My L A Weight Loss Diary

Daily musings for and about real women and men who are reshaping their bodies and their lives on the LA Weight Loss program. To become one of our bloggers, write to Blogger@myLAweightlossdiary.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

JoDee Hungneff gets comfortable with a healthier life

Everyone wants to be comfortable in their own skin. After all, it's inside that counts most. But for some people, that comfort can lead to seriously uncomfortable health problems. Just ask JoDee Hungneff.

JoDee always considered herself fairly active. She enjoyed playing tennis and fast pitch softball, and was happy with the way she looked. After college however, JoDee's fast food fixes and fatty snacking habits sent her weight soaring.

She married her husband in 2001, and didn't worry too much about her increasing weight. She was happy and comfortable with herself. But as the numbers on the scale inched higher each year, JoDee came to know the uncomfortable health problems associated with obesity.

At 320 pounds, JoDee couldn't even walk up the stairs without getting winded. She couldn't bend over to tie her shoes or paint her nails, and forget about walking anywhere. Plus, she had almost constant back and knee pain, and her blood pressure was dangerously high.

Even worse, JoDee's self-confidence plummeted. She was embarrassed to go out in public, and felt like she was always being judged for her weight. At an amusement park, JoDee was asked to get off a rollercoaster because she was too heavy.

As life got harder for JoDee, her motivation for losing weight increased. And in 2007, she joined her local Rockford, Ill., L A Weight Loss center. She was paired with one-on-one counselor Jennifer, who taught JoDee what a healthy diet consisted of.

Out went her constant fast food meals, sugary binges, and high-calorie sodas. Instead, JoDee planned her meals around grilled vegetables, fresh fruit, lean meats, and water.

For snacks, JoDee enjoyed L A Lite bars, as well as the L A Weight Loss biscottis. By spacing out her meals in the right proportions throughout the day, it wasn't long before the pounds melted away.

After one year on the L A Weight Loss program, JoDee has lost 102 pounds. She now weighs 218 pounds, two pounds less than her original goal weight. JoDee is currently on maintenance, but has had so much success with L A Weight Loss, she's considering going back on the weight loss program to lose some more!

JoDee also has a new exercise regimen now. During the warm weather, she tries to walk outside five days a week. And during the harsh midwest winters, JoDee keeps active with her exercise tapes.

Since losing weight, life has become so much easier for JoDee. Her blood pressure has decreased, and her knee and back pain has subsided. Best of all, losing weight has sent JoDee's confidence soaring. Her relationship with her husband is stronger than ever before, and JoDee's never been happier.

JoDee is comfortable in a whole new, healthier way. And we're proud of her! Way to go, JoDee!

Here's JoDee last year at 320 pounds:



And here she is today at 218 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: JoDee Hungneff
Hometown: Loves Park, Ill.
Age: 36
Height: 5'9"

Starting weight: 320 pounds
Goal weight: 220 pounds
Current weight: 218 pounds
Program start date: January 2007

Favorite food: Strawberries.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Watching the TV show, "The Biggest Loser."

Biggest obstacle: Avoiding junk food temptations at family gatherings.

Old eating philosophy: Eating fast food, fried food, and fatty snacks whenever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating fruits, vegetables, and grilled foods; and drinking water.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling 100 percent better -- physically and emotionally.

Best weight loss secret learned: Ditch the high-calorie sodas for water.

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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Loves Park mom hearts her new healthy lifestyle

Tari Taylor of Love Park, Ill., has a lot to love in life. Bowling, the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and most of all, her family and friends. But when Tari's weight got in the way of the things she loved most, she knew something had to change.

Tari struggled with her weight her entire life. At 259 pounds, she had low self esteem, asthma, and knee pain. Plus, her weight made her irritable. She knew she wasn't enjoying life to its full potential.

Tari tried every diet under the sun, but nothing worked. When a co-worker experienced success on L A Weight Loss, Tari decided to give it a try. So last June, Tari joined her local Radford, Ill., L A Weight Loss Center.

Her one-on-one weight loss counselor taught Tari how to get control of her eating habits for life.
She cut back on the beef, bagels, starches, and fast foods; and replaced them with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, yogurt, and water.

Most important, Tari learned how crucial portion control is. And whenever she needed a snack, she always grabbed an L A Lite bar to satisfy her sweet tooth and keep her hunger at bay.

As the pounds started to melt away, Tari found that her energy increased. She now exercises three times a week, and has plenty of energy left over to stay busy shopping, taking pictures, bowling, and watching her daughter play volleyball. In fact, she's so busy now she barely has time to dwell on eating.

Since joining L A Weight Loss, Tari has dropped 80 pounds. At 179 pounds, she's well past her goal weight of 199 pounds. Her health has improved, and her self-confidence and happiness is through the roof. Tari loves her new, healthy lifestyle, and best of all, she loves herself.

Here's Tari in June 2007 at 259 pounds:



Here she is today looking fit and fantastic at 179 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Tari Taylor
Hometown: Loves Park, Ill.
Age: 44
Height: 5'10"

Starting weight: 259 pounds
Goal weight: 199 pounds
Current weight: 179 pounds
Program start date: June 2007

Favorite food: Shrimp.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Looking at "before" and "after" pictures of herself.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting temptation from others to eat foods she shouldn't.

Old eating philosophy: Eating as much as she wanted, of whatever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthier foods in healthier portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Buying new, smaller clothes; and having people tell her how wonderful she looks.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stick to your potion control and drink water!

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