Glenna Vandergon's weighting time is over

It's nice to think we'll be healthy forever. But for most of us, something inevitably arises that reminds us to take better care of ourselves. For Glenna Vandergon, that something was being diagnosed as pre-diabetic.

Glenna struggled with her weight as a child. She was an active kid, but filled up on empty calories and not enough fruits and vegetables.

She took these habits into adulthood. Glenna's mother was overweight, and Glenna knew she was on the same path to a lifetime of obesity.

At 270 pounds in her 50s, Glenna was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. She already had arthritis and high blood pressure, and if she didn't take better care of herself -- and fast -- she would soon open the door to even more health problems.

She had no time to spare. Glenna tried dieting. She was able to lose weight, but then discovered one of her thyroid glands wasn't working. And just like that, she gained all of her weight back. No matter how hard she tried, Glenna couldn't shed the weight again.

Then in June 2007, she decided to try L A Weight Loss. Glenna joined her local Eagan Prairie, Minn., L A Weight Loss center, and was paired up with a personal weight loss counselor. Her counselor taught her the ABCs of a healthy lifestyle. Glenna realized that not only what she was eating, but when she was eating was contributing to her weight gain.

Glenna portioned her food into smaller meals throughout the day, starting with a good breakfast. She cut back on starches, carbs, and fried foods, and boosted her daily intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and water.

Since joining L A Weight loss, Glenna's lost 76 pounds! Now at 194, she's getting closer to her goal weight of 150 everyday. But she notices the benefits of healthy eating in more areas of her life than just weight.

Glenna has more stamina, lower blood pressure, reduced arthritis, and higher self confidence. By incorporating walking and a stationary bike into her daily routine, Glenna is now able to make it around the block and then some. Most days she walks over a mile.

To stay on track, Glenna says the support of her husband and family has been a huge help. And as her 40th anniversary approaches, Glenna has high hopes for fitting into her wedding dress -- a personal goal she set at the beginning of her weight loss journey.

Great job, Glenna! Looks like a healthier life "a-weights!"

Here's Glenna in 2007 at 270 pounds:

And here she is in 2008, happy at 194 pounds:

FAST FACTS:

Name: Glenna Vandergon
Hometown: Chaska, Minn.
Age: 57
Height: 5'2"

Starting weight: 270 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 194 pounds
Program start date: June, 2007

Favorite food: Tilapia.

Biggest temptation: Having to go in the kitchen and cook.

Biggest motivator: The way her husband looks at her.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past the everyday temptations.

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

New eating philosophy: Eating the right foods at the right times, in the right portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling her husband wrap his arms all the way around her.

Best weight loss secret learned: Just because you're on a diet, doesn't mean you're going to go hungry.

Husband and wife pair up for double the weight loss

A marriage bonds two people together for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. When Christa and Justin Erp said their vows, they had no idea they'd stick so closely to those words by becoming inspirations for each other and models of good health.

Christa and Justin had been overweight since childhood. Their bad eating habits and fast food fixes followed them into adulthood, and so did the extra pounds. After their wedding in 2003, their bad eating habits combined, and they each gained an additional 30 pounds.

They rarely cooked meals at home. Most dinners were eaten at Mexican, pizza, and burger joints. And everything was smothered in calorie-laden sauces and dressings. Even their drinks were high in calories.

By 2005, Christa weighed 267 pounds. Justin weighed 408 pounds. Their weight made it difficult to be active, so nights out usually didn't extend much farther than their local movie theater. They couldn't shop at regular stores, settling instead for less stylish garb at stores that carried their sizes.

On Jan. 1, 2006, Christa and Justin had enough. They went to their local Burnsville, Minn., L A Weight Loss center and signed up. They knew that this challenge would be easier as a team.

Christa and Justin worked with their personal weight loss counselor, who taught them the ins and outs of healthy living. They learned that dropping the pounds meant dropping most of their fast food habits.

Justin took over most of the cooking responsibilities, and prepared meals with lean meats and vegetables. Their grill was in use year-round. Snacks usually centered around fruit, and they drank plenty of water throughout the day.

When Christa and Justin went out to eat -- usually only one or two times a week -- they knew which smart choices to make to stick with their healthy lifestyle change. They still ate the foods they loved, but learned how to eat them in the proper portions.

In a year, Christa lost 109 pounds, and currently weighs 158 pounds. And Justin weighs 297 pounds, down 111 pounds from his starting weight. Since dropping the pounds, life has gotten much better for the weight loss duo.

They've become more active, enjoying everything from walking their dogs to working out at the gym. Their couch potato days are definitely behind them. They can also shop wherever they want, and don't have to worry about not fitting into clothes.

Christa and Justin have definitely taken every step to make sure they'll be together in health. Way to go, you two!

Here are the love birds at 267 and 408 pounds:



And here they are today, collectively 220 pounds lighter, at 158 and 297 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Christa Erp
Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.
Age: 30
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 267 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 158 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Mexican.

Biggest temptation: Pizza and ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Trying on smaller sizes at the store after losing weight.

Biggest obstacle: Eating right when not eating at home.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever tasted good.

New eating philosophy: Making meals with grilled chicken, vegetables, and fruits.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling confident with who she is.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can eat your favorite foods and still lose weight.



Name: Justin Erp
Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.
Age: 29
Height: 6'2"

Starting weight: 408 pounds
Goal weight: 225 pounds
Current weight: 297 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Grilled chicken.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Losing weight with Christa.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past plateaus.

Old eating philosophy: Eating too much of the wrong foods.

New eating philosophy: Eating everything in proper portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Knowing how much weight loss has changed his life.

Best weight loss secret learned: Fruit is a great snack that also helps you lose weight.

Sharon Rutti sheds a lifetime of bad habits

Old habits aren't the only ones that die hard. So do bad habits. And when a bad habit like overeating sticks with somebody their entire life, it's unlikely they'll kick the tendency. But don't tell that to Sharon Rutti.

Weight was a problem for Sharon since childhood. She knew she had bad eating habits, but lacked the willpower to change them. Sharon's philosophy: Eat anything, any time.

As a result, her weight climbed each year. By the time Sharon reached 60, she weighed 352 pounds. Breathing was difficult, and she could do little else besides sit in a chair all day. Sharon also suffered from dangerously high blood pressure and arthritic knees.

She tried a number of diets -- and even had her stomach stapled. But still the weight came back. Nothing taught her proper nutrition, so her bad eating habits continued, even though Sharon knew her weight was killing her.

Desperate for change, she joined her local Nainamo, British Columbia, L A Weight Loss center in January 2006. Sharon worked closely with her personal weight loss counselor, Genedine, who taught her portion control as the key to a healthy diet.

Sharon was soon eating in moderation. She found that by monitoring her portions and eating a number of small meals throughout the day, she was able to overcome her toughest cravings. Sharon also cut back on fast food, fried food, and bread, while adding fruits and vegetables.

Since joining L A Weight Loss, Sharon has lost 110 pounds -- halfway to her weight loss goal of 130 pounds! At 242 pounds, Sharon has already changed her life dramatically. She can now do everyday activities with ease, and loves to fish, camp, and play with her grandson.

Sharon's health has improved, too. Her blood pressure dramatically decreased, and her arthritis is less painful. She even has the energy to swim and do aqua exercises at her community pool.

Best of all, Sharon's new weight has given her a more positive outlook on life. She's much happier, and knows she's taken an important step to living longer.

Sharon has shown everyone it's never too late to change your life. Way to go, Sharon! Keep up the good work!

Here's Sharon before at 352 pounds:



And here she is today at 242 pounds. Halfway there, Sharon! Keep it up!




FAST FACTS

Name: Sharon Rutti
Hometown: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Age: 62
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 352 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 242 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Fruit.

Biggest temptation: Resisting sweets and bread.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from her family.

Biggest obstacle: Breaking through the plateau.

Old eating philosophy: Eating as much as she wanted, whenever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthier, and knowing when she's satisfied.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good about herself.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you eat properly, you can be satisfied without cheating.

Georgia woman's life goes from pits to peaches

Everyone loves a Georgia peach, but you certainly don't want to be round like one! Yet that's how Pamela Leadbeater of Deluth, Ga., looked when her weight troubles reached the darkest pits.

It all started after having four kids, when Pamela had trouble keeping her weight down. She opted for fatty and fast foods when hunger struck, and didn't pay much attention to portion sizes. Menu choices included regular-fat dairy products and regular-sodium bacon.

Worse, Pamela's metabolism slowed as she got older, making it more difficult to keep the weight off and stay active. She soared to 262 pounds.

Pamela tried several fad diets and pills to drop the weight. One diet consisted only of cheese, meat, and pork. It worked initially, and she lost 54 pounds. But then Pamela gained it all back -- plus some! -- because the plan didn't teach her how to eat right, and she couldn't eat a variety of foods.

Meanwhile, her arthritis in her knees was worsening, making it painful to walk. She had difficulty breathing, and little energy. She couldn't even bend down to touch her toes.

Pamela was frustrated. She knew there was a thinner woman inside, she just had to find the way to reveal her.

She had heard about L A Weight Loss, and was almost too embarrassed to visit the center. But Pamela summoned her courage, and when she walked in, was pleasantly surprised. She quickly felt at ease, as a personal weight loss counselor sat down with her to discuss her weight troubles.

After the meeting, Pamela knew L A Weight Loss would provide the support and guidance she needed, and signed up. The counselors and nutrition experts taught her how to eat healthy, properly portioned foods. They also directed her to the L A Lite cookbook for simple meals she could easily prepare at home.

Yummy dishes included salads, chicken, turkey, low-fat yogurt and milk, and low-sodium bacon. That way she could still enjoy foods she loved, but in healthy ways. And once Pamela learned how tasty eating right could be, she stopped hitting the fast food drive-thru, too.

Today Pamela is 62 pounds lighter, weighing in at 200 pounds! She's well on her way to her goal weight of 160. Breathing comes easily for her now, and she has much more energy. Plus, she can reach her toes, and enjoys exercising and walking.

Better yet, Pamela no longer feels ashamed of her appearance. She loves feeling healthier, and is motivated to stay on the L A Weight Loss program because she's thrilled with the results.

In fact, Pamela believes L A Weight Loss is the best thing she's ever done for herself. She has a fresh outlook on life, and feels like a new, younger woman.

Way to go, Pamela! Keep us posted on your progress!

This is Pamela in the pits, at 262 pounds:



And here's the sweet Georgia peach now, at 200 pounds! Great job, Pamela!



FAST FACTS

Name: Pamela Leadbeater
Hometown: Deluth, Ga.
Age: 58
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 262 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 200 pounds
Program start date: Sept. 13, 2006

Favorite food: Lasagna.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Being on a structured program.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging in fast food.

New eating philosophy: Making sure everything she eats is healthy.

Best thing about losing weight: Having a new lease on life.

Best weight loss secret learned: Listen to your counselors!

"Queen of Sweets" gives her health the royal treatment

Sweets are a common temptation for many people struggling to lose weight. But they were more than that for Margaret Mondragon, as she gorged on cookies and ice cream daily.

She called herself the "Queen of Sweets," but it was really the cakes and cookies that were in control -- until she found the way to defeat the enemy.

Margaret had a petite, 5'2", 97-pound frame as a teenager growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas. Then she had her first daughter, Monica, at age 17. Her weight crept up a little. She went from a size 16 girls before pregnancy, to a size 13 juniors afterward.

Margaret had her second daughter Amanda five years later. Then, four months after she gave birth, her doctor discovered her colon was lined with millions of polyps. If Margaret didn't have surgery right away, she wouldn't live to see 30.

She was rushed into surgery, and had her colon removed. But it was such a shock for her body that her thyroid became inactive. Her metabolism dropped, and over the years, the pounds came on.

Her intense cravings for sweets didn't help matters. She considered her daily intake of cookies, cakes, donuts, and ice cream one of her food groups. Margaret also developed arthritis in her knees, and just wanted to sleep all the time.

Then one day last year, Margaret stepped on her scale. She was shocked when it read 250 pounds. She was bigger than her husband!

She had heard about L A Weight Loss's one-on-one counseling and real-food eating, and thought she'd give it a try.

Margaret joined the San Antonio center, and worked with her personal weight loss counselor, Michelle, to transform her eating habits. She still has a "sweet" food group, but now it includes fresh fruits and no cookies or cakes. She also drinks at least 64 oz. of water daily.

All told, Margaret lost 111 pounds, and is now down to 139 pounds. She weighs less than her husband again, and she's showing it off!

You can find her running 5k's (her fastest time is 37 minutes and 51 seconds for "Race for the Cure"), and playing basketball and soccer with her 11-year-old grandson Andrew.

Plus, her arthritis is gone, and her metabolism has increased. Margaret also motivated three friends to join L A Weight Loss, and get their health back on track. This queen really has conquered it all! Congrats, Margaret!

UPDATES: Margaret's husband recently bought a motorcycle and the couple enjoys riding it together. He refers to her as his "teenage-college wife" -- which Margaret loves!

Margaret also just ran in the Beach-to-Bay Relay Marathon in Corpus Christi, and finished her 4-mile leg in 51 minutes and 47 seconds without skipping a breath. She says she owes her accomplishment all to L A Weight Loss. She's already created a team for next year’s race!

This is Margaret before, at 250 pounds:



And this is the new Margaret, regal at 139 pounds. WOW! Great job, Margaret!



FAST FACTS

Name: Margaret Mondragon
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Age: 49
Height: 5'2"

Starting weight: 250 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 139 pounds
Program start date: Jan. 18, 2006

Favorite food: Seafood.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Watching the pounds come off each week when she weighed in.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming cravings for sweets, and fighting hypothyroidism.

Old eating philosophy: Consuming lots of cookies, cakes, ice cream, and soda.

New eating philosophy: Incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and water into her diet.

Best thing about losing weight: Weighing less than her husband.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can lose weight by replacing cookies and cakes with fruits. They're sweet like candy without the calories.

Losing the weight for a warm embrace

There are few things in this world Judy Pederson misses more than her daughter's arms wrapping all the way around her. Yet that's exactly what she was missing when she tipped the scales at 272 pounds, and her daughter could no longer give her a big bear hug.

The 48-year-old physical therapist also found it hard to motivate her patients while she was carrying all that weight. To complicate matters, Judy's blood pressure crept up, and she began to experience some arthritis.

While Judy tried other weight loss plans, she was never able to keep the weight off. Desperate, she even considered gastric bypass surgery, but the procedure's complications scared her away.

Finally, Judy's frustration level hit its peak when she couldn't enjoy going out anymore. So she walked into the Madison, Tenn., L A Weight Loss in June 2005 -- and lost 10 pounds just in the first week!

Motivated by this early success, Judy began walking 2 miles a day. Now, she has worked her way up to walking 4.5 miles a day!

The new eating habits and exercise helped Judy meet -- and surpass! -- her goal weight of 150 pounds. She's now a slender 130 pounds ... and that's an accomplishment worthy of some hugs. Way to go, Judy!

Here's Judy at 272 pounds:



And look at her now at 130 pounds! Wow, Judy, great job!



FAST FACTS

Name: Judy Pederson
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Age: 48

Starting weight: 272 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Program start date: June 2005

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Biggest motivator: Getting on the scale each week and seeing the numbers go down.

Biggest obstacle: Getting outside to exercise during the winter.

Old eating philosophy: Eating buttered bread, pasta, donuts and muffins.

New eating philosophy: Cooking grilled chicken, fish, vegetables, and whole wheat pasta.

Best thing about losing weight: Building a positive attitude about her life.

Best weight loss secret learned: The right combination of a healthy diet and exercise will help you lose the weight -- and keep it off!

Angela Williams loses half her size, discovers a whole new person

Angela Williams is a true weight loss super star. She lost over HALF her weight (!), and was featured in People Magazine’s ‘Half Their Size’ feature in May.

Angela was overweight from a young age. In fifth grade she was already 180 pounds. She was constantly teased, and couldn’t cross her legs. As she got older, Angela only got bigger, and developed arthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and was borderline diabetic.

Her wake-up call came when her aunt died of heart disease. Angela knew she had to stop with the excuses and start losing weight. She joined L A Weight Loss, cut out the fast food and snacks, and later started walking to help work the weight off.

In two years, Angela was a new woman. She can finally wear skirts and capris, and feels 100 percent happier and more confident!

Here's Angela at nearly 400 pounds:



And look at her now!! WOW!!! Awesome job, Angela!

FAST FACTS

Name: Angela Williams
Hometown: Alexander, La.
Age: 27
Height: 5 ft. 5 in.

Starting weight: 367 pounds
Goal weight: 190 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Program start date: April 7, 2004

Favorite foods: Chicken breasts and low-fat cheese.

Biggest temptations: Cap’n Crunch and fast food.

Best thing about of losing weight: Feeling great, and knowing she’ll live longer.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stick to the L A Weight Loss plan!!!