Update: Mandy Muniz still going strong with her weight loss success

When we last checked in with Mandy Muniz, she had shed a remarkable 157 pounds. Mandy came to L A Weight Loss in April 2005, and said she wanted to lose 100 pounds. Well, three years and 157 pounds later, Mandy weighs a healthy 126 pounds, and couldn't be happier.

Her weight loss success landed her in People Magazine's yearly "Half Their Size" issue and on EXTRA. And we're happy to report her healthy diet hasn't faded with the publicity. Mandy's still eating great and looking even better.

Congratulations, Mandy. Keep up the great work!

My L A Weight Loss Diary turns 1!

We couldn't let November slip by without celebrating a special birthday -- ours! This month marks the one year anniversary for our blog.

That's right, it's been one year of chronicling the weight loss journeys of people across the U.S. and Canada. One year of sharing their struggles and successes. And one year of inspiring more people to lose weight and get healthy.

We've come a long way since Nov. 2006, when we profiled Jim Barker, our first success story. Since then, we've showcased 210 women and men who also achieved their healthy goals with L A Weight Loss.

Among them are our People Magazine stars, Janene Campbell and Mandy Muniz, who were featured in the publication's January "Half Their Size" issue. Janene went from 371 to 164 pounds, and Mandy from 293 to 126 pounds.

And who could forget our farmer from Wisconsin, Greg Thompson, who lost 235 pounds, the most of anyone featured on the blog! Thanks to his personal weight loss counselor and portion control education, he's well on his way to his 240-pound goal weight -- a far cry from his original 508.

You've gotten up close and personal to these and other men and women through podcast interviews. We've also shared recipes, cooking tips, and expert nutritional advice to help keep your plates low on fat and calories and high on nutrition and taste.

Speaking of which, we introduced Controltrim on the blog last month, the new L A Weight Loss product that helps you feel full and eat less.

And we launched the first-ever Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge last week, where 10 Atlanta women are striving to meet their weight loss goals in six months, and take home the grand prize of $1,000 shopping spree and program reimbursement.

But this birthday wouldn't be complete without giving a big THANKS to you, our loyal readers! You cheer on these women and men, and keep them inspired and motivated to reach their weight loss goals. So please, keep it coming!

Plus, feel free to tell us your favorite story from the hundreds we've shared. What made you laugh? Cry? Or motivate you to start your own weight loss journey? And if you've already reached your goal weight, check in and let us know how you're doing! We love to hear from all our readers!

Media, you're welcome to join the conversation too! As always, if you're interested in interviewing anyone we've featured on the blog or learning more about L A Weight Loss, just contact Jackie Zima at Jackie@GregoryFCA.com, 610-642-8253, or 215-534-2973 (mobile).

In the meantime, we'll be busy talking to more people who've found success with L A Weight Loss. 'Til next time!

P.S. We'll be taking our holiday break the remainder of the week, and will return Monday the 26th. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

EXTRA says 'Bravo!' to Mandy Muniz

Fresh from her appearance in People magazine's "Half Their Size" issue, Mandy Muniz got to share her journey from 293 to 126 pounds with the folks from EXTRA.



Being in the spotlight is nothing new for Mandy. As a high school drama teacher, she has always encouraged her students to get up on stage and give it their all.

Then Mandy herself started to lead a more sedentary lifestyle after hours. Most days she came home with a bag of fast food, and headed directly for the couch.

At school, she struggled to climb the stairs of the three-story building. She would stop between floors and hide in the corner to catch her breath. Some of the other faculty members shared their concerns about her health, and even gave her business cards of gastric bypass surgeons.

But it only pushed Mandy further into denial, making her efforts to encourage students' activity hypocritical. Her wake-up call came when one of her students asked her to be in his film. When Mandy saw what she *really* looked like on screen at 293 pounds, she could deny it no longer.

But she didn't know where to go from there. She tried every fad diet on the market, with little to no success. Then she saw an ad for L A Weight Loss, and was excited by the idea of eating real foods that weren't pre-packaged.

Yet Mandy was still skeptical that it would work. When she called the Bandera center in San Antonio and they asked how much she wanted to lose, she laughingly said 100 pounds. To her surprise, they said, "OK. Come in and let's get started."

In the personal essay Mandy wrote to me, she says those 100 pounds came off "with ease." So she re-adjusted her goal weight to lose even more. In 18 months, she dropped 157 pounds, 65 inches, and 22 sizes!

Now Mandy has the confidence to proudly take center stage again, and show off her new size 2 figure to the world. Bravo, Mandy!

Here's Mandy at an unhealthy 293 pounds:




And here's the actress at 130 pounds -- worthy of a standing ovation!



FAST FACTS

Name: Mandy Muniz
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Age: 31
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 293 pounds
Goal weight: 193 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Program start date: April 2005

Biggest motivator: Being able to get up and move with her students.

Biggest obstacle: Making that first phone call to L A Weight Loss.

Old eating philosophy: Days filled with tons of fast food, vending machine snacks, sodas, and foods slathered in butter.

New eating philosophy: Appreciates the value of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the confidence to get up in front of people, and shopping for clothes off the rack, knowing they'll fit.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you believe it, you can do it!

L A Weight Loss members featured in People magazine cover story

I have some exciting news to share: Two L A Weight Loss clients were chosen by People magazine's editors to appear in People magazine's "Half Their Size" issue, which is now in stores.

Janene Campbell, who went from 371 to 164 pounds, is featured on the magazine's cover and home page (that's Janene on the left). Mandy Muniz, who went from 293 to 126 pounds, is covered in a three-page spread! Way to go, ladies!!!



I'll be sharing my experience with Janene, Mandy, and People magazine's editors in a future entry. In the meantime, you can see the stories of these two amazing women, as they appear in the magazine.

Better still, pick up a copy today! It's a special double issue, and it's filled with stories that will inspire and motivate you -- the best of which are Janene's and Mandy's . OK, I'm biased! :-)