Camille and Brady Orchard grow thin together

Camille and Brady Orchard took two different paths to get there, but the Idaho Falls, Idaho, couple both wound up in the same unhealthy place -- obesity.

For Camille, weight problems began when she had the first of the couple's four children. She gained 60 pounds with their first child, and a little bit more with each one after that. Eventually, her weight ballooned to 203 pounds.

Even more frustrating for Camille -- her entire family was thin. Camille had tried dieting in the past, even taking dangerous medications, but she never learned how to make a clean break from her unhealthy eating habits.

Brady gained weight consistently through college. When he graduated, he was up to 240 pounds. Brady's first job kept him in the office, stuck behind a computer for long hours. When he had time to eat, it was usually soda, candy, and other junk food.

Brady was heavy, but didn't know he had health problems until he was rejected for a blood drive. It turned out he was on the path to diabetes, and was forced to take a smorgasbord of prescription medications to control it.

The couple was spent. They couldn't stand being overweight any longer. They remembered something their friends had told them about: L A Weight Loss. They lost weight on the program, and were keeping it off.

So in February 2007, Camille and Brady went to their local Idaho Falls, Idaho, L A Weight Loss center and received one-on-one counseling to shed the pounds together. They learned about the healthy alternatives to their favorite foods, and how reducing portions sizes can reduce their clothes sizes, too.

Today, Brady and Camille have cut out the fast food, and grill or cook with the crock pot instead of frying. They're also drinking more water than ever before.

Brady's not a big vegetable guy, but he's working more greens into every portion. Breakfasts are filled with yogurt, pineapple, cottage cheese, and sometimes a protein bar for balance.

But Brady and Camille haven't changed just their diet. They're boosting their heart rates with consistent exercise. Camille is hitting the treadmill four to five days a week, and also works in crunches and bicep curls. Brady likes the bike better, and peddles 45 minutes, five days a week.

All the hard work is paying off for the Orchards. Brady's lost 81 pounds so far, and currently weighs 199 pounds. Camille has dropped 56, now weighing 147 pounds. Both have surpassed their goal weights. And while the couple's weight is steadily going down, their self confidence is soaring.

Camille says she's no longer embarrassed to play with her kids on the playground, or take them swimming. She loves buying new clothes to fit her new figure. Brady's off all of his medications and got a new job, which reduced his stress level quite a bit.

Best of all, the couple feels happier together now that they're 137 pounds lighter. The lessons they've learned with L A Weight Loss will stay with them forever, and the couple is setting a healthier example for their kids. Congrats, you two!

Here's Camille at 203 pounds:



And here she is today, at 147 pounds:



Here's Brady at his old 280 pounds:



And here he is is today at 199 pounds. Wow, looking great, guys!



FAST FACTS

Name: Camille Orchard
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Age: 34
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 203 pounds
Goal weight: 148 pounds
Current weight: 147 pounds
Program start date: February 2007

Favorite food: Tilapia and Halibut.

Biggest temptation: Eating chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Weighing in three times a week, and getting support from her husband.

Biggest obstacle: Making time for exercise and the kids.

Old eating philosophy: Living to eat.

New eating philosophy: Eating to live.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling more confident and happy.

Best weight loss secret learned: Sugar-free Jell-o and two tablespoons of fat-free Cool Whip is a great, no-guilt snack.



Name: Brady Orchard
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Age: 34
Height: 5'11"

Starting weight: 280 pounds
Goal weight: 210 pounds
Current weight: 199 pounds
Program start date: February 2007

Favorite food: Mexican food.

Biggest temptation: Chops and salt.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthier every week with Camille by his side.

Biggest obstacle: Having snacks around.

Old eating philosophy: Satisfying his appetite immediately.

New eating philosophy: Thinking before he eats.

Best thing about losing weight: Knowing that he's added years to his life.

Best weight loss secret learned: It's all about the right portion sizes.

Margaret Howard sheds stress by the pound

Stress affects everyone, every day. Some relieve it by talking a walk. Others, by listening to music. But many relieve it by eating.

That was Margaret Howard's problem. Whenever she was stressed, she reached for fried foods, ice cream, pies, cookies, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She started gaining weight.

One of her most embarrassing weight stories happened on the first day of eighth grade. Her teacher, whom Margaret also had in seventh grade, squeezed her arm and said, "You've put on some weight, haven't you?"

Margaret was devastated. From that day on, she never felt comfortable with herself. She continued to eat regardless of whether she was hungry. By adulthood, Margaret was 250 pounds.

At that point, her knees couldn't handle the excess weight anymore. She needed surgery to replace them. The good news: The scary diagnosis motivated Margaret to get serious about losing weight.

She wanted more than ever to be successful in the rehab program, and improve her quality of life. She decided to join L A Weight Loss in October 2001.

She started cutting out fried foods, butter, and shortening. Instead she used Pam to cook vegetables, and sauteed fresh fish such as tilapia. She also liked to eat apples, plain fat-free yogurt, chicken, and turkey.

Margaret rarely kept cookies in the house, and enjoyed ice cream every now and then. She also always packed fresh salads when she ate out in case the restaurant didn't serve them.

And she recorded this all in her personal weight loss diary, which kept her accountable and prevented her from falling into old eating habits.

The pounds started melting away. Margaret underwent knee surgery two months after joining L A Weight Loss. Her doctor was extremely encouraging, and her post-op therapy went very well.

She continued eating according her L A Weight Loss plan, and attended her local center three times a week. She loved talking to her personal weight loss counselor Lori, who always listened to Margaret's weight loss concerns.

Margaret knew every time she went to the center, she could "unload" her stress, and find help and new motivation to keep losing weight.

Margaret is now 169 pounds -- that's an 81-pound reduction! She has no shame or guilt about the way she looks. She holds her head high, and likes to wear shorts and go swimming. She also loves to play with her 11-month grandson.

Margaret feels her life has direction now, and she doesn't have to struggle with her weight. She knows she has the tools from L A Weight Loss to maintain her weight loss, healthy eating habits, and new stress-free life!

Great job, Margaret!

This is Margaret before, at 250 pounds:



And here's the calm and cool Margaret now, at 169. Way to go, Margaret!



FAST FACTS

Name: Margaret Howard
Hometown: Hopkinsville, Ken.
Age: 60
Height: 5'2"

Starting weight: 250 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 169 pounds
Program start date: October 2001

Favorite food: Chicken and tilapia.

Biggest temptation: Ice cream and cake.

Biggest motivator: Not wanting to return to the way she was.

Biggest obstacle: Overeating from stress, and getting lonely.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whether she was hungry or not.

New eating philosophy: Eating only when she's hungry, and drinking a lot of water.

Best thing about losing weight: Being healthier and feeling better.

Best weight loss secret learned: Write down everything you eat.

Sue Toshner beats cancer *and* obesity

Here's a real-life survival story of an L A Weight Loss client I spoke to who fought back against both cancer and obesity. Sue Toshner from Osh Kosh, Wis., gained 81 pounds while undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. After successfully battling the cancer, she emerged at 193 pounds -- which put her at risk for a heart attack.

She knew she had to lose the weight. It wouldn't do anyone any good, she thought, unless she cared for and loved herself. Determined to live longer, Sue joined the L A Weight Loss program to help her beat obesity. In less than a year, Sue lost all 81 pounds -- impressing even her doctor.

Sue says she has never felt healthier, and her family is obviously thrilled and excited to have her around for many years to come. Her story also appeared in the October issue of Prevention magazine.

Here's Sue in October 2005 at 193 pounds:



Here she is now, at a healthy, cancer-free 112 pounds:



What an unbelievable journey!