Weight loss all in the family for N.D. father and daughter

Weight gain is sneaky. It creeps up on you slowly, until one day you realize your clothes don't fit right, or you're constantly out of breath, or you just don't look the same.

For Patsy Haire and her father, LaVern Michalenko, weight gain snuck up on them through the years. Patsy began gaining weight during her two pregnancies, 75 pounds after her first, and 15 after her second. She couldn't shed the extra pounds.

LaVern's weight began to increase later in his life. While his lifestyle naturally slowed with his age, his eating increased.

By 2006, Patsy weighed 270 pounds and LaVern was a hefty 340 pounds. They tried several diet plans, but neither learned how to maintain a proper eating routine. The weight stayed on.

After a number of foot and knee surgeries, Patsy struggled through physical therapy, and her extra weight made walking even more difficult. She needed a cane to get around, and was constantly tired. Her doctor told her that her knee would never heal properly while supporting so much weight. Patsy knew she needed to change.

On Sept. 11, 2006, she walked in to her local Minot, N.D., L A Weight Loss center, determined to shed the years of extra weight. Patsy worked closely with her one-on-one counselor to create a balanced, healthy diet.

She cut out fried foods, and instead ate plenty of lean chicken, pork, grilled vegetables, and fresh fruits. Visiting the center three times a week made Patsy accountable for what she ate, and taught her the importance of portion control.

Meanwhile, LaVern was still struggling with being overweight. He was frustrated with his health, and was constantly short of breath and fatigued. But Patsy, already seeing results with L A Weight Loss after just two months, convinced LaVern to join the program too.

Now, father and daughter enjoy cooking meals together by combining the lessons of portion control and nutrition they learned at L A Weight Loss. And they have seen lasting results.

Patsy has lost 74 pounds, and is 196. And LaVern has shed 70 pounds, and weighs 270. Both are getting closer every day to their weight loss goals.

Life has become easier for this father-daughter weight loss duo. LaVern enjoys how much simpler daily tasks, such as getting dressed and taking a shower, have become.

And Patsy's decreased weight made her foot recovery easier. She no longer needs a cane for support. And difficult tasks, such as tying her shoes and standing up from chairs, are now a cinch.

The best part about losing weight for Patsy and LaVern? The constant compliments they receive from friends and family. Everyone is amazed at how good they look, and are proud that both father and daughter stuck with the program.

No wonder this dynamic duo is enjoying new levels of confidence and happiness! Way to go, you two!

Here's LaVern before, lugging lots of extra pounds at 340 pounds:



And here's the 270-pound Patsy before L A Weight Loss:



Here's the fit family now. LaVern, looking much improved at 270:



And Patsy, now at 196. Great job, guys! Keep up the fantastic work!



FAST FACTS

Name: LaVern Michalenko
Hometown: Minot, N.D.
Age: 76
Height: 6'6"

Starting weight: 340 pounds
Goal weight: 240 pounds
Current weight: 270 pounds
Program start date: November 2006

Favorite food: Macaroni and mashed potatoes.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from the counselors and nutrition experts at L A Weight Loss.

Biggest obstacle: Going to parties at friends' and family's houses.

Old eating philosophy: Eating all the time.

New eating philosophy: Eating the right portions of healthy foods.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling and looking much better.

Best weight loss secret learned: Measure your food.



Name: Patsy Haire
Hometown: Minot, N.D.
Age: 52
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 270 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 196 pounds
Program start date: September 2006

Favorite food: Pork chops.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Getting guidance from the L A Weight Loss counselors.

Biggest obstacle: Going out to eat.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging constantly.

New eating philosophy: Having the right portions of the right foods.

Best thing about losing weight: Buying new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Watch what foods you buy.

Former Miss Tennessee gets back to pageant weight

When Deby Gooch was crowned Miss Tennessee in 1975, she was a physically fit size 6. She went on to the Miss America pageant, where she became a top 10 finalist and won the talent competition.

After years of singing and entertaining (she did the USO tour four times), Deby got married, and settled down to start a family. Over the next 25 years, Deby slowly put her family's needs before hers, and stopped exercising and eating right.

Fast food and chips replaced the healthy foods she once ate on the pageant circuit. She became ashamed of the body she used to show off on stage. She was even too embarrassed to attend the 2005 Miss Tennessee reunion.

Deby's breaking point came when she hit 227 pounds, and started buying size 20 clothes. She knew diabetes ran in both sides of her family. And she was starting to have foot and back problems from carrying around the extra weight.

Then her son Joey, a medical student, told her he was concerned she wouldn't be around to play with her grandchildren.

About that time, she saw some commercials for a new L A Weight Loss center that had just opened in Jackson, Tenn. Deby checked it out. When she walked in the door, she knew she made the right choice.

Amanda Sledge, her personal counselor, helped her design a meal plan that would fit Deby's lifestyle. Amanda also encouraged her to keep going to reach her goal of 145 pounds.

Deby dropped two pounds a week. She's now 153 pounds, and a size 6/8 -- the same size she wore on stage 32 years ago! Plus, she's learned to put her health first. She walks the treadmill, lifts free weights, and does stomach exercises every day.

And she's now planning to go to the 2007 Miss Tennessee reunion!

That's Deby on the left, at 227 pounds:



And Deby after at 153 pounds. Just call her Miss L A Weight Loss!



FAST FACTS

Name: Deby Gooch
Hometown: Humboldt, Tenn.
Age: 54

Starting weight: 227 pounds
Goal weight: 145 pounds
Current weight: 153 pounds
Program start date: April 2006

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy so she could be around to see and play with her grandkids.

Biggest obstacle: Learning to put herself first.

Old eating philosophy: Any kind of junk food, especially hamburgers, French fries, chips, and candy.

New eating philosophy: She still eats hamburgers, but she doesn't eat the whole bun, and she skips the fries. She also tries to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into her day.

Best thing about losing weight: Learning how to eat, what to eat, and how much.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don't start the program unless you know in your heart that you can do it.