.

New eating philosophy: Learning how to incorporate her favorite fruits and vegetables in the right way to boost her metabolism.

Best thing about losing weight: Being selected as the spokesperson for L A Weight Loss's 8-Week Body Makeover campaign.

Best weight loss secret learned: Weight loss does not equal starvation or deprivation.

Shannon Gee slims down to run long

On Jan. 7, Shannon Gee, 35, ran the annual Disney Marathon in six hours. But nine months earlier, she was in no shape to tackle the 26.2-mile run -- or even a run around the block.

Shannon was shocked when the scale read 175 pounds during a physical last May. She decided to hit the gym four days a week, no matter what.

Soon after, she saw a flyer for a half marathon (that's 14 miles) benefiting the local leukemia and lymphoma society. She decided to work off enough weight to run that race.

Yet despite her gym routine and determination, Shannon couldn't shake off the pounds. Then a local deejay announced he lost 30 pounds on the L A Weight Loss program.

Shannon hit the L A Weight Loss Center in Fort Meyers, Fla., and met with Marlene, who would become her personal counselor. Marlene helped Shannon find the foods that would speed her weight loss in time to run the half marathon.

As the pounds came off, Shannon upped the ante, and decided to shoot for a full marathon. After dropping 30 pounds on the L A Weight Loss Program, Shannon ran the 26.2 mile Disney Marathon.

Now there's no stopping her. Now she plans on running the Gasparilla marathon in February, and a triathlon (1-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride, and 6-mile run) in September!

Here's Shannon before, at 175 pounds:



And here she is hanging out with Minnie and Mickey, after completing the Disney Marathon in her new 145-pound bod:



FAST FACTS

Name: Shannon Gee

Hometown: Fort Myers, Fla.
Age: 35
Height: 5’10"

Starting weight: 175 pounds
Goal weight: 145 pounds
Current weight: 145 pounds
Program start date: May 2006

Favorite food: Fiber One cereal.

Biggest temptation: Restaurant bread baskets.

Biggest motivator: Training for Disney Marathon.

Biggest obstacle: Maintaining her weight during the holidays.

Old eating philosophy: Carbs, ice cream, and cookies.

New eating philosophy: Less processed food and more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Being comfortable in her own skin.

Best weight loss secret learned: You have nothing to lose other than the weight. Stick with the program. It works!