Nevada mom gains a baby, drops the weight

Babies bring so much into new mothers' lives -- joy, love, and sometimes, extra weight. And as Grace Iubelt knows, that weight is often hard to lose.

Grace had never been happy with her weight, but it wasn't until after she gave birth that it truly became a problem. No matter what she did, Grace couldn't shake the baby weight, even though she considered her diet healthy.

Then Grace crossed paths with an old friend who didn't recognize her. Why? Because she now weighed a whopping 186 pounds. The encounter ignited Grace's motivation to drop the weight.

So in November 2006, Grace joined her local Sparks, Nev., L A Weight Loss center. Her personal weight loss counselor taught her the trick to successful weight loss: It isn't just what you eat, it's how much you eat.

Grace spread out her meals of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and other proteins into little meals throughout the day to keep her metabolism working. And to keep her sweet tooth satisfied, Grace indulged in a daily dose of chocolate L A Lite bars.

Grace couldn't believe how well it worked. The pounds just seemed to melt away. She now weighs 151 pounds, and is working towards her weight loss goal of 127 pounds!!

Since losing the weight, Grace has gained a tremendous amount of energy. She does activities she used to be too tired for, such as going to the park or zoo with her daughter. She even went snowboarding for the first time in seven years, and is planning a rafting trip.

For Grace, this extra energy to keep up with her daughter is the best thing about losing weight. And the compliments from people aren't too bad, either. She feels like she can do anything. Congratulations, Grace! Keep up the good work!

Here's Grace at 186 pounds:



And here she is today, looking fantastic at 151 pounds. That's one hot mama!



FAST FACTS

Name: Grace Iubelt
Hometown: Sparks, Nev.
Age: 24
Height: 5'5"

Starting weight: 186 pounds
Goal weight: 127 pounds
Current weight: 151 pounds
Program start date: November 2006

Favorite food: Pasta.

Biggest temptation: Fatty snacks.

Biggest motivator: Being able to buy smaller clothes, and feeling better.

Biggest obstacle: Going through so many life changes.

Old eating philosophy: Eating too much food.

New eating philosophy: Eating the right amounts of everything.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling good, and knowing that she looks good, too.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat every couple of hours to keep your metabolism going.

Staci Sipaila 'outs' the pounds for the great outdoors

Residents of Reno, Nev., know it's the city for lovers of the great outdoors. It offers everything from skiing, to hiking, to camping, and more. But what do you do when your weight saps your energy and anchors you to your sofa?

Staci Sipaila found the answer. She didn't have a problem with her weight until adulthood. After her first pregnancy, Stacy gained 20 pounds and couldn't shake it. At 161 pounds, she had trouble keeping up with her baby, let alone caring for herself.

Staci's unhealthy diet was stocked with junk food, and her meals rarely included fruits and vegetables. She tried to limit her sweets, but always cheated.

Her extra pounds made her feel unhealthy, and she couldn't get outside to enjoy all that her active community offered. And spending free time with thinner friends didn't help, either. Staci hated that she couldn't share clothes with her friends.

Fed up, Staci knew she needed to change her lifestyle. She tried a number of diets, but nothing held her accountable for what she ate, and her bad eating habits lived on. Then she found L A Weight Loss.

Staci joined the Reno, Nev., L A Weight Loss center, determined to drop those pesky pounds. Her personal weight loss counselors helped her adjust her diet to include more fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water. And they were always ready to help her through weight loss challenges or plateaus.

Even better, Staci's husband James joined L A Weight Loss shortly after her so they could help each other get fit. They cooked meals centered around their new focus of nutrition balance and portion control.

Today Staci is 19 pounds lighter, weighing 142! She's well on her way to her goal of 135 pounds. Meanwhile, her husband lost 10 pounds -- just what he wanted.

Staci can now take advantage of Reno's great outdoors with her husband. They enjoy hiking, fishing, skiing, and riding motorcycles -- activities once too strenuous for Staci.

She also has a new wardrobe she can share with her friends. She doesn't hesitate to throw on her bathing suit, and she sports tighter, cuter clothes. Everything has added up to a happier, healthier Staci.

Way to go, Staci! You look great!

Here's Staci post-baby at 161 pounds:



And here she is now, turning heads at 142 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Staci Sipaila
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Age: 25
Height: 5'6"

Starting weight: 161 pounds
Goal weight: 135 pounds
Current weight: 142 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Pineapple.

Biggest temptation: Cookie dough.

Biggest motivator: Keeping up with her husband and her kids.

Biggest obstacle: Staying active and caring for her new baby.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on anything sweet, without thinking of the consequences.

New eating philosophy: Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Being more active.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink water!

Sherry Gates takes beauty into her own hands

For many women, the beauty salon is a place to relax. They can sit and chat, get their hair and nails done, and walk out feeling fantastic with a great new style. So you know you have a problem when the beauty salon makes you feel anything but pretty.

That's how Sherry Gates felt when she sat down for her appointment, and had a hard time fitting in the chair.

Sherry had struggled with weight issues her entire life. She ate for comfort, and frequently indulged in fast food. Then, when Sherry gave up smoking, her weight ballooned.

Her embarrassment at the beauty salon, however, was the defining moment. After that, she called the Sparks, Nev., L A Weight Loss center, and scheduled an appointment for the center's grand opening in May 2006.

Sherry's personal L A Weight Loss counselors transformed her diet, exchanging fast food binges for fruits, vegetables, protein, and lots of water. And her dozen cans of calorie-packed soda per day were cut down to two cans of diet soda.

When she began her weight loss process, Sherry continued wearing her old clothes until her company's December Christmas party. Then, she showed up wearing smaller, tighter clothes.

It was the first time people noticed her 115-pound weight loss -- and they were amazed! Sherry literally turned heads all night.

Now she wears cuter clothes all the time, and enjoys doing things she previously couldn't, like riding amusement park roller coasters.

The best part: Sherry's self-confidence has soared. She's happier, has more energy, and can do more than ever before! And she looks great, too! Bravo, Sherry!

Here's Sherry at 257 pounds:



And here she is 115 pounds later. Way to go, Sherry!



FAST FACTS

Name: Sherry Gates
Hometown: Sun Valley, Nev.
Age: 44
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 257 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: May 8, 2006

Favorite food: BBQ marinated chicken.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate.

Biggest motivator: Maintaining her new look.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting the urge to go out for Chinese food.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Ordering healthy entrees like salads when she goes out to eat.

Best thing about losing weight: Being happier and more social.

Best weight loss secret learned: A well-balanced meal is the easiest way to eat healthier.

Barry Ojers gets a new body -- and a new car!

The turning point for Barry Ojers came when he was in the waiting room of a gastric bypass clinic. He was already worried about the surgery's risks. Then he looked around and realized that, at 356 pounds, he was the smallest one in the room -- and the only one not dependent on oxygen or other breathing equipment.

When he talked to his doctor about canceling the surgery, he got another reality check: His doctor said it didn't matter either way. The risks of dying from the surgery were the same as those stemming from his continued obesity.

Barry decided to take his chances, and canceled the surgery. Then he found out that his brother-in-law, age 39, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Barry felt helpless, and kept wishing there was a way they could switch bodies. That's when it hit him. His brother-in-law had no way to fix his disease, but Barry had a healthy body that he was slowly destroying.

Barry turned to L A Weight Loss. After he lost seven pounds in the first week, he decided to put all of his effort into sticking with the plan established by his personal counselor. He cut out sweets and desserts, and started walking 45 minutes a day, which eventually turned into running.

Now, seven months later, Barry's dropped 108 pounds! He's active with his wife and kids (he ran a 5k at his kids' school), and isn't embarrassed to take off his shirt at the beach. But the biggest change is his new ride: Barry rewarded himself with a brand new sports car to complete his transformation!

Here's Barry before, sputtering out at 356 pounds:



Here he is after, with a high-performance car to match his energetic 248-pound body. Now he can take off on the road -- and on his waistline!



FAST FACTS

Name: Barry Ojers
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Age: 44
Height: 6'1"

Starting weight: 356 pounds
Current weight: 248 pounds
Program start date: July 2006

Biggest temptation: Sweets and desserts.

Biggest motivator: Avoiding gastric bypass surgery.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past people's perceptions. When Barry started running, younger guys on the street would yell, "Give it up, fatso!" He eventually bought an iPod to use when running, so he could drown out teasing or nasty remarks.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever he wanted, without much thought.

New eating philosophy: Proper portion sizes and the right balance of proteins, carbs, fiber, fruits, and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: There's less of an effort to do everyday things, like putting on his socks and tying his shoes.

Best weight loss secret learned: The L A Weight Loss plan is simple. Stick with it and exercise, and the weight will come off.