Minn. mom becomes mini mom

Losing weight doesn't just change your eating habits, it changes your life. For Jess Zacharias, life changed dramatically for the better.

Jess was never thin. She had bad eating habits, and rarely exercised. And after two pregnancies, she lost control completely.

Her weight soared to 217 pounds. She developed kidney and gall bladder stones, was constantly winded, and had high blood pressure. Jess was also embarrassed to be seen in public, and felt ugly compared to girls who weighed less.

In 2006, Jess was asked to be a bridesmaid in her sister-in-law's wedding. When she went to the dress fitting though, she realized she was "the heavy one."

Then and there, Jess decided to take control of her weight. So she joined her local St. Paul Park, Minn., L A Weight Loss center.

Jess worked with the center's one-on-one weight loss counselors, who offered her tips and tricks to revamp her diet and lifestyle. She added plenty of fruits, vegetables, and chicken to her diet. Jess also started making smarter snacking choices. Instead of chips, she reached for rice cakes or yogurt.

Since joining L A Weight Loss in Nov. 2006, Jess has shed 61 pounds. She passed her weight loss goal of 160 pounds, and now weighs in at 156!

Jess hasn't just changed her diet, she's changed her entire life. She can do things now she couldn't before, such as wear cute clothes. Jess no longer tries to hide her body, and enjoys swimming in public pools.

The best part about losing weight is the confidence she's gained. She's no longer shy, and loves going out to meet old friends -- many of whom don't even recognize her. She's smaller now than she was in high school!

Jess's success has even inspired others to join L A Weight Loss. Her cousin and mom's best friend are now on the program, too. Congrats, Jess! We knew you could do it!

Here's Jess at 217 pounds, shortly before she joined L A Weight Loss:



And here she is today, at a slender 156 pounds. You look fantastic, Jess!



FAST FACTS

Name: Jess Zacharias
Hometown: St. Paul Park, Minn.
Age: 29
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 217 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 156 pounds
Program start date: November 2006

Favorite food: Chicken breast.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Getting encouraging responses from everyone.

Biggest obstacle: Eating out and still eating healthy.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Making healthier choices.

Best thing about losing weight: Seeing people's reactions.

Best weight loss secret learned: It's not a diet, it's a healthy lifestyle.

Dedicated mom finds the prescription to health and happiness

Pregnancy means eating for two, right? Wrong. Thinking you can eat whatever you want is a common misconception for many mothers-to-be.

Zoorina Davis found that out the hard way. She never struggled with weight until her first pregnancy, when she packed on 60 pounds and reached an all-time high of 246 pounds. Then, Zoorina became so absorbed with taking care of her baby that she didn't take care of herself.

When she was pregnant a second time, Zoorina put on weight again. She would regularly dine on fatty foods, using her pregnancy as an excuse for eating poorly.

To make matters worse, her husband traveled often for his job. This prompted Zoorina to turn to food for comfort when she was lonely or overwhelmed with caring for her children.

Then came the last straw. In 2003, Zoorina underwent surgery to remove her failing gall bladder, which was also causing kidney problems, as a result of her weight.

After surgery, Zoorina gained another 20 pounds. She was depressed and concerned about her health. Her physician filled out a prescription: "Go to weight loss center."

Zoorina had tried dieting before, but without success. So when she joined L A Weight Loss, she was afraid she wouldn't meet her goals -- again.

But this time, one-on-one support from her personal L A Weight Loss counselors made the difference. They transformed her diet by teaching her to eat five to six small meals a day.

Zoorina also learned that whipping up a healthy meal with chicken or fish was easier than she thought. And whenever she needed something sweet, she indulged in an L A Lite bar.

Her counselors also helped Zoorina get on a regimented exercise program, where she worked out five times a week.

Thanks to these lifestyle changes, Zoorina now weighs 156 pounds, and is well on her way to her goal weight of 136 pounds!

Better yet, Zoorina's healthy example has inspired her entire family to adopt her eating and exercise habits. Her most important lesson for her kids: If Mom can overcome a huge challenge, then they can too.

Losing weight has definitely changed Zoorina's life. She's more active with her husband and children, and enjoys her newfound self-confidence. Way to go, Zoorina -- you look fantastic!

Here's Zoorina at 246 pounds with two of her biggest weight-loss supporters:



And here she is 90 pounds lighter in her first little red dress! Talk about a 'Lady in Red!' Hot stuff!



FAST FACTS

Name: Zoorina Davis
Hometown: Higley, Ariz.
Age: 31
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 236 pounds
Goal weight: 136 pounds
Current weight: 156 pounds
Program start date: July 4, 2006

Favorite food: Pizza, salad, and chicken.

Biggest temptation: Chowing down on chocolate bars.

Biggest motivator: Her children and husband.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming her own discouraging fears of "I'm not losing enough" or "I'm not losing it quickly enough."

Old eating philosophy: Eating for comfort.

New eating philosophy: Eating to refuel her body, so she has more energy for more activities.

Best thing about losing weight: Seeing her husband's face -- especially when she dresses up!

Best weight loss secret learned: Use plateau breakers to keep losing the pounds. For example, for two days just eat fish, greens, and honeydew melon to break the plateau. It works!