Race car driver speeds to weight loss finish

Race car drivers are known for three things: speed, determination, and focus. For driver Trent Seidel, those qualities also come in handy when losing weight.

Weight wasn't always a problem for Trent. As a teenager, he was regularly active. But once he got older, his lifestyle slowed, and he found himself working out less.

Each year, the numbers on the scale crept higher. Trent's bad eating habits didn't help. He rarely ate breakfast, and was guilty of late night snacking. Fruit meant a glass of orange juice, while the only vegetable he ate came in the form of carrot cake.

Before long, Trent hit 268 pounds. He suffered from sleep apnea, and rarely got a good night's sleep. He also underwent two surgeries for varicose veins, where his extra weight made his leg swollen and uncomfortable.

Despite his weight, Trent was an avid race car driver. His determination in the driver's seat had helped him succeed in business and life before. Now, Trent decided to focus this energy on dropping the pounds.

In November 2006, Trent joined his local Saskatoon L A Weight Loss center. He paired up with a personal weight loss counselor, Lindee, and learned how to turn his diet from heavy to healthy.

He replaced fried and fatty foods with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water. Lindee taught him the importance of portion control, and held him accountable for his diet decisions. Trent also enjoyed L A Lite bars and supplements.

After one year on the program, Trent lost 59 pounds. He's now at 210 pounds -- only 10 pounds away from his weight loss goal!

For Trent, the best part about being thinner is feeling as good as he looks. He can participate in activities he hasn't done since his teenage years, such as running, doing sit-ups, and lifting weights. No wonder he feels 16 again!

Plus, his confidence has skyrocketed, and he appreciates his health and happiness all the more. Trent's story proves that with the right amount of determination, anything is possible. And with his weight goal so close, the checkered flag is in sight. Race to the finish line, Trent!

Here's Trent at 269 pounds:



And here he is today, looking great at 210 pounds. Great work, Trent! Keep it up!



But wait, check out his ride. This is what I call a good-lookin' car!



FAST FACTS

Name: Trent Seidel
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Age: 42
Height: 5'11"

Starting weight: 269 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 210 pounds
Program start date: November 2006

Favorite food: Steak.

Biggest temptation: Sweets.

Biggest motivator: Receiving constant support from his wife.

Biggest obstacle: Shaking all of his bad eating habits.

Old eating philosophy: Eating whatever tastes good.

New eating philosophy: Eating wisely and reading labels.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to do much more.

Best weight loss secret learned: Use and maintain your metabolism.

Tenn. man gains (portion) control of his life

There are many things that can send someone's life spiraling out of control. Drugs, alcohol, a tragic event, or even food, to name a few.

Often, people don't realize they're losing control until it's gone. That's how Matt Beal felt about his weight gain.

Matt gradually packed on pounds after college. The combination of eating out often, dining on fatty foods, and eating at irregular times of the day fueled his weight gain.

When Matt ate out, he ordered humongous portions and ate until he physically felt like he couldn't eat another bite. Then he washed it all down with high-calorie soda or sweet tea.

Matt soon weighed 320 pounds. He worked in retail, which kept him on his feet all day. But carrying around so much weight made his feet ache. Matt also suffered from high blood pressure, and struggled with sleep apnea and snoring.

Matt's weight affected him emotionally as well. He hated having to constantly worry about fitting into places. When he flew, he had to ask for seat belt extensions. And squeezing into roller coasters and other rides was always a struggle.

After returning from a trip to Mexico, Matt saw a picture of himself and was shocked at how heavy he looked. It seemed like Matt's weight had spun out of control without him even noticing. He knew he had to do something to regain control of his body and his life.

Matt tried dieting a number of times, but he couldn't shed the weight. He thought about gastric bypass surgery, but then a better idea struck. He decided to take the less invasive path and join L A Weight Loss in July 2006.

L A Weight Loss paired Matt with one-on-one weight loss counselors who helped him adjust his diet. He added fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish to his meal plan. He replaced his sodas and sweet teas with water. Most important, Matt learned portion control.

Matt loves that he can still go to his favorite restaurants, but knows how to make better meal choices. Instead of ordering the 14 oz. steak and baked potato, Matt will order the 7 oz. steak and a salad. Now, he eats until he's full, not until he's absolutely stuffed.

Throughout his weight loss journey, Matt was motivated by constant encouragement from his friends and family. Little by little, Matt whittled the weight away. After one year on the L A Weight Loss program, he lost 110 pounds!

The same day Matt reached his goal weight of 210, he was promoted at work! That's what I call a fabulous day! Matt's success with L A Weight Loss inspired him to keep going and set a new goal weight of 188 pounds. He's on track to meet it, now weighing 195 pounds. That means his total weight loss is 125 pounds so far!

Matt's entire life has changed since he lost the weight. He can't believe how much better he feels, emotionally and physically. Matt says he never knew how tired he was until he started feeling more energetic, and he never knew how depressed he was until he became happier.

And the best part about losing weight is the reactions from people who haven't seen him in a while. It's fun and motivating to bump into old coworkers and friends, and watch their jaws drop when they realize it's Matt. Our jaws dropped too!

With a healthy body, a healthy mind, and a great new position at work, Matt has regained full control of his life. And he looks great!

Here's Matt before at 320 pounds:



And here he is now at 195 pounds -- almost half his size! Wow! Great job, Matt!



FAST FACTS

Name: Matt Beal
Hometown: Cookeville, Tenn.
Age: 34
Height: 5'10"

Starting weight: 320 pounds
Goal weight: 188 pounds
Current weight: 195 pounds
Program start date: July 19, 2006

Favorite food: Apple pie.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Stepping on the scales, looking in the mirror, and seeing the changes.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting the temptation to eat bad food.

Old eating philosophy: Eating what tastes good, and eating until he was stuffed.

New eating philosophy: Having the right portions of the right foods at the right times of day.

Best thing about losing weight: Looking great and feeling even better.

Best weight loss secret learned: It's not about secrets, gimmicks, and tricks. It's about common sense.

Former U.S. officer drops more than 20

The military is a place of discipline, fitness, and strength. Soldiers are expected to "drop and give me 20" at any time. That "20" usually doesn't refer to weight, but in Tyrone Smith's case, it did.

Tyrone didn't develop weight problems until he was an adult. He ate out of habit and boredom, many times when he wasn't even hungry. Tyrone gradually packed on the pounds, and before he knew it, he was weighing in at 303.

Unable to shed the weight, Tyrone was forced to choose between being flagged for weight problems and face medical discharge, or resign with honorable discharge after 23 years as a customs officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He chose the latter. But having to leave the service wasn't Tyrone's only problem. His weight caused him to develop sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. And he had to lug a 15-pound machine everywhere he went to help him breathe.

Worse, Tyrone was always tired, and didn't have the desire to get out and do anything. His doctors told him he needed to lose weight, or his health would continue to decline.

Tyrone tried losing weight with a number of diet plans, yet always gained it back. Fed up with being overweight, Tyrone joined his local Faye Market, Texas, L A Weight Loss center.

Skeptical about finding a weight loss plan that would work for him, Tyrone didn't tell anyone about L A Weight Loss. Besides, if he did lose weight, he wanted it to be a surprise.

He worked closely with his one-on-one weight loss counselors, who taught him about accountability. They supported Tyrone through his plateaus with constant face-to-face interaction.

Tyrone added lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to his diet, and cut out most of the greasy, fried foods. He learned to bake his foods, instead of frying. Tyrone also learned the importance of portion control. And he loved his L A Lite bars and smoothies.

Since joining L A Weight Loss, Tyrone has dropped 80 pounds! Weighing in at 223 pounds, he's only 23 pounds away from his weight loss goal. Tyrone can't wait to reach his goal, when he plans to treat himself with a whole new "dream wardrobe!"

Tyrone has much more energy now, and exercises about three hours each week. He's looking forward to working his way back into sports. Better yet, he can fly without having to ask for a seat belt extension. And when he looks in the mirror, he sees a completely different person.

Above all else, Tyrone is a happier, healthier person. He's proven that with determination, you really can "Be All That You Can Be." Way to go, Tyrone!

Here's Tyrone weighing in at a hefty 303 pounds:



And here he is now, looking fit enough to be able to drop and give us 20!



FAST FACTS

Name: Tyrone Smith
Hometown: McAllen, Texas
Age: 55
Height: 5'10"

Starting weight: 303 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 223 pounds
Program start date: September 2006

Favorite food: Baked turkey.

Biggest temptation: Being tempted to take larger portions than he should, and wanting to fry his food when he knows he should bake it.

Biggest motivator: Knowing he doesn't want to be heavy again.

Biggest obstacle: Fearing he can't keep up the weight loss.

Old eating philosophy: Eating cheap, greasy foods, and fattening desserts.

New eating philosophy: Taking his time to go to the store and pick up what he is supposed to eat.

Best thing about losing weight: Having a better attitude, and feeling happier.

Best weight loss secret learned: Adjust your eating habits as you lose the weight so you can keep dropping the pounds.

Rhonda Allen finds alternative to gastric bypass surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is an increasingly popular method for managing obesity, especially when diet and exercise aren't working. But the costs are well out of reach for many candidates, such as Rhonda Allen of Mesa, Ariz.

Rhonda comes from a family that likes to eat. All of her seven siblings have weight issues, as they gravitated toward high-fat and high-calorie foods throughout their lives.

Chips, soda, ice cream, and Mexican and Chinese food filled Rhonda's plates. She also ate big portions, and indulged even more when she was stressed out. Before long, she topped out at 332 pounds.

Rhonda was hypothyroid, too, and had sleep apnea, heart arrhythmia, and knee problems. She also had a family history of heart problems, and feared she'd pass away and lose her family. Plus, she was embarrassed to be seen in public, and didn't want her kids to be teased because of their obese mother.

Then she saw a photo of herself around Easter 2004, and knew she had a problem. Rhonda thought she looked awful. She researched gastric bypass surgery, but it was too expensive for her, and her insurance company wouldn't cover the costs.

Rhonda didn't know what else to do, until her husband encouraged her to try L A Weight Loss. So one day after dropping her kids off at school, she drove to her local L A Weight Loss center. She decided to join with her sister, who was also overweight.

Working with the L A Weight Loss counselors and nutrition experts, Rhonda cut out junk food and soda. Instead, she ate three healthy meals a day with small snacks in between. The weight loss counselors also taught her how to suppress her cravings for unhealthy foods, so she was no longer tempted by fast food.

Rhonda is now down to 250 pounds, and well on her way to her goal of 160! She can walk and breathe easily, and her medical conditions have improved. She now wears more flattering clothes, and has energy to exercise.

She also created a scrapbook of photos from when she was at her heaviest, and photos of herself now. She says her clothes are very different, and she feels motivated to keep going.

In fact, Rhonda's success inspired several other people to join L A Weight Loss, including her three sisters, three sister-in-laws, four friends, and brother-in-law! Now that's an L A Weight Loss family!

Feeling better about herself has made a huge difference in Rhonda's life -- and she got there without gastric bypass surgery. Way to go, Rhonda! Keep up the great work! We'll check in on Rhonda's progress soon ...

Here's Rhonda before, ballooning at 332 pounds:



And here she is now, dropping the pounds at 250. Great job, Rhonda!



FAST FACTS

Name: Rhonda Allen
Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
Age: 40
Height: 5'2"

Starting weight: 332 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 250 pounds
Program start date: February 2005

Favorite food: Mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Feeling better about herself as she lost the weight, and having her sister join L A Weight Loss with her.

Biggest obstacle: Being stressed from taking care of her kids, and putting them before herself.

Old eating philosophy: Grabbing whatever was quick and easy.

New eating philosophy: Having more vegetables, and making healthy choices.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling happier, having higher self-confidence, and being able to have a baby.

Best weight loss secret learned: Eat smaller portion sizes!

Meaning of motherhood a weighty issue for Monica King

The most popular Mother's Day gifts last year were flowers, cards, and food, according to the National Retail Federation. But these tangible gifts can't really capture the true meaning of motherhood.

Instead, it takes something larger to really show what being a mom is all about. For Monica King of Copperas Cover, Texas, the meaning of motherhood reached 240 pounds.

Monica weighed 185 pounds when she got married in 2001. She half-heartedly followed fad diets, but her cravings for potato chips, pizza, and ice cream always won out.

Then Monica became pregnant with her baby girl Emily. That's when the pounds really added up, and she hit 240 pounds. After having Emily in 2003, Monica lost some baby weight, but reduced her size to only 192 pounds.

Because of the weight, Monica suffered severe sleep apnea and heartburn. Frustrated and fatigued, she wanted more than anything to go down the park slide, and swim with her daughter. But her weight held her back.

Monica's health took a turn for the worse when the excess weight caused a blood clot to form in the back of her left knee. She underwent vein-stripping surgery in early 2005 to relieve the clot.

When Monica came home, things weren't much better. That's when she decided the perfect way to get healthy and become a better mother would be to lose weight.

Monica put her plan into action with a trip to the Killeen, Texas, L A Weight Loss center. She immediately found the support and guidance she needed to get her eating habits on track. She could eat all her favorite foods -- including the pizza and ice cream -- just in moderation.

All along, Monica's biggest motivator was her mother. Monica told her what she should be eating, and cooked healthy meals with her. That helped Monica stick with the L A Weight Loss plan.

She reached her goal weight of 130 pounds on March 1, 2006, just five months after beginning her weight loss plan. That's 110 pounds gone from when she was at her heaviest!

And through it all, she had the one shining star that mattered to her most: her daughter Emily. Now four years old, Emily is full of life. Monica loves taking her to the park and going down the slide. They also rollerskate every Saturday afternoon, and bowl on Friday nights.

Monica always thinks positively, and knows she's a better mother now that her health is back on track. She couldn't have done it without her mother's support and her daughter's motivation. Sounds like this trio knows the true meaning of Mother's Day!

(Also, check out Monica's profile in this week's People Magazine!)

This is the 240-pound Monica before:



And here's Monica with a fabulous 130-pound figure and size 6 bikini to boot! Great job, Monica!



FAST FACTS

Name: Monica King
Hometown: Copperas Cover, Texas
Age: 26
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 240 pounds
Goal weight: 130 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Program start date: Oct. 1, 2005

Biggest temptation: Ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Her daughter and mother.

Biggest obstacle: Getting over cravings for junk food.

Old eating philosophy: Indulging in pizza, rice, and other high-calorie foods.

New eating philosophy: Eating in moderation.

Best thing about losing weight: Being able to play with her daughter.

Best weight loss secret learned: Family support is the best way to stick with a weight loss plan.

Nurse Carol Nygaard prescribes the '150-percent-better' cure

Devoting 12 hours every day to a neonatal intensive care unit leaves little time for yourself. Carol Nygaard knows this all too well. She's a registered nurse in Beresford, S.D. And after putting in intense half-day shifts, Carol didn't have much time to cook healthily or exercise -- and gained the weight to prove it.

She frequently became fatigued, and took naps in the afternoon. She also had trouble bending over and standing back up.

Her weight really became a problem when her husband told her she was snoring at night. She thought she was developing sleep apnea, and needed to see a doctor. But at 273 pounds, she didn't have to make an appointment to know what the doctor's remedy would be: Lose weight.

An ad for L A Weight Loss prompted Carol to call the Sioux Falls center. After losing a few pounds on the L A Weight Loss program, Carol noticed her sleep apnea was diminishing. After losing a bit more, her snoring and sleep apnea completely disappeared.

But that was just the beginning of a changed life for Carol. She lost 126 pounds, and is now down to 147 pounds! She can easily keep up with her two granddaughters, and likes to take them for rides in the wagon. Plus, she has no problem bending over to pick things up, and likes to walk on her treadmill three times a week, sometimes more.

The best thing about losing weight for Carol? It's been a year since she reached her goal weight, and she's still maintaining! She hasn't forgotten lessons learned from her L A Weight Loss counselor to eat healthily, and includes lots of vegetables, fruits, fish, and lean meats in her diet.

Her family is very happy for her, and she tells me she feels "150 percent better about herself." It shows, Carol! Way to go!

Here's Carol before, at 273 pounds:



And check out Carol now, at 147 pounds! Looking fabulous, Carol, keep up the great work!



FAST FACTS

Name: Carol Nygaard
Hometown: Beresford, S.D.
Age: 52

Starting weight: 273 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 147 pounds
Program start date: September 2004

Biggest temptation: Red meat.

Biggest motivator: Her grandchildren.

Biggest obstacle: Getting started on a weight loss plan.

Old eating philosophy: Ignoring fruits and vegetables, and eating a lot of red meat.

New eating philosophy: Making sure she gets all her fruits and vegetables every day, and eating more lean meats and fish.

Best thing about losing weight: Regaining energy and physical flexibility.

Best weight loss secret learned: If you're mentally there, it's much easier to start dropping the pounds.

Zoo trip unmasks 800-lb. gorilla in the room

Little did Heather Cooper know that, when she took her kids to the zoo, it would be a day that would change her life forever.

At the bears exhibit, Heather's son said, "Mommy, that bear's huge! It's bigger than you!" Though those eight words stung, they were the reality check she needed to tackle her lifelong weight battle.

Heather weighed 256 pounds at the time, and her health was deteriorating. She had high blood pressure, breathing and sleeping problems, and was a borderline diabetic.

She napped every day, and could barely get down on the floor to play with her kids. Plus, she was worried about her family history: Her mother died of cancer at 46, and Heather didn't want her kids to grow up motherless.

But joining a diet program wasn't feasible while raising two kids. Then on Heather's birthday, her father gave her a check to use to join L A Weight Loss. Turns out it was the best present Heather's ever received!

Heather dropped 6 pounds in the first week on the program. From then on, it was all about setting goals.

She a started a journal listing things she wanted to accomplish as she shed weight. She also began exercising for the first time in her life. She consistently added 1/4 mile to her jogging routine each time she ran the trails at the local park.

Less than a year later, Heather is a new woman! She's lost 100 pounds, going from a size 24 to a size 8!!! She rewarded herself by learning how to rollerblade, and now circles the park four times. And she's accomplished everything she listed in her journal, with just 25 pounds to go.

In fact, she's been so successful, the Oklahoma City L A Weight Loss Center she attended hired her last November!

Here's Heather at 256 pounds:



And look at her now in her new, beautiful 156-pound frame:



FAST FACTS

Name: Heather Cooper
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla.
Age: 29
Height: 5’4"

Starting weight: 256 pounds
Goal weight: 125-135
Current weight: 156 pounds
Program start date: April 14, 2006

Favorite food: Peanut butter.

Biggest temptation: Sweet desserts, like brownies and ice cream.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy so she could play with her kids, and be around for a long time.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming her high blood pressure and other health issues.

Old eating philosophy: Lots of fried foods and indulgent desserts.

New eating philosophy: She still eats ice cream, though in moderation, and balances that out with healthier foods like fresh vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: When her kids wrap their arms around her, when her husband picks her up, and when her daughter says she wants to be just as pretty as her.

Best weight loss secret learned: You don't have to deprive yourself of the foods you love. It's all about learning how to balance foods in a healthy way, while still having control over what you eat.

Grandmother gains the energy of a toddler

Kitty Fendley spends her life making people healthier as a nurse in Alabama. But when her weight ballooned to 381 pounds, it was Kitty who needed to get healthier -- and fast.

She had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, couldn't move around easily, and struggled to sit in chairs and the car.

But the worst part was when her youngest daughter had her first child. It broke Kitty's heart that she couldn't keep up with her new grandson. Kitty considered gastric bypass surgery, but it just wasn't for her.

She tried Weight Watchers, where she lost some weight, but gained it back. Slim Fast didn't work for her, and the grapefruit diet failed, too. Finally Kitty opted for L A Weight Loss to help her renew her life.

Two years after joining L A Weight Loss, Kitty is down to 198 pounds -- almost half her size! Seeing how successful she's been, Kitty wants to keep going and lose another 20 to 25 pounds.

Kitty no longer has high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Even though she lost a lot of weight, she doesn't have any loose skin, which she owes to her steady rate of weight loss.

Her energy level has skyrocketed, and now her grandson is trying to keep up with her! But Kitty's success doesn't end there. Her niece and a few of her coworkers are also on L A Weight Loss now, well on their way to a healthy, new figure!

Here's Kitty before, at 381 pounds, with her grandson:



Here's Kitty now, at 198 pounds. WOW! Congrats, Kitty!



FAST FACTS:

Name: Kitty Fendley
Hometown: Butler, Ala.
Age: 57

Starting weight: 381 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 198 pounds
Program start date: Dec. 13, 2004

Biggest motivator: One-on-one counseling.

Old eating philosophy: Not caring about nutrition or portion sizes.

New eating philosophy: Religiously following counselor's tips and eating guidance.

Best thing about of losing weight: Being physically active, and getting complimented on her good looks.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink lots of water!

Ron Layne: "Losing weight saved my life!"

Last January, Ron Layne's health was so bad, his doctor ordered him to take temporary medical leave from his transit job. Unbeknownst to Ron, his doctor believed that the leave would most certainly be permanent.

That's because Ron, age 60, was connected to an oxygen tank 24/7 to help with his breathing, and had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and chronic sinus infections. Being 278 pounds didn't help.

For months, Ron's family pleaded with him to lose the extra weight to save his health, to no avail. Then, one March morning, he saw an ad in the local newspaper for L A Weight Loss, and thought, "I have nothing to lose but the weight!" (Must have been one of our better ads! )

He wound up losing 69 pounds as of this month, which was on target for meeting his goal weight of 209 pounds. But with his weight reduction, he also (1) lost the oxygen tank, (2) his blood pressure is slowly moving into the normal range, and (3) his doctor believes his sleep apnea is all but gone.

Was the weight loss the trigger? Only his doctor can say. Speaking of which, his doctor has been so impressed with Ron's progress that he is now recommending the L A Weight Loss program to his obese patients. He's also cleared Ron for a return to work in January.

Ron's doctor said if he hadn't seen Ron's progress himself, he wouldn't have believed it! You can see why by looking at Ron's before and after photos. Here's Ron is before, at a near-deadly 278 pounds:




















Now, 69 pounds lighter, and a lot healthier:



FAST FACTS

Name: Ron Layne
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Age: 60

Starting weight: 278 pounds
Goal weight: 209 pounds
Current weight: 209 pounds
Program start date: March 2006

Biggest motivator: Getting his health back on track, so he could return to his job as a bus driver.

Old eating philosophy: Overeating, then more overeating. Finish a gallon of ice cream or a large bag of potato chips in one sitting.

New eating philosophy: Lots of salad, fruits, and fewer starches. And no potato chips in six months!

Best thing about losing weight: It's the little things, like being able to cross his legs, touch his toes, and lean over to bowl. And getting lots more female attention!

Best weight loss secret learned: If you're overweight, it's a health issue, pure and simple, and should be treated that way.

Angela Williams loses half her size, discovers a whole new person

Angela Williams is a true weight loss super star. She lost over HALF her weight (!), and was featured in People Magazine’s ‘Half Their Size’ feature in May.

Angela was overweight from a young age. In fifth grade she was already 180 pounds. She was constantly teased, and couldn’t cross her legs. As she got older, Angela only got bigger, and developed arthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and was borderline diabetic.

Her wake-up call came when her aunt died of heart disease. Angela knew she had to stop with the excuses and start losing weight. She joined L A Weight Loss, cut out the fast food and snacks, and later started walking to help work the weight off.

In two years, Angela was a new woman. She can finally wear skirts and capris, and feels 100 percent happier and more confident!

Here's Angela at nearly 400 pounds:



And look at her now!! WOW!!! Awesome job, Angela!

FAST FACTS

Name: Angela Williams
Hometown: Alexander, La.
Age: 27
Height: 5 ft. 5 in.

Starting weight: 367 pounds
Goal weight: 190 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Program start date: April 7, 2004

Favorite foods: Chicken breasts and low-fat cheese.

Biggest temptations: Cap’n Crunch and fast food.

Best thing about of losing weight: Feeling great, and knowing she’ll live longer.

Best weight loss secret learned: Stick to the L A Weight Loss plan!!!

From 265 pounds to running a 5k

When Gail Winkler went to the doctors and weighed seven more pounds than she did just a few days earlier, she knew she had to do something to take charge of her body.

But it wasn't that simple. Gail's weight had increased the effects of her sleep apnea, acid reflux disease, and fluid retention in her feet.

Gail was barely 50, but she felt like she was 80. That's when she went to the L A Weight Loss Center across the street from her office. In the last three years, she's dropped and kept off an amazing 117 pounds, and she's even decreased reliance on prescription meds for her various ailments.

What's more, her new body has encouraged her to return to her first love--teaching--and to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

Gail before, tipping the scales at 265 pounds:

After, at 147 pounds:

FAST FACTS

Name: Gail Winkler
Hometown: Russellville, Tenn.
Age: 48

Starting weight: 265 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Current weight: 147 pounds
Program start date: August 2003

Biggest motivator: Getting rid of her chronic health problems: sleep apnea, swollen feet, and acid reflux.

Old eating philosophy: Lots of canned goods with additives and preservatives.
New eating philosophy: It's all about fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Having the energy to finish her first-ever 5k!

Best weight loss secret learned: People are too quick to think that gastric bypass is their only option, rather than the last possible resort.