Arizona mom breaks the weight gain chain

Many men and women don't realize they need to lose weight until the suffer the actual physical effects of obesity, such as high blood pressure, sore joints, or diabetes. Terrie Lemesh, however, was relatively healthy; it was her mother's weight-related health problems that really inspired her to get healthy.

Terrie ran a childcare program from her home, which was detrimental to her diet. Every time she fed the kids, she ate too, whether it was macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, or snacks. Then she'd have dinner on top of that.

At 227 pounds, Terrie had trouble keeping up with her kids. Her knees ached and she had shin splints. Her mother was overweight, and had suffered from a heart attack at an early age. Terrie knew she should get healthy before it was too late.

She wanted to lose weight, but wasn't sure how. Terrie dieted for months without results. Her doctor suggested she choose one diet, and stick with it.

So Terrie decided to give L A Weight Loss a try. She joined her local Avondale, Ariz., L A Weight Loss center and was paired up with a personal weight loss counselor, Cindy.

Cindy taught Terrie the ABC's of dieting success, and what she should and should not be eating. Terrie added lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to her diet, which she rarely ate before. She also added lean meats and other important proteins.

Terrie now resists the urge to grab a forkful of macaroni and cheese, and instead waits for her own dinner of whole wheat pasta. When she craves a sweet treat, she grabs an L A Lite bar, which satisfies her chocolate need.

It wasn't long before Terrie's weight started to drop, and her energy started to rise. Since she was getting around easier, she started exercising. Now, Terrie enjoys biking, hiking, and going to the gym.

Most of all, she enjoys all the new time she can spend with her family. Terrie also loves being able to shop in any store she wants. And for the first time in over a decade, she can fit into all the cute clothes.

After a year and half on the program, Terrie now weighs 140 pounds. Her self esteem has sky rocketed, and she's healthier than she's been in years. Terrie wants to be healthy for life, and is proud that she broke the family weight gain chain. Way to go, Terrie! We're proud of you!

Here's Terrie at 227 pounds with her husband:



And here she is today, looking fantastic at 140 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Terrie Lemesh
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Age: 36
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 227 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 87 pounds
Program start date: March 2007

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Fitting into smaller clothes.

Biggest obstacle: Getting out and working out.

Old eating philosophy: Overeating.

New eating philosophy: Becoming a health nut.

Best thing about losing weight: Being healthy, buying the clothes she wants, and having more family time.

Best weight loss secret learned: Watch what you're eating even with healthy food. Keep track of everything.

Dee Lindamood leaves her wedding weight in the dust

There's many women out there who wish they were the same size today as they were on their wedding day. But 28 years after her wedding, Dee Lindamood wanted to shed some major pounds, and leave her wedding weight in the dust.

Dee struggled with weight her entire life. As far back as she can remember, she had a few extra pounds to lug around. She hadn't been athletic, and her diet was lacking. Dee didn't eat particularly unhealthy foods, but she ate too much of everything on her plate.

In particular, she chowed down on breads and heavy starches. When Dee went out to eat, she could often eat an entire loaf of bread before the main course even arrived. And as her age increased, so did her weight.

Dee struggled emotionally and physically because of her weight. At 300 pounds, she had constant knee, joint, feet, and back pain. And she couldn't walk far without losing her breath. Plus, at her weight she knew it wouldn't be long before she was plagued with illnesses that ran in her family, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer.

Even worse, Dee was embarrassed to be seen in public, especially with her husband and daughter, who didn't have weight problems. She always felt like people were looking at her and judging her. And she hated never being able to shop in "regular" women's stores.

But Dee didn't want it to be this way. She knew she was a good mom, but she wanted to get healthy so she could be an even better one (and eventually, a great grandmother too). After a number of failed diet attempts, Dee decided to try L A Weight Loss.

In September 2007, she joined her local Hickory, N.C., L A Weight Loss center, where she was paired up with a one-on-one weight loss counselor. Her counselor helped Dee see the error of her eating ways, and create a diet plan that fit her life.

Dee cut back on all the carbs and starches, and she added more fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, and water to her diet. Now, instead of steak, Dee will have fish. Instead of a baked potato, she'll have a salad. And instead of a Dr. Pepper, she'll have a glass of water.

With these little changes, Dee saw big results. Almost immediately, Dee started to shed pounds. And as her weight decreased, her confidence and energy increased. Before long, Dee was sweating it out with other gym-goers at her local athletic club. Then the pounds really melted away.

After less than a year on the program, Dee has lost a total of 155 pounds! At 145 pounds, she's 5 pounds lighter than her goal weight (and 35 pounds lighter than she was on her wedding day almost 30 years ago)!

Dee she feels like her entire life has changed. Her relationship with her husband is better than ever, and she's thankful to him for his constant support throughout her entire weight loss process.

She can do things that she couldn't do before, such as ride amusement park rides, wear cute clothes, play with kids on the floor, fit into restaurant booths, and work out for extended periods of time.

Best of all, she feels great. She loves going shopping with her husband at regular department stores, and feels great when he picks our something totally feminine for her. Congratulations, Dee! We're proud of you!

Here's Dee weighing in at 300 pounds:



And here she is today, looking fit and fabulous at 145 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Dee Lindamood
Hometown: Newton, N.C.
Age: 47
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 300 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 145 pounds
Program start date: September 2007

Favorite food: Flat Bread.

Biggest temptation: Resisting the bread at restaurants.

Biggest motivator: Getting constant support from her husband.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting brownies and other sweets in the lunch room at work.

Old eating philosophy: Constantly eating bread and butter, pasta, pizza, potatoes, nachos and soda.

New eating philosophy: Making meals with flat bread, salad, vegetables, and fish; and drinking more water

Best thing about losing weight: Fitting into a size 8.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat what you love and lose weight.

Tragedy inspires Judi Matts to drop half her size

Judi Matts didn’t wake up one morning and decide to lose weight. A series of events played out in her life which sparked her desire to get healthy.

As a child, Judi was overweight. She is one of five girls, and among them, three have been obese their whole lives. Two are “model skinny,” as Judi likes to put it.

When she reached 322 pounds, Judi felt all she could do was eat food and go to the movies. She wasn’t social at all. She was afraid that if she tried to do fun things, she would fail and be embarrassed. One her worst fears was sitting in a seat that was too small for her.

The side effects of Judi's obesity were largely fatigue and knee pain. Her sister, however, wasn't doing well. At age 46, Judi’s sister came down with pneumonia, bringing with it a host of negative side effects.

Then tragedy struck. She was discovered in a coma one day in her home, and passed away shortly thereafter in the hospital.

The sudden death of her sister in 2001 was an eye-opener for Judi. It made her wonder how much she might be cutting her life short by being overweight.

But she didn't take action to correct the situation until a year later. That's when she was in a life-threatening car accident. She survived, but it was by a mere chance. That made Judi finally realize how precious her life is, and important it is to be healthy and safe.

Around that time, a friend told her about the success she was having with L A Weight Loss. She was feeling great after losing 85 pounds, and Judi wanted to feel that way, too.

She joined L A Weight Loss in 2003, and hasn’t looked back. Judi remembers inspirational words from her L A Weight Loss counselor on her first day with the program: "You have done the hardest thing by walking through those doors," said her counselor. "We are here to help you with the rest. You can do it."

It was just what she needed to hear. From that point, adjusting her eating plan was easy. Judi used L A Lite bars to curb her sweet cravings. She also prepared food in advance so that it would fit her regimen. For Judi, it was all about conscious eating and making good choices. Drinking plenty of water was a staple, too.

A great source of motivation for Judi was pampering herself along the journey. With every milestone she treated herself with a facial, pedicure, spa visit, or shopping spree. And the result? She lost 172 pounds!

Today, at 150 pounds, Judi has maintained her weight loss for three years. She can walk and breathe freely. She can also shop stress-free, because she can fit into fashionable clothes.

Instead of living to eat, Judi now eats to live. She participates in life instead of watching it pass by. With her sister and friend as motivation, Judi was able to kick her bad habits and become healthy.

In fact, she recently went shopping with one of her “model thin” sisters and they had a great time. Family and friends have been great motivation for Judi.

Judi knows that if she goes back to how she ate before she will look that way, too. Her habits now are a way of life. Having maintained her weight loss for three years, this way of life is clearly working. What an inspiration Judi is for those at the start of their journey! Congrats, Judi!

Here she is at 322 pounds:



And here she is today, at 150 pounds, three years after reaching her goal. Wow, you still got it, Judi!



FAST FACTS

Name: Judi Matts
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Age: 52
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 322 pounds
Goal weight: 180 pounds
Current weight: 150 pounds
Program start date: 2003

Favorite food: Chocolate.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Recognizing the need to live life to the fullest.

Biggest obstacle: Thinking that food was in control.

Old eating philosophy: Eating as a way to experience emotions.

New eating philosophy: Thinking, "eat to live, not live to eat."

Best thing about losing weight: Getting to shop comfortably!

Best weight loss secret learned: Never forget this: If you weigh 300 pounds, it is because you eat that way. Eat the foods that support your lifestyle and your weight will reflect that.

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.

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!

Joyce Woodrom stays on track to get on the tracks

Rollercoasters can be terrifying enough without the fear of fitting in the seat. For Joyce Woodrome, this fear was realized at a family trip to the amusement park.

Weight was an issue for Joyce her entire life. Her weight had always fluctuated, but after two children, Joyce tipped the scale at a whopping 341 pounds. She felt paralyzed by her weight, and with knee pain, high blood pressure, and insecurities, Joyce knew she couldn't go on living that way. She even considered gastric bypass surgery.

Joyce's sweet tooth kept her weight high. Embarrassed to snack in front of others, Joyce had hidden stashed of cookies, candies, and cakes that she even hid from her family. She tried eating well, but just couldn't stay away from the drive thru.

Joyce had made up her mind to loose weight, but hit rock bottom while at an amusement park with her family. While trying to ride a rollercoaster, the safety bar wouldn't fit over her and Joyce had to leave the line, humiliated.

But her inabilities didn't stop there. At 341 pounds, Joyce couldn't do many of the things that she wanted, such as mountain climbing with her husband or going to the movies.

When Joyce found out she was expecting her first grandchild, she knew losing weight was now or never. She was determined to get her life back. Joyce wanted the energy and ability to be an active part of her grandchild's life, and the lives of her family members.

At her husband's suggestion, Joyce joined her local Concord, N.C., L A Weight Loss in July 2005. He knew L A Weight Loss's one-on-one counseling would be exactly the motivation and support Joyce needed. He was right -- L A Weight Loss was the perfect fit. Joyce was able to get the support she needed from the center, and found weight loss easier than she ever imagined.

With help from her counselors, Joyce cut out her sweet binges and added lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean meats and fish to her diet. Joyce learned all about the importance of portion control, and when she needed a sweet snack, she grabbed an L A Lite bar. Her days of sneaking food were over for good.

After less than two years on the program, Joyce has dropped an incredible 172 pounds and 80 inches around her waist! Currently weighing 168 pounds, Joyce has a new lease on life.

Her energy has skyrocketed. In the beginning, Joyce could barely spend 5 minutes walking on a treadmill. Now, she exercises five times a week with cardio classes, aerobics, running, and cycling.

Joyce is 18 pounds away from her weight loss goal of 150 pounds, but with her new diet and exercise routine, it won't be long at all before she reaches her goal! Even better, Joyce and her family can now enjoy their favorite amusement park whenever they want. She has a season pass, and nothing can keep her off the rollercoasters now!

In fact, there isn't anything that she can't do. Joyce feels like she has control of her life once again. Way to go, Joyce! We're so proud of you!

Here's Joyce in 2005 at 341 pounds:



And here she is today at an incredible, healthy 168 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Joyce Woodrome
Hometown: Salisbury, N.C.
Age: 53
Height: 5’2"

Starting weight: 341 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Program start date: July 2005

Favorite food: Anything sweet.

Biggest temptation: Miniature candy bars.

Biggest motivator: Being a grandparent and wanting to live for her grandchildren.

Biggest obstacle: Exercising when her knees hurt.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on cakes and candies whenever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Making meals with salmon, salad, and organic vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to live life to the fullest.

Best weight loss secret learned: Having a one-on-one personal counselor will help you lose the weight and keep you motivated.

Theresa Painter becomes the picture of health

Many mothers see the birth of a baby as the perfect motivation to lose weight and get healthy for the sake of their children. For Theresa Painter, that motivation came a little bit later, in the form of her first-born grandson.

Theresa was overweight her entire life. She struggled with her weight growing up, and her bad eating habits kept her weight high as an adult. She constantly snacked throughout the day, and meals usually consisted of heavy pastas, greasy pizzas, and anything fried.

When Theresa's husband lost weight after a bad case of food poisoning, Theresa ate with him as he tried to rebuild his figure. Unfortunately for her, that meant a lot of cakes, pies, and fatty foods. It's not surprising that her husband wasn't the only one putting on the pounds.

Being overweight left Theresa physically and emotionally drained. She hated that she had let herself go, and she struggled with daily activities. Her back and knees were constantly aching from the extra weight. Theresa tried dieting, but couldn't shed any weight.

When her first grandchild was born, Theresa was determined to get healthy for good. She knew if she didn't get healthy then, she never would. In July 2007, Theresa joined her local Knoxville, Tenn., L A Weight Loss center.

With help from her one-on-one weight loss counselors, Theresa learned how eating right could transform her life. Her counselors helped her change her diet from heavy to healthy. She cut back on the carbs, thick sauces, and greasy dishes, and replaced them with grilled meats, stir fry, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Theresa learned the importance of portion control, and broke her diet down to three meals and three snacks each day. Whenever she was hungry between meals, Theresa found L A Lite bars hit the spot.

It wasn't long before the weight starting melting away. After exactly one year on the program, Theresa has lost 108 pounds, and currently weighs 171 pounds. She's only 21 pounds away from her weight loss goal of 151 pounds!

Theresa has found that everyday activities are so much easier with a smaller body. Even chores are more enjoyable. Theresa has fun shopping, and loves all the new styles and sizes that are available to her now. And she's able to devote at least 30 minutes each day to new exercises, such as dance videos.

Even better, she feels great about herself, physically and mentally. Theresa's confidence has increased, and she feels like she can do anything. And now, she knows she'll be around for her grandkids. She loves taking them on walks and playing with them at the park.

Way to go, Theresa!

Here's a 279-pound Theresa with her first grandson in 2007:



And here she is today at 171 pounds with her second grandchild. What a difference! Great job, Theresa!



FAST FACTS

Name: Theresa Painter
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Age: 49
Height: 5'0"

Starting weight: 279 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 171 pounds
Program start date: July 2007

Favorite food: Vegetables.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Staying healthy for her grandchildren.

Biggest obstacle: Eating well when her husband doesn't.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever, whenever.

New eating philosophy: Focusing on herself and making wise decisions.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better and happier.

Best weight loss secret learned: It's all about portion control!

Heather Weibel steps into a healthier life

Lives can be measured in different ways: years lived, degrees earned, marathons completed. Heather Weibel measures her life in steps ... literally.

Although Heather grew up in a household of overweight family members, weight wasn't a problem for her. She liked getting outside, talking walks, and enjoying the sunshine. But that changed when she got pregnant.

She gained weight with her first son, and couldn't shed the baby weight. By the time she gave birth to her second son, she was 100 pounds heavier than her pre-motherhood form.

For 10 years, Heather struggled with her weight and health. Walking became difficult, due to her back, knee, hip, and joint problems. She could barely make it up the stairs without losing her breath.

She also developed diabetes, and her doctor told her she would be on insulin for the rest of her life if she didn't drop the pounds.

Meanwhile, Heather's sister had joined L A Weight Loss and was successfully losing weight. Inspired by her success, Heather and her father joined their local Great Falls, Mo., L A Weight Loss center in 2005.

Heather was paired with a one-on-one weight loss counselor who taught her easy ways to make every meal healthy and filling without excess fats and calories. Heather cut out fast and fried food binges, and reduced her salty snack intake. She added fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats such as grilled chicken to her meals.

These simple adjustments were all Heather needed to start melting away the pounds. As her weight decreased, her energy increased. She began exercising to supercharge her weight loss.

Her new routine has changed Heather's life. After dropping 140 pounds, Heather now weighs 150 pounds! Her friends and family are so proud of her, and she feels like strangers are friendlier to her.

Heather has enough energy to exercise one hour a day, six days a week. To make sure she's staying on track, she carries a pedometer with her every day. Heather makes sure she always takes 20,000 steps a day. It's 20,000 steps towards a healthier life.

Heather is able to do things she could never do before, such as play with her kids at the playground. She loves shopping now. Even better, she loves how she looks. Heather never wore makeup before, but now she loves getting dolled up.

Not only does Heather look good, she feels great. She is much more confident, with all of her pain subsided and weight in check.

Here's Heather at 296 pounds:



And here she is today at 150 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Heather Weibel
Hometown: Great Falls, Mo.
Age: 30
Height: 5'3"

Starting weight: 296 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 150 lbs
Program start date: January 2005

Favorite food: Smoothies.

Biggest temptation: Junk food.

Biggest motivator: Praying while losing weight.

Biggest obstacle: Learning how to avoid food binges.

Old eating philosophy: Eating heavy foods, fried foods, fatty snacks, and soda.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy alternatives with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Curing her physical pains.

Best weight loss secret learned: Staying positive can help you lose weight.

Joann Westfall wins big with a big loss

In the midst of March Madness, one word on every fan's mind is "win." But the only thing Joann Westfall can think about is losing -- weight, that is.

Until recently, weight was a serious issue for Joann. She was constantly yo-yoing, and never content with her looks. But she wasn't alone. Joann's entire family was overweight as well.

At 293 pounds, Joann knew she needed to lose weight. None of her clothes fit properly, and even sitting and lying were uncomfortable. Joann's blood pressure was through the roof, her knees and back were aching, and she was constantly catching her breath.

She tried every fad diet on the market, but nothing worked. But in 2006, she noticed a friend from church literally shrinking each week. When Joann discovered her friend was following the L A Weight Loss program, she decided to give it a try.

Joann joined her local Charlotte, N.C., L A Weight Loss center in September 2006, hopeful that this would be the plan for her.

Each week, Joann worked with her one-on-one weight loss counselor, who helped her transform her diet from hefty to healthy. She realized practically nothing she was eating had nutritional benefits.

Joann cut back on candy, baked goods, and salty snacks. And instead of quick-fix grabs, she began planning her meals and eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.

She also reduced her intake of red meat, while increasing her consumption of lean meats, such as chicken and turkey. Joann was always sure to drink the right amount of water each day.

With this recipe for success, it's no wonder Joann's weight started to drop. Once it did, she found she had the energy and the stamina to exercise, which helped her shed weight faster and tone up.

After 18 months on the program, Joann lost 109 pounds. Wow! Today she weighs 184 pounds, and is getting close to her goal of 150 pounds.

Since losing weight, Joann is enjoying so many things that had been tedious before, such as shopping for new clothes. She likes exercising, and is much more social.

At her new weight, Joann is able to make the most of every day. She can't wait to go to the pool this year in a cute new bathing suit.

Best of all, Joann feels like a weight was lifted from her shoulders -- physically and emotionally. Her health problems have been resolved, and she's no longer worried about the effects of obesity on her health. Way to go, Joann! Keep up to good work!

Here's Joann in 2006 at 293 pounds:



And here she is today at a healthy and happy 184 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Joann Westbrook
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Age: 50
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 293 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 184 pounds
Program start date: September 2006

Favorite food: Sushi.

Biggest temptation: Carbs.

Biggest motivator: Keeping a "before" photo of herself on her refrigerator.

Biggest obstacle: Going out with friends and not being able to eat what they're having.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything and everything.

New eating philosophy: Choosing fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

Best thing about losing weight: Watching herself shrink.

Best weight loss secret learned: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Texas couple team up for combined weight loss challenge

For a marriage to work, husbands and wives must work well together. And many couples work so well together, they adopt one another's habits, likes, and dislikes. That's a wonderful relationship -- unless, of course, you're talking about bad eating habits.

That's the problem Elsa and Carlos Cavazos faced. Married for 29 years, Elsa and Carlos did everything together. They started a home, raised their children, and shared everything ... including their unhealthy eating habits.

Elsa had never struggled with her weight before. She was small throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Plus, being constantly on the move with her young children kept her active.

But when Elsa reached her 30s and 40s, her lifestyle slowed down, and so did her metabolism. She was no longer chasing her children around the house, and her job at the U.S. Air Force training center sat her behind a desk all day.

Elsa's affinity for salty and high-calorie foods didn't help. She was the potato chip queen. She rarely cooked healthy meals, and ate fried foods and chips instead.

Her husband Carlos was in the same boat. He never worried about his weight when he was younger, but gradually gained pounds after their wedding. As the years stretched on, his waistline stretched out. Carlos always helped himself to multiple servings of everything Elsa cooked, which was usually Mexican food high in sodium and calories.

Their weights made them feel sluggish. Elsa and Carlos never had any energy to do anything together after work. Their clothes fit them uncomfortably, they were winded walking up their stairs, and they hated lugging around their extra pounds.

One year, Elsa and Carlos had appointments for their routine physicals around the same time. Elsa's cholesterol was dangerously high for someone her size. Carlos also had high cholesterol, and suffered from knee pain. He had a high level of liver enzymes as well, making him susceptible to diabetes later in life. Their doctors gave the same prescription: lose weight.

Elsa and Carlos decided their doctors were right. So in April 2006, they signed up at the San Antonio, Texas, L A Weight Loss center, determined to get healthy together. They worked with their personal weight loss counselors, and set goals for their ideal weights.

Elsa and Carlos learned valuable lessons from their counselors, who taught them the trick to a healthy diet, and the importance of portion control. They added fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats to their meals, and cut out starches.

Now, when Elsa cooked dinner, she included lots of vegetables, poultry, and fish. And the grocery cart was no longer filled with potato chips and other junk, unless Elsa was enjoying them in moderation.

And at the dinner table, Carlos no longer kept coming back for more. He stuck to proper portions, and ate multiple times throughout the day.

Before they knew it, the pounds starting dropping. Since joining L A Weight Loss, Elsa and Carlos have lost 83 pounds! Elsa went from 143 pounds to 117 pounds -- just two pounds away from her goal weight. And Carlos is weighing in at 208 pounds, compared to his original 265 pounds. He's also getting close to his goal of 185 pounds.

Their health problems have subsided, and they have much more energy. Neither Elsa nor Carlos feel sluggish at work anymore, and they still have energy left over when they get home. Plus, they love the compliments they receive from friends and family.

Even better, getting healthy is a family affair for the Cavazos. Thanks to Elsa's new cooking style, their children are enjoying the benefits of a healthy diet, too.

But for Elsa and Carlos, the best thing about losing weight is feeling closer to each other. Working together and losing weight as a team made their relationship stronger than ever. They loved the feeling of accomplishment, and used each other as motivation.

Elsa and Carlos still do everything together, but they've replaced their habit of sharing bad eating tendencies to sharing romantic evening walks. Just another benefit from their L A Weight Loss experience. Way to go, Elsa and Carlos! We're proud of you!

Here's Elsa at 143 pounds and Carlos at 265 pounds, before joining L A Weight Loss:



And here they are now at 117 pounds and 208 pounds. Looking good, kids!




FAST FACTS

Name: Elsa Cavazos
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Age: 48
Height: 5'1"

Starting weight: 143 pounds
Goal weight: 115 pounds
Current weight: 117 pounds
Program start date: April 2006

Favorite food: Fried chicken.

Biggest temptation: Potato chips.

Biggest motivator: Losing weight with Carlos, and seeing the pounds come off.

Biggest obstacle: Staying within the plan and not cheating, and eating the right foods.

Old eating philosophy: Eating many fried food and carbs.

New eating philosophy: Eating grilled instead of fried, and loading up on vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Fitting into a size 4.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat potato chips and lose weight!



Name: Carlos Cavazos
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Age: 49
Height: 5'8"

Starting weight: 265 pounds
Goal weight: 185 pounds
Current weight: 208 pounds
Program start date: April 2006

Favorite food: Everything on the dinner table.

Biggest temptation: More servings.

Biggest motivator: Watching Elsa lose weight, and hit her goal weight.

Biggest obstacle: Being tempted to have second servings.

Old eating philosophy: Eating anything in sight.

New eating philosophy: Eating grilled chicken and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Watching his waistline shrink.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat the foods you love while you lose weight.

Junk-food junkie gets clean

Garbage in, garbage out.

These popular words might have started in the computer industry, but they hold true for eating, too. Consume unhealthy foods, develop unhealthy bodies.

Just ask Melissa Benavides. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, she followed a poor diet of high-calorie Mexican dishes, chips, cakes, and cookies. And she had a pudgy figure as a result.

After getting married, Melissa gained 60 pounds with each of her two pregnancies. She had to wear plus-sized clothes, and cried because she couldn't fit into nice outfits. Her confidence was low, and she always looked at thin women, wishing she was them.

Then her dad was diagnosed with colon cancer. The news struck Melissa hard. Her dad was in great shape. How could this happen to him?

It also made her take a good look at her own body's condition. At 240 pounds, Melissa was no poster child for health. She had asthma, and was always out of breath. Worse, her knees ached to support the extra weight, and she suffered from constant headaches.

Melissa thought, if her otherwise healthy dad could get cancer, what could happen to her? And what would happen to her kids? The thought launched Melissa into action. She joined her local Bandera, Texas, L A Weight Loss center to change her life.

There, she found a new weight loss family. Melissa worked one-on-one with her counselor Michelle, who taught her a healthy eating routine and guided her through the weight loss journey.

Melissa cut back on sweets, while occasionally enjoying Jell-O. She also learned how to nix chips and caloric Mexican food -- and not miss it.

That's because she discovered healthy foods that tasted even better, such as fruits and vegetables, grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, and salad. And she washed it all down with plenty of water.

L A Weight Loss was easier than other diets Melissa had tried because she didn't have to give up every food she loved. She just ate less of them. And the counselors never scolded her if she strayed. Instead, they helped her quickly get back on track.

Ten months later, Melissa is 100 pounds lighter, weighing in at 140! All of her health problems are improved, as she takes every opportunity to get out, socialize, and be active.

For instance, Melissa plays with her kids, running around and kicking the soccer ball. She and her family also like to go fishing, and she can enjoy it without feeling like she'll break the boat.

Friends and family are amazed at her transformation, and her husband is very proud of her. Melissa still cries when she tries on clothes, but now they're tears of joy ... because she's wearing a size 6!

Congratulations, Melissa! Keep it up!

This is junk-food junkie Melissa before at 240 pounds:



And here she is today, much healthier at 158! Way to go, Melissa!



FAST FACTS

Name: Melissa Benavides
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Age: 37
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 240 pounds
Goal weight: 120 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Program start date: January 2007

Favorite food: Salmon.

Biggest temptation: Tortillas and tacos.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from her dad and husband.

Biggest obstacle: Shedding the last few pounds.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging in junk food.

New eating philosophy: Being selective about what she eats.

Best thing about losing weight: Having more energy and a better outlook on life.

Best weight loss secret learned: Learn when to eat to keep your metabolism going.

Dessert diva sweetens her life without the calories

Humans have 32 teeth -- but that doesn't include the sweet tooth! It's inherent in most of us, and one of the biggest causes of weight gain. How can you overcome the natural inclination to reach for the pies, puddings, and pastries? Barb Zaske of Springfield, Mo., found an answer!

She was certainly born with a sweet tooth, as evidenced by her constant consumption of desserts and 65-pound weight gain while pregnant with her daughter. After giving birth, she quickly lost 35 pounds, but the rest wouldn't budge.

At 168 pounds, Barb continued indulging in cookies and cakes, not to mention fried foods and carbs. The weight gain didn't worry her much, until she noticed how sluggish she was. She had little energy to play with her toddler, and no ambition to advance her career as a registered nurse.

Barb also suffered from hip and knee pain. She was depressed and thought everything was wrong with her. She hated the way clothes looked on her, but she didn't know how to fix it.

Then at the end of 2004, she heard about L A Weight Loss's portion control and personalized counseling. Barb thought it sounded like the right plan for her, and signed up as her New Year's resolution.

It proved to be the best way to ring in 2005. L A Weight Loss's counselors and nutrition experts took Barb under their wings and taught her how to eat correct portions of healthy foods. She ate a lot of fish -- shrimp being her favorite!

Barb loved to cook recipes from the L A Lite cookbook, and became aware of which ingredients go into healthy cooking. She made chicken and vegetables a staple, while minimizing fried foods and carbs.

And the sweet cravings? L A Lite bars took care of that. After discovering how good healthy foods taste, she hardly missed the desserts anyway.

L A Weight Loss provided the accountability she needed to stay focused, and the inspiration to have fun along the way. Barb reached just one plateau during her weight loss. But the counselors slightly upped her calorie allotment for the day, and she quickly got back on the losing streak.

In 18 weeks, Barb dropped 29 pounds, and she's kept it off since! At 139 pounds, she is a much happier person now, and is working toward a career in medical sales.

She feels comfortable wearing a bikini and form-fitting clothes. She has a ton of energy to play with her daughter, and no aches or pains. But that's not all. Her success inspired her sister-in-law and niece to get fit and join L A Weight Loss, too.

Barb thanks L A Weight Loss for the ability to live a happier and healthier life! Congrats, Barb!

This is Barb at her heaviest, 168 pounds:



And here she is today, showing off her bikini body at 139 pounds! Looking fab, Barb! Way to go!



FAST FACTS

Name: Barb Zaske
Hometown: Springfield, Mo.
Age: 37
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 168 pounds
Goal weight: 140 pounds
Current weight: 139 pounds
Program start date: January 2005

Favorite food: Soft tacos.

Biggest temptation: Desserts.

Biggest motivator: Feeling better as the weight came off.

Biggest obstacle: Eating right at restaurants.

Old eating philosophy: Eating what she wanted without worrying.

New eating philosophy: Being more aware of what and how she's eating.

Best thing about losing weight: Seeing the results, and energizing her life.

Best weight loss secret learned: Portion control.

Tammy Lara proves it's never too late to be a comeback kid

If you have kids, you probably struggle to get them to eat right. Most children don't want their vegetables, fruits, or anything else that's healthy. But developing poor eating habits as a kid can catch up to you in adulthood, as Tammy Lara of Maple, Ontario, found out.

Tammy was always on the heavier side. She had a family history of weight problems, as her mother and relatives on her side were obese. Plus, she didn't learn good nutrition as a child. Instead, Tammy was free to eat whatever tasted good, which meant junk food and candy.

Her eating habits didn't improve with age. Tammy often ate a bag of chips in one sitting, and munched on fast and fried foods throughout the day. She washed it all down with high-calorie soda, pushing her weight to 301 pounds.

Then Tammy became hypothyroid, which made her feel sluggish. It also slowed her metabolism, which helped pack on even more pounds. She experienced chronic back and knee pain, too, which limited her mobility -- and her ability to play with her two kids, Tyler, age 5, and Samantha, age 11.

She could only watch them scream with excitement when they rode amusement park rides, because she couldn't fit into the seats with them. And time spent at the zoo was cut short because Tammy didn't have the energy to walk long distances or withstand warm temperatures.

Meanwhile, her mother developed diabetes and heart problems from her excess weight (being a heavy smoker didn't help either). The complications wore her health down, and she passed away just before her 61st birthday.

Her mother's death was a wake-up call for Tammy. She realized she needed to do something about her weight, or risk cutting her life short like her mother. Tammy wanted to be there for her kids, and spend more quality time with them. So she decided to join L A Weight Loss.

Tammy finally learned what she should have been taught long ago. She sat down with the nutrition experts and one-on-one weight loss counselors to evaluate her food choices. They helped her re-focus her eating regimen to include proper portions of fresh, healthy foods, and exclude fried and fast foods.

Tammy also started drinking more water, and cut out the soda. She also learned which low-calorie, low-fat foods to order at restaurants, as well as how to cook and barbecue healthy meals at home.

The weight started coming off. Tammy felt her mobility and energy coming back. She lost 141 pounds on the L A Weight Loss plan, and is now just 30 pounds away from her 130-pound goal weight!

Tammy continues to eat according to the L A Weight Loss plan. In fact, she's spreading the good habits to her kids. Tammy's daughter is slightly overweight, but thanks to lessons in good nutrition and portion sizes from her mom, she's lost 17 pounds!

But that's not all Tammy is doing with her kids. With renewed energy and mobility, she takes her kids to the park, goes on the swings, and rides down the slide with them. She can also fit through amusement park turnstiles and go on rides with ease.

Plus, Tammy walks on the treadmill every other day. And her husband George tells her she looks great, which is music to her ears!

Way to go, Tammy! Keep up the great work!

This is the 301-pound Tammy before:



And here she is today, weighing 160 pounds! Great job, Tammy!



FAST FACTS

Name: Tammy Lara
Hometown: Maple, Ontario, Canada
Age: 35
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 301 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: October 18, 2005

Favorite food: Nachos and cheese.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate and animal crackers.

Biggest motivator: Wanting to play with her kids and be there for them in the future.

Biggest obstacle: Keeping up with her kids.

Old eating philosophy: Drinking soda and eating chips all the time.

New eating philosophy: Drinking water, and eating fresh vegetables and grilled chicken.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling healthier, and being able to spend more quality time with her kids.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you know how to order right, you can still eat your favorite foods at restaurants while losing weight.