Washington couple trades fast food for fast track

The secret to boosting your career might lie in your talents, skills, connections, and ability to seize opportunities. But it might also lie in something simpler.

Your physical appearance. Dropping some weight and improving your appearance can make a big impact on your career success and productivity.

Take married couple Kevin and Janetta Rose of Battleground, Wash. Both retail managers, and both overweight.

Kevin's weight gain began when he was in grad school, and continued while he was in law school. He studied a lot, leaving little time to have well-rounded meals or exercise. He usually grabbed fast food, or ate one large meal for the day. Kevin's weight increased to 223 pounds, he and was more sedentary than ever.

Janetta's eating habits were no better. She too ate fast food or whatever was convenient. Also busy with work, Janetta ate when she could, sometimes late at night. Janetta's weight quickly rose to 187 pounds.

She was also looking at photos of herself, and wasn't happy with her appearance. Around that time, Janetta's doctor found her blood pressure was high and she needed to lower it.

The couple didn't want to gain more weight and increase their health risks. Kevin heard about L A Weight Loss and went to their local center to see if it was right for them.

Kevin was thrilled to find out that the L A Weight Loss program is for men too, and Janetta liked having weight loss counselors to help support her throughout the program. They decided to join.

The couple changed their eating habits, and now eat more consistently. They have six smaller meals a day, which prevents them from getting hungry and overeating. They nixed fast food and soda, and now cook healthy foods together.

L A Weight Loss worked like a charm! Kevin shed 55 pounds, and now weighs 168. Janetta lost 48 pounds, and is a trim 139.

The couple feels much happier about their appearance, health, career, and life. Kevin feels more confident interacting with people, and it's paying off. He recently signed five new customers! Plus, he doesn't have to forgo business lunches because the L A Weight Loss counselors taught him healthy foods to order on the menu.

Kevin also enjoys buying new clothes, and playing basketball and doing martial arts to stay active.

Janetta's new appearance is also helping her at work. With a more positive outlook on life, she feels more productive. And her new look is turning heads. People who haven't seen her in a while do a double-take!

She's also more active and energetic, taking time to walk, ride a bike, and play volleyball and softball. And buying clothes that fit is no longer a struggle. She has curves in all the right places, and none in the wrong places!

Losing weight together helped Kevin and Janetta stay disciplined. It was also easy to plan meals together because they have similar work schedules.

And now those schedules include better careers for the two of the them! Way to go, Kevin and Janetta!

This is Kevin before, at 223 pounds:



And this is Janetta before, at 187:



But look at the couple now! Here's the 168-pound Kevin:



And Janetta, at 139. Looking great, guys! Fantastic job!



FAST FACTS

Name: Kevin Rose
Hometown: Battleground, Wash.
Age: 31
Height: 5'10"

Starting weight: 223 pounds
Goal weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Program start date: July 2006

Favorite food: Chicken.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Being successful with the program.

Biggest obstacle: Avoiding big meals.

Old eating philosophy: Eating when he had time.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy foods and planning meals ahead.

Best thing about losing weight: Having renewed confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat throughout the day and control your portions.



Name: Janetta Rose
Hometown: Battleground, Wash.
Age: 30
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 187 pounds
Goal weight: 142 pounds
Current weight: 139 pounds
Program start date: July 2006

Favorite food: Mexican food.

Biggest temptation: Cinnamon rolls.

Biggest motivator: Stepping on the scale and realizing how heavy she was.

Biggest obstacle: Fitting a healthy diet into her work schedule.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever, whenever.

New eating philosophy: Staying away from fried food and taking time to eat several smaller meals throughout the day.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good about herself.

Best weight loss secret learned: Make your weight loss plan a lifestyle, not just a quick fix, and you'll have life-long success.

New mom delivers on second chance

No woman wants to look at old pictures and hear this from her husband: "Gee honey, you used to be hot." Used to be hot? Ouch.

But that's just what Holly Nissen's husband, Aaron, said to her while looking through old photos from their high school days.

Holly was 23 years old, and weighed 200 pounds. She was an RN, working 12-hour shifts that strained her back, put pressure on her knees, and hurt her feet. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional pain of living in a sluggish body that didn't match her bubbly personality.

Holly hated the way she looked, and buried her depression in food. And when she gained more weight, she just ate more to deal with the unhappiness.

When Holly became pregnant with her first child, it was an excuse to eat whatever she wanted. However, the fast food binges and pasta cravings quickly caught up with her.

One week before her due date, Holly felt very dizzy and achy. Not sure what was wrong, Aaron took her to the hospital. Her weight registered at 255 pounds, and her cholesterol at 236 -- much too high for herself and her baby.

Holly stayed in the hospital overnight for observation, and was released in the morning. But that was the scare Holly needed.

She realized how unhealthy she was, and how much she was risking her baby's life as well as her own. She didn't want her son to pick up her bad eating habits. Also, Holly and Aaron wanted more children, but didn't want to go through another unhealthy pregnancy.

So Holly vowed to start losing weight as soon as her doctors said it was OK.

Holly delivered her baby on Dec. 31, 2005. Five months later, she joined the Fargo, N.D., L A Weight Loss center weighing 216 pounds. She was at first skeptical of "another diet," but knew L A Weight Loss was right for her when her counselor Haley said she'd be eating real foods in the proper portions.

Holly began eating fish, vegetables, salads, and chicken. She lost 48 pounds, and reduced her cholesterol to 206 before becoming pregnant again at the end of last year. At 168 pounds, Holly started her pregnancy on a much healthier note.

The upshot: Holly is relieved of her aches and pains -- both physical and emotional. Aaron is very proud of her, and tells her every day how beautiful she is.

She feels she has so much more to live for now, and with another baby on the way, she does! Holly is the happiest she's ever been! Congratulations, Holly!

Interested in learning more about Holly's story? Read the personal letter she sent 16 weeks into her weight loss program, when she lost 32 pounds. It's an inspiration for new moms and moms-to-be everywhere!

This is the unhealthy Holly before, weighing in at 216 pounds:



And here she is at 168 pounds. Way to go, Holly, and best of luck with the bundles of joy!



FAST FACTS

Name: Holly Nissen
Hometown: Fargo, N.D.
Age: 27

Starting weight: 216 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Program start date: May 30, 2006

Favorite food: Salmon.

Biggest temptation: Fast food.

Biggest motivators: Her husband and her new baby.

Biggest obstacle: Having to tell her family about the program in order to have a support group.

Old eating philosophy: Piling on the McDonald's, pasta, casseroles, and canned vegetables.

New eating philosophy: Eating fresh vegetables, fish such as salmon and tilapia, proteins, and salads.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling like an entirely new person, and having energy after 12-hour workdays to spend time with her family.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don't hesitate to talk to your L A Weight Loss counselor and ask for help if you have questions. That's what they're there for!