Bride-to-be says "I do" to weight loss

If you're getting married and need to shed weight, take heart. It's a common bride-to-be problem. But some solutions are easier than others, as Nicole Marto of Green Bay, Wis., discovered.

Nicole led an active lifestyle, frequently playing softball and rollerblading. But when she was away from the field and sidewalks, she indulged in fast food, pizza, red meat, salty snacks, and whatever else satisfied her taste buds.

The extra calories pushed her weight to 217 pounds. She often felt uncomfortable in groups, and she would never be seen in a bathing suit. Instead, she hid behind baggy, dull clothing.

Though her eating habits were lacking, her love life was quite the opposite. She became engaged in June 2005, and couldn't wait to tie the knot. But it wasn't long before a dark cloud dampened her spirits.

It happened the following month when a D.J. on her local country music station talked about his success losing weight on the L A Weight Loss plan.

Nicole looked down at the sparkling diamond on her left hand. In a little more than a year, she'd be walking down the aisle. But at 217 pounds, would she be a beautiful bride?

Nicole didn't want to consider the negative. She resolved right then to lose enough weight to wear a size 6 wedding dress. And to do so, she'd join L A Weight Loss. Nicole called her local, Green Bay, Wis., center, and signed up that day.

She worked with her personal weight loss counselors, Carrie, Shannon, and Sarah, to develop a new eating routine. She incorporated more fish, vegetables, and fruit into her diet, while cutting back on fast food. L A Lite bars took care of her sweet cravings.

Nicole's counselors also taught her portion control. She knew just how much to eat to satisfy her hunger without over-indulging.

L A Weight Loss fit her lifestyle to a T. Amid planning her wedding (and two others she was standing in), juggling three jobs, and running a household, Nicole didn't have much time to devote to weight loss. But her counselors adapted the L A Weight Loss plan to her schedule, making it easy to drop the pounds.

After a year on the plan, Nicole shed 82 pounds, and reached her goal weight of 135 -- just in time for her wedding. She was so excited and happy to walk down the aisle in her size 6 dress, and say "I do" in front of family and friends.

Now happily married, Nicole continues to carry that energy with her. Even after working a nine-hour day, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband mowing the lawn and watering the flowers. And her husband loves to look at her even more ;)

She also recently sported a bikini for the first time in years, and loves wearing bright colors and tighter outfits. Overall, Nicole is more confident because she's discovered her true self. Nicole feels she's at the right weight, and can finally be herself: outgoing and vivacious!

But she isn't keeping her success a secret. She referred four people to the L A Weight Loss program, and they're all working toward their weight loss goals.

At her wedding, Nicole told her husband she would have and hold him forever. But there's something else she'll hold forever: the knowledge she gained about food and nutrition at L A Weight Loss. It's the key to helping her maintain her weight loss and healthy body for the rest of her life.

Way to go, Nicole! And good luck with your new marriage!

This is Nicole before, towing 217 pounds:



And this is Nicole after her transformation, now weighing 135. Wow, looking great, Nicole!



FAST FACTS

Name: Nicole Marto
Hometown: Green Bay, Wis.
Age: 24
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 217 pounds
Goal weight: 135 pounds
Current weight: 135 pounds
Program start date: July 2005

Favorite food: Italian.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Going to L A Weight Loss three times a week, and watching the number on the scale go down.

Biggest obstacle: None. Working with her counselors made losing weight. Simple!

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

New eating philosophy: Balancing her diet with more more vegetables, fruits, and protein.

Best thing about losing weight: Having much more confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink plenty of water. It's your friend!

Bride-to-be commits to weight loss

There's not a woman on the planet who doesn’t want to look her very best the day she says "I do." But for overweight women, it’s often the occasion that makes them say "I don't" to their extra pounds.

This was the case for Julia Stoy. She was 23 years old -- and 230 pounds heavy -- when she said "yes" to fiance Nathan.

Losing weight had always been on Julia's mind. But it was never a priority until she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and dangerously high cholesterol -- conditions she believed a young person shouldn't have to face.

Julia also watched her mother struggle with diabetes for years, and feared she was headed down the same path.

This fear, coupled with her engagement to Nathan, motivated her to join L A Weight Loss and get healthy. Julia joined the program in September 2005, a month after her engagement, and lost five pounds in the first week!

She incorporated healthier foods into her diet, such as eating yogurt for breakfast instead of sugary cereals or frozen breakfast foods. And for dinner, she substituted extra portions of vegetables for the dinner rolls she usually ate.

Sticking to the plan, Julia lost more weight, and soon discovered she could cross her legs. She also felt more comfortable wearing professional clothes to work. And she had enough energy to exercise by walking and lifting weights three to four times a week.

Best of all, Julia looked fabulous on her wedding day in October 2006, when she strutted down the aisle over 50 pounds lighter!

Now, at 173 pounds, she's well on her way to her 160-pound goal weight. Her husband is proud of her accomplishment, and notices his blushing bride is much happier, more confident, and more energetic, too.

Keep up the awesome work, Julia!

Here is Julia at 230 pounds with Nathan:



And here she is last summer. You look great, Julia!



And here are Mr. and Mrs. Stoy on their wedding day. Good luck, you lovebirds!



FAST FACTS

Name: Julia Stoy
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Age: 25
Height: 5’7"

Starting weight: 230 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 173 pounds
Program start date: September 2005

Favorite food: Apples dipped in peanut butter.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivators: Fearing health problems, and wanting to fit into a smaller bridal gown.

Biggest obstacle: Working long hours, which kept her from exercising.

Old eating philosophy: Eating healthily during the day, then binging at night.

New eating philosophy: Spreading out meals during the day, and eating starches earlier in the day.

Best thing about losing weight: Shopping for new, smaller clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Weight loss is easy when you eat the right portions from each food group.

The perfect wedding dress, in the not-so-perfect size

Many women keep an old pair of "skinny jeans" around as motivation to lose weight. But it’s not often women buy wedding dresses six sizes too small, then challenge themselves to fit in to them.

But Paula Ray did just that. The 43-year-old bride-to-be searched high and low before she fell in love with the perfect wedding dress. The good news: It was on sale for $99. The bad news: It was a size 6, and she wore a size 12.

Growing up, Paula never had a weight issue. It was only after she gave birth to her daughter, Amber Rose, that she starting gaining weight.

That was 26 years ago. She’d been trying to control her weight ever since. And when Paula quit smoking 12 years ago, the situation worsened, as she replaced cigarettes with food.

Then, in 1997, she saw promotional pictures of herself taken for her DJ business. Seeing what she looked like at 157 pounds made Paula realize she had to do something. She tried all the latest fad diets, but the weight kept coming back.

Enter John, the man Paula would marry. John proposed to Paula in 2004, and when she found the perfect dress -- but in half her size -- she joined L A Weight Loss for help.

Paula needed to hit her weight goal of 126 pounds and lose 4 inches to zip up her dress ... which is exactly what she did! She was quite the blushing bride as she walked down the aisle comfortably in her size 6 dress in February 2005.

Her family and friends have noticed a big change in Paula, too. She’s come out of her shell, and is more vibrant and full of life than ever.

Way to go Paula!!

Here is Paula at 157 pounds:



And here she is at a svelte 124 pounds. Fantastic job, Paula!



FAST FACTS

Name: Paula Ray
Hometown: Minneapolis
Age: 43
Height: 5’6"

Starting weight: 157 pounds
Goal weight: 125 pounds
Current weight: 124 pounds
Program start date: September 2004

Favorite food: Pizza.

Favorite L A Weight Loss recipe: Jambalaya.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Fitting into her size 6 wedding dress.

Biggest obstacle: Finding the motivation to exercise.

Old eating philosophy: Heaping portions of pizza, fettuccine, donuts, and chocolate ice cream.

New eating philosophy: Healthy servings of shrimp, salads, fruits, vegetables, and sugar-free applesauce.

Best thing about losing weight: Raising her self-esteem, and fitting into her size 6 wedding dress in time for the big day.

Best weight loss secret learned: Look for little ways to add extra exercise into your day. At work, Paula walks to the water fountain on another floor, rather than use the one near her office.

UPDATE: Paula just sent us photos from her wedding. Check out how stunning she looks in that size 6 dress!

Brenda Erfle-Clark goes from dating slump to beautiful bride

Brenda Erfle-Clark was always "the nice one" with the "good personality." Growing up in the small town of Rapelje, Mont. (population: 100), she was the heavy kid who got teased.

She was self-conscious, especially around boys, a trait that followed her through college. When she turned 26, she weighed 212 pounds.

Then her sister Tracy had a baby in 2003. The following year, she checked out L A Weight Loss to drop the lingering post-pregnancy weight. Brenda tagged along.

Unfortunately, her sister lived too far from the center to keep up with the program while raising a newborn. But Brenda decided to join with her roommate Craig.

As Brenda dropped the weight, she also shed her self-conscious exterior. In September 2005, Brenda caught the eye of Kenny Clark. Two years after starting L A Weight Loss, Brenda reached her goal weight -- and married Kenny. The wedding date: Oct. 21, 2006.

Today the newlywed is the happiest she's ever been, and credits the support of her L A Weight Loss counselors. Brenda has since convinced her cousin Amy to join the program, and Amy lost 30 pounds!

Here's Brenda before, with roommate Craig:



And here's the beautiful blushing bride at 160 pounds! It's a fairytale come true!



FAST FACTS

Name: Brenda Erfle-Clark
Hometown: Loring, Mont.
Age: 29

Starting weight: 212 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: October 2004

Biggest temptation: Chocolate and cheese.

Biggest motivator: Finally being happy with her body.

Old eating philosophy: Eating out a lot, and giving in to her cravings.

New eating philosophy: Still has the cravings, but learned how to eat in moderation.

Best thing about losing weight: Wearing clothes she likes, rather than what fits. And, of course, meeting husband Craig!

Best weight loss secret learned: Losing weight is not about going from bad to good. You were beautiful before you lost the weight. Now you're just better.

Bride gets a dream body for her dream wedding

Instead of saying "I do" during her wedding, Jamie Romine-Aschbacher might as well have said, "I did it!"

That's because she lost 120 pounds (yes, you read that right) over a year and a half to become the beautiful -- and slender! -- blushing bride to her one and only, Chuck Aschbacher, last April.

Jamie was 280 pounds when she joined L A Weight Loss in 2003, not as a client, but as an employee. Then she decided to try the program herself after her engagement.

She told me she was surprised at how easy it was to live her normal life (including nights out with her girlfriends) and still drop the weight.

You can read more about Jamie's amazing transformation from misery to marriage in Modern Bride's special Beauty and Fitness issue, which is out now.

Here's Jamie before she started on her L A Weight Loss plan diet, at 280 pounds (OMG!):



And look at the beautiful 160-pound bride:



Pretty amazing, isn't it? Talk about a happy ending!

FAST FACTS

Name: Jamie Romine-Aschbacher
Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Age: 31

Starting weight: 280 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: September, 2003

Biggest motivator: Her wedding day, April 29, 2006.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to cross her legs!

Best weight loss secret learned: If you don't change your eating behavior, the weight will come back.

Wedding day slim down leads to lifelong changes

Every bride wants to look perfect on her wedding day, and Angela Ganey was no exception, though her transformation was certainly exceptional! In the two years preceeding her big day she worked hard to drop a whopping 140 pounds.

And lest she get too comfortable with married life, she's maintained her new figure to this day -- even dropping another five to meet her goal weight of 145 pounds. This was no easy feat.

Angela, like her mother, struggled with her weight all her life, and says she can’t remember the last time she was this thin. Her mom had several surgeries for her weight, and her dad suffered a stroke.

While Angela herself never suffered anything as serious as a stroke or diabetes, she did experience back problems because of her weight, and she sought the help of a chiropractor.

Though she’s come a long way, Angela still sees a 200-pound woman when she looks in the mirror. The images of that period of her life are hard to erase.

But that hasn't stopped her from playing with her four-year-old son, Trystan, without losing her breath, and happily greeting her husband, who just returned from Iraq.

Before, at close to 300 pounds:


Now a true hot momma at 150 pounds!!


FAST FACTS

Name: Angela Ganey
Hometown: Ball, La.
Age: 27

Starting weight: 290 pounds
Goal weight: 145/140 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds
Program start date: 2001

Favorite food: Baked chicken and mixed vegetables.

Biggest temptation: Hamburgers and fries.

Biggest motivator: Wanted to lose weight before her wedding, March 15, 2003.

Biggest obstacle: Family history of weight and health issues.

Old eating philosophy: Breakfast: 3 bowls of cereal, biscuits, sausage, and eggs. Lunch: 2-3 Taco Bell bean burritos plus nachos, or hamburgers and fries -- all super-sized. Dinner: Anything goes! Fried fish, mashed potatoes, or vegetables drowned in butter.

New eating philosophy: Much healthier! A typical breakfast is a half-cup of cereal with fat-free milk and some fruit. And she still hits the drive-through, but goes for the salads instead of the grease.

Best thing about of losing weight: Running and playing with her son without feeling out of breath.

Best weight loss secret learned: Realizing that losing weight is not an overnight success, and there will be ups and downs.