Jorge Harris saves his sweat for the gym

It's safe to say that everyone knows how it feels to sweat. It is the middle of the summer, after all. But for Jorge Harris, uncomfortable sweating wasn't something reserved for the hot summer time weather.

Jorge had a problem with his weight for most of his life. At 267 pounds, he was hot, uncomfortable, and sweating all the time. Physical activity was tough for him, and he didn't have the energy to spend time playing with his kids. He never felt comfortable doing things with his family, such as going to the beach.

Jorge also had high blood pressure and acid reflux disease, for which he needed daily medication. Besides his diagnosed medical problems, Jorge had a relative feeling of unhealthiness. He always felt sluggish.

But with Jorge's eating habits, it was no wonder his weight was so high. Jorge had an eating philosophy of "whatever, whenever." He often dined on fried and fast foods, and was constantly drinking sweet teas that are high in sugar and calories. He ate a lot of the bad stuff, but hardly any of the good stuff, such as fruits and vegetables.

So in July 2005, Jorge decided to get healthy. He joined his local Greensboro, N.C., L A Weight Loss Center. Working with a one-on-one weight loss counselor, Jorge learned how to maintain a proper diet.

He stopped eating so much fried food, and instead focused on including as many of the food groups as he could into his meals. He added fresh fruits and vegetables, and when he ate meat, it was lean. Jorge also added a lot of water to his diet. Sometimes, he even drinks up to 100 ounces a day.

With his new healthy diet in place, it didn't take long for Jorge to start losing weight. After one year on the program, he had lost 93 pounds, and weighed 174 pounds. Jorge has gone up a little since then, and at 185 pounds has re-entered the L A Weight Loss program. He now has a goal weight of 180 pounds. Almost there, Jorge!

Since losing almost 100 pounds, Jorge feels like a new man. He is more willing to go to the beach with his family, and he loves spending time playing with his kids. His lower weight gives him the energy to do more, so Jorge is always sure to take advantage.

He tries to exercise four times a week. The only times Jorge is sweating now is when he's playing golf, playing tennis, or jogging on the treadmill. Plus, his health has improved, and he no longer needs his high blood pressure meds.

Jorge's own impression of himself has greatly improved, and he no longer accepts himself as "the heavy guy." Best of all, he feels more alive. Jorge doesn't even like to sit still anymore. Now that's what we call a life change. Way to go, Jorge!

Here's Jorge at 267 pounds:



And here is today it at a fitter and healthier 185 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Jorge Harris
Hometown: Mebane, N.C.
Age: 39
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 267 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 185 pounds
Program start date: July 2005

Favorite food: Fast food.

Biggest temptation: Fast food.

Biggest motivator: Feeling better.

Biggest obstacle: Curbing his eating habits.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

New eating philosophy: Including as many food groups as he can in his meals.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better physically.

Best weight loss secret learned: Even a small amount of exercise keeps your metabolism going.

Anne Brownfield takes weight loss to heart

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That's a motto Anne Brownfield was all too familiar with. And unfortunately, it related to her weight loss.

Ann struggled with weight for most of her life. She remembers her struggle beginning when she was seven years old. Anne had tried losing weight countless times, but nothing worked.

At 230 pounds, she struggled with acid reflux and heart burn. And walking anywhere was difficult. Plus, she was always uncomfortable. Anne was embarrassed in public, and couldn't fit into restaurant booths.

She knew that if she wanted to live longer, she needed to get healthy. With a long list of failed diets behind her, in October 2005, she turned to L A Weight Loss.

Anne joined her local Terre Haute, Ind. L A Weight Loss center, and was paired up with a one-on-one weight loss counselor. Anne liked that all of her meetings were private, and she didn't have to get up in front of a group to be weighed.

And thanks to her weight loss counselor, for the first time, she learned about what she should and should not be eating. Anne cut back on her fast food and boxed food meals, and started incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats into her diet.

It wasn't long before the weight started coming off. Since joining L A Weight Loss, Anne has dropped 90 pounds. At 140 pounds, she's only 10 pounds away from her weight loss goal.

And as her weight decreased, so did her medical problems. Anne's acid reflux and heartburn are completely gone. And she has no problem going for walks. Even better, Anne loves going shopping for new, smaller clothes.

Best of all, her self-esteem has greatly improved. Anne is happier and healthier than ever before. Way to go Anne!

Here's Anne at 230 pounds:



And here she is today at 140 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Anne Brownfield
Hometown: Terre Haute, Ind.
Age: 46
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 230 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Program start date: October 2005

Favorite food: Sweets.

Biggest temptation: Fast food.

Biggest motivator: Feeling better.

Biggest obstacle: Getting through the plateaus.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever was easiest.

New eating philosophy: Making sure she eats in the right portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better physically and mentally.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't need candy if you snack on L A Lite bars.

South Carolina songbird finds her wings

Alison Thackston has a passion for singing. And when someone loves stretching her vocal chords as much as she does, nothing can stop her from belting out a tune. Except, as Alison found out, extra weight.

It was a life-long struggle for Alison. And as she aged, the problems associated with being overweight worsened. Reaching 213 pounds in her 40s, Alison suffered from asthma, acid reflux, high blood pressure, joint and back pain, and lack of flexibility.

The extra pounds made her lethargic, and Alison couldn't bend over to touch her toes. She was depressed, and felt completely dependent on other people.

Worse, the weight on her lungs made singing at her church and community center difficult. She couldn't hold long notes or hit the ranges she knew she could reach.

Alison understood losing weight was the only way to get healthy. After trying a laundry list of unsuccessful fad diets, she visited a nutritionist. After her first consultation, she learned her diet was making her sick, and fad weight loss programs just wouldn't cut it.

So Alison signed up at her local Greenville, S.C., L A Weight Loss center in September 2006, ready to change her diet and life. She was paired with a one-on-one weight loss counselor who helped her see the error of her eating ways.

Alison's counselors designed a meal plan that fit her life. She eliminated trips to fast food stops and baked-good binges. She replaced fatty and fried foods with lean meats, vegetables, fruit, and plenty of water.

Even better, Alison incorporated exercise into her daily routine. She started walking 45 to 60 minutes six days a week, and joined a gym. Through it all, she received constant support from her mother and L A Weight Loss counselors, who kept her motivated through her weight loss plateaus.

It wasn't long before the diet change and exercise paid off. As Alison's weight dropped, she gained stamina to work out longer. Her health problems disappeared one by one.

Alison reached and surpassed her weight loss goal in February 2007. She's 80 pounds slimmer at 133! She feels the best she's ever felt. She can breathe easily, and is off all of her medications. She also has more energy and confidence, and never has trouble fitting into restaurant booths or plane seats. And Alison loves shopping for her new size 6 figure!

Overall, Alison feels like an entirely new woman. She's completely independent and at peace with herself. And she sings longer, louder, and better than ever before. Way to go, Alison!

Here's Alison at her heaviest of 213 pounds:



And here she is today, looking fantastic at 133 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Alison Thackston
Hometown: Simpsonville, S.C.
Age: 49
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 213 pounds
Goal weight: 138 pounds
Current weight: 133 pounds
Program start date: September 2006

Favorite food: Potatoes.

Biggest temptation: Family parties.

Biggest motivator: Her mom.

Biggest obstacle: Making smart food choices when away from home.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on fast food and sweets.

New eating philosophy: Eating more vegetables than ever before.

Best thing about losing weight: Not needing her medications anymore.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can maintain your weight after losing.

LuAnn Zipp zips to her weight loss goal

Many factors can cause a person to become overweight at an early age: lack of self-control, a sweet tooth, a troublesome childhood, or a family tendency to overeat. But LuAnn Zipp had to deal with them all.

Growing up in San Diego, LuAnn was skinny as a bean pole during childhood, even though obesity ran in her family. It wasn't until adolescence that she began to turn to food as a comfort during difficult events. At age 12, LuAnn gained 107 pounds in one year.

The weight gain didn't stop there. In middle school and high school, she was often picked on for her weight. And the more LuAnn was teased, the more she reached for the candy bars, chips, and huge helpings. So as LuAnn grew older, her waist line grew wider.

Eventually LuAnn met and married Robert Zipp. Robert was a U.S. Marine, and they were soon relocated to Texas, where they started their family. During each of her four pregnancies, LuAnn steadily packed on more weight, soon reaching 310 pounds.

And with the extra pounds, came extra health problems. LuAnn suffered from extreme asthma, high blood pressure, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, and acid reflux. In fact, her asthma was so bad she couldn't even sleep through the night, and could never lie flat on her back.

Then LuAnn's grandmother died due to complications from being overweight. LuAnn knew if she was ever going to be healthy and avoid a similar fate, she needed to lose weight.

LuAnn tried a number of diet plans, but nothing worked for her. She knew she had to get serious, and in August 2006, she joined her local Killeen, Texas, L A Weight Loss. Working with her personal weight loss counselors, LuAnn added fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water to her diet.

Instead of skipping meals, and snacking throughout the day, she started taking the time to prepare herself healthy, home cooked meals. While dinner time used to mean huge servings and tons of carbohydrates, it now meant portion control and well-balanced meals.

Then life drastically changed for the Zipps. LuAnn's husband was deployed to Iraq in October 2006. But while her husband was gone, LuAnn continued to drop the pounds, viewing his return as motivation.

After one year with L A Weight Loss, LuAnn shrunk to half her size!!! She reached her weight loss goal, and now weighs in at 155 pounds. The difference is incredible, as LuAnn feels liberated from all the factors that led to her overeating.

Plus, almost all of her health problems are gone, and LuAnn has much more confidence in public. She even joined her local gym!

The best part: When LuAnn sent Robert pictures of her new body, he was shocked. Now, she can't wait for him to come home in December, when the Zipp family will enjoy a whole new kind of Christmas cheer! Way to go, LuAnn!

Here's LuAnn with her husband, weighing in at 301 pounds:



Here she is now, looking amazing at 155 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: LuAnn Zipp
Hometown: Fort Hood, Texas
Age: 30
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 310 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 155 pounds
Program start date: August 2006

Favorite food: Mexican.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Avoiding living the same overweight and unhealthy life that caused her grandmother's death.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting the temptation to cheat.

Old eating philosophy: Eating huge portions and multiple servings.

New eating philosophy: Munching on salads and other vegetables, and drinking a lot of water.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling lighter, and fitting into a size 6!

Best weight loss secret learned: Moderation is the key to everything.

Portly Portland chef reveals secret recipe for healthy weight loss

Never trust a skinny chef. Unless, of course, he's John Paulk.

John became a chef five years ago to fulfill his lifelong passion for cooking and entertaining. Equally lifelong -- his struggles with weight. So imagine his dilemma in a new profession where being overweight was socially acceptable.

John took this as an excuse to gain more weight, and quickly hit 233 pounds. He took Prilosec for gastric reflux, experienced serious heel pain, always felt short of breath -- and even suffered a mild stroke!

John felt like a young man trapped in an old man's body. Worse, he was hiding behind his weight, fearful of what people might think or say. John knew he had to make a change, or risk losing his health, happiness, and career.

He sampled many diet programs with little success, and didn't know what else to try. Then John heard a local radio host share his story about slimming down on L A Weight Loss.

The chef was inspired to experiment. He contacted the Lloyd L A Weight Loss Center in Portland, Ore. At first, John was skeptical, but the friendly, helpful counselors quickly put him at ease.

His personal counselor, Rhonda Leigh, met with John one-on-one to set goals and develop a meal plan based on vegetables, fruits, lean meat, and fiber. She also had him step on the scale every other day. This kept him accountable for his eating decisions.

Ever the cook, John adapted recipes at home and at work to fit his new menu and seasoned palate. This meant cutting fat, cooking without oil, grilling and roasting food, and opting for fewer calories. His favorite creation: a fat-free, flavorful marinade made without oil.

John also added exercise to his routine. He hit the gym six times a week, and worked with a personal trainer. Soon, he was doing 800 crunches, where before he couldn't even do 20!

The potent combination of diet and exercise helped John lose weight at a rate of 2 pounds per week. It wasn't long before he hit his goal weight of 180 pounds. He also shrunk his waist from 44 inches to 32, and built up muscle through his workout regimen.

The best part: having the energy, strength, and coordination for new adventures with his family. John went skiing for the first time with his sons, and started working out with his wife during the week. Plus, he no longer needs medication, and feels 10 years younger!

Now John can't wait to share his story with others. He always brings up L A Weight Loss on his radio show, “Food Talk.” And he cooks L A Weight Loss recipes during culinary segments on a local TV program.

John's inspiring message: If a chef can do it, so can you! Well done, John!

Here's John, on-air and overweight at 233 pounds:



And here he is at 180, hotter than a jalapeno! Talk about epicurean delights ;)



FAST FACTS

Name: John Paulk
Hometown: Portland, Ore.
Age: 44
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 233 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Program start date: February 2006

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: Nacho Cheese Doritos.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to set a healthy example for his three young sons.

Biggest obstacle: Becoming complacent and falling into old habits.

Old eating philosophy: Living to eat, drink, and be merry!

New eating philosophy: Adopting a healthier lifestyle, and choosing the right foods in the right portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Having more confidence, and adding years to his life.

Best weight loss secret learned: Write down what you eat, weigh in three times a week, and don't give up until you're finished!

How a haircut changed Dortha Bridges's life

Some women struggle with weight all their lives, while others are spared the teasing heavy people get as children.

Dortha Bridges fits the latter category. A trim 118 pounds during high school, she started gaining weight at age 18 after giving birth to the first of her three children.

Dortha grew heavier with each pregnancy, hitting 140 pounds after the third one. The pressure of raising a young family didn't help. The young mom could easily eat an entire bag of cookies and a pint of ice cream in one sitting.

Then her husband lost his job in 1987, forcing Dortha to work in the fast food industry. Shortly thereafter, her daughter became pregnant at age 16. The additional stress sent Dortha’s weight soaring.

She thought it couldn’t get worse -- until her husband died from a heart condition in 2002. Dortha relied on comfort food to ease her depression. She soon reached 240 pounds, and suffered acid reflux and knee pain.

Dortha tried several diets and workout programs, but gave up when she didn’t see any results. The situation looked hopeless. Then a routine trip to the hair salon turned into a lifeline when she noticed an L A Weight Loss center next door.

Dortha decided to try the program. She weighed in at 228 pounds in March 2005 and never looked back! Her personal L A Weight Loss counselors treated her like family, and taught her portion control and healthy eating choices.

This education made all the difference. Dortha dropped 78 pounds, and hit her 150-pound goal weight!! She also went from a size 22 to a size 12, looking 10 years younger and feeling like a 20-year-old.

The men have noticed her new confidence, too. Urged on by her children, Dortha entered the dating game again, and has found a new love who treats her like a queen. Not bad for a 53-year-old woman with five grandchildren!

Keep it going, Dortha! You are one sexy grandma!

Here is Dortha at 228 pounds:



And here she is at 150. Great work, Dortha!



FAST FACTS

Name: Dortha Bridges
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
Age: 53
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 228 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds
Program start date: March 2005

Favorite food: Chocolate.

Biggest temptation: Ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Seeing other people’s reaction to her success, and receiving recognition.

Biggest obstacle: Eating to cope with stress.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever she wanted, whether it was healthy or not.

New eating philosophy: Knowing everything she puts in her mouth has consequences.

Best thing about losing weight: Being healthy and feeling great.

Best weight loss secret learned: Portion control is habitual.

Michelle McCoy turns a mountain into a molehill

Michelle McCoy of Gadsden, Ala., almost saw her life flash before her eyes two summers ago. She was on vacation in the Smoky Mountains, and began to hike up the daunting Clingman's Dome. Navigating the tough terrain proved treacherous for Michelle. The reason? She weighed 221 pounds.

Michelle literally felt like she was going to have a heart attack and die that day. With high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux disease, and chronic swelling in her legs, Michelle was in no shape to hike mountains. Rather, it was time to march straight into her local Rainbow City L A Weight Loss center.

Michelle's counselor helped her become more conscious of what she was putting in her body. She nixed the hamburgers, junk food, and anything else that was high-fat and high-carb from her diet. No longer swinging by the fast-food joint for breakfast and lunch, she started eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and drinking more water.

Although Michelle encountered a few trouble spots along the way, she always remembered that frightening day in the Smoky Mountains, and was determined never to reach that dark point again. She kept up with the L A Weight Loss plan, and lost 67 pounds. She's now at 154 pounds!

Even better, Michelle's blood pressure, cholesterol, acid reflux, and swelling are all down. She also loves to garden, and is less stressed about life. She's even taken on remodeling her home!

Michelle's relationship with her husband is much better now, too. She says she feels comfortable in clothes or out of clothes. ;)

And Smoky Mountain? Piece of cake, she says. She believes she can definitely conquer it now, toute suite!

This is Michelle before, at 221 pounds:



Here's Michelle after, at 154 pounds! Amazing job, Michelle!



FAST FACTS

Name: Michelle McCoy
Hometown: Gadsden, Ala.
Age: 47
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 221 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 154 pounds
Program start date: October 2005

Favorite foods: Peanut butter and celery.

Biggest temptation: French fries.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy and avoiding heart problems.

Biggest obstacle: Having self control with the program.

Old eating philosophy: Grabbing anything that was fast and easy.

New eating philosophy: Eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, plus drinking only water, and watching her portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Watching her blood pressure, cholesterol, acid reflux, and swelling in her legs go down.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don't give up, even if you make mistakes sometimes. You can definitely do it!

From 265 pounds to running a 5k

When Gail Winkler went to the doctors and weighed seven more pounds than she did just a few days earlier, she knew she had to do something to take charge of her body.

But it wasn't that simple. Gail's weight had increased the effects of her sleep apnea, acid reflux disease, and fluid retention in her feet.

Gail was barely 50, but she felt like she was 80. That's when she went to the L A Weight Loss Center across the street from her office. In the last three years, she's dropped and kept off an amazing 117 pounds, and she's even decreased reliance on prescription meds for her various ailments.

What's more, her new body has encouraged her to return to her first love--teaching--and to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

Gail before, tipping the scales at 265 pounds:

After, at 147 pounds:

FAST FACTS

Name: Gail Winkler
Hometown: Russellville, Tenn.
Age: 48

Starting weight: 265 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 147 pounds
Program start date: August 2003

Biggest motivator: Getting rid of her chronic health problems: sleep apnea, swollen feet, and acid reflux.

Old eating philosophy: Lots of canned goods with additives and preservatives.
New eating philosophy: It's all about fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the energy to finish her first-ever 5k!

Best weight loss secret learned: People are too quick to think that gastric bypass is their only option, rather than the last possible resort.