Race car driver speeds to weight loss finish

Race car drivers are known for three things: speed, determination, and focus. For driver Trent Seidel, those qualities also come in handy when losing weight.

Weight wasn't always a problem for Trent. As a teenager, he was regularly active. But once he got older, his lifestyle slowed, and he found himself working out less.

Each year, the numbers on the scale crept higher. Trent's bad eating habits didn't help. He rarely ate breakfast, and was guilty of late night snacking. Fruit meant a glass of orange juice, while the only vegetable he ate came in the form of carrot cake.

Before long, Trent hit 268 pounds. He suffered from sleep apnea, and rarely got a good night's sleep. He also underwent two surgeries for varicose veins, where his extra weight made his leg swollen and uncomfortable.

Despite his weight, Trent was an avid race car driver. His determination in the driver's seat had helped him succeed in business and life before. Now, Trent decided to focus this energy on dropping the pounds.

In November 2006, Trent joined his local Saskatoon L A Weight Loss center. He paired up with a personal weight loss counselor, Lindee, and learned how to turn his diet from heavy to healthy.

He replaced fried and fatty foods with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water. Lindee taught him the importance of portion control, and held him accountable for his diet decisions. Trent also enjoyed L A Lite bars and supplements.

After one year on the program, Trent lost 59 pounds. He's now at 210 pounds -- only 10 pounds away from his weight loss goal!

For Trent, the best part about being thinner is feeling as good as he looks. He can participate in activities he hasn't done since his teenage years, such as running, doing sit-ups, and lifting weights. No wonder he feels 16 again!

Plus, his confidence has skyrocketed, and he appreciates his health and happiness all the more. Trent's story proves that with the right amount of determination, anything is possible. And with his weight goal so close, the checkered flag is in sight. Race to the finish line, Trent!

Here's Trent at 269 pounds:



And here he is today, looking great at 210 pounds. Great work, Trent! Keep it up!



But wait, check out his ride. This is what I call a good-lookin' car!



FAST FACTS

Name: Trent Seidel
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Age: 42
Height: 5'11"

Starting weight: 269 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 210 pounds
Program start date: November 2006

Favorite food: Steak.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Receiving constant support from his wife.

Biggest obstacle: Shaking all of his bad eating habits.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever tastes good.

New eating philosophy: Eating wisely and reading labels.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to do much more.

Best weight loss secret learned: Use and maintain your metabolism.

Mother of twins doubles her fitness and femininity

Having twins can mean double the fun and excitement. But for Vicky Covi of Denver, it also meant double the weight gain.

Vicky's weight issues started long before motherhood, however. In high school she was surrounded by thinner, attractive girls, and her self-confidence began to sink.

In college, her self-esteem got a boost when she lost 25 pounds. But it didn't last long. She gained weight after college, and continued packing on the pounds when she got married and became pregnant with identical twin boys.

Even though she gained 40 pounds during her pregnancy, Vicky never felt more feminine or beautiful as she carried her next of kin. But after giving birth, those feelings soon diminished.

The stress of caring for two newborns wore Vicky down. She turned to carbs and salty foods such as potato chips to manage her stress. She also often fried her food.

Then, as her weight increased to 189 pounds, Vicky has trouble keeping up with her sons. She crashed by 4 p.m. every day, and had little energy left to make dinner and run the household.

Her husband's work regularly held formal events, dinners, and trips that Vicky attended. But she couldn't fit into anything stylish, and felt embarrassed wearing frumpy dresses.

After one event, she was looking at photos of herself and her husband. She was struck by how overweight she looked, and realized she couldn't live like that anymore.

So Vicky looked up several diets, even though she wasn't too keen on counting calories or cutting out her favorite foods. Then she heard about L A Weight Loss's personalized counseling and portion control. It sounded like it could work for her, and she signed up.

The personal weight loss counselors were there for her every step of her weight loss journey. They taught her how to eat the right foods in proper portions, and helped her incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into her diet.

Vicky also cut back on salty and fatty foods, and stopped frying her meals. In addition, she took vitamins and ate L A Lite bars to supplement her diet, keeping track of it all in her weight loss diary.

So how's Vicky today? Well, she's fifty-nine pounds lighter, and weighing in at 130 pounds! She has no problem sporting a bikini, and loves getting dressed up for her husband's company events.

Vicky's weight loss journey was an awakening for her, and she feels more comfortable with who she is. She now knows what foods work for her body and lifestyle to keep her weight under control.

Best of all, Vicky says she feels great emotionally, physically, and mentally. In fact, she feels as feminine and beautiful as she did she was pregnant!

Way to go, Vicky! Keep up the great work!

Take a look at Vicky before, carrying around 189 pounds:



And take a look at Vicky today, fit and feminine at 130. Looking great, Vicky!



FAST FACTS

Name: Vicky Covi
Hometown: Denver
Age: 38
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 189 pounds
Goal weight: 135 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Program start date: January 2005

Favorite food: French fries.

Biggest temptation: Bread.

Biggest motivator: Seeing weight start to come off in the first two weeks.

Biggest obstacle: Exercising.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging in anything that was unhealthy.

New eating philosophy: Enjoying healthier foods in the right portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Wearing trendy new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Portion control!