Best secrets from our "biggest losers"

We recently tracked down 11 of our "biggest losers" on the blog -- people who've lost over 100 pounds -- to find out their favorite weight loss secrets.

From portion control to finding the right foods, these successful losers share what helped them drop the pounds -- more than 2,000 pounds in total, to be exact. But these points of advice aren't just for the obese. We selected them because they're helpful for anyone trying to lose weight!

Sharla Pincock, lost 150 pounds: Eat more often throughout the day. Breakfast is the most important meal.

Tena Evans, lost 173 pounds: You can still eat out at restaurants while losing weight, just make the right decisions.

Arianna Chavez, lost 154 pounds: Drink lots of water! It really helps and can make a big difference.

Ben Shanahan, lost 130 pounds: You can eat anything and still lose weight. It’s all about portion control and making smart choices. For example, have veggie pizza instead of pizza with meat toppings.

Becky Harrold, lost 120 pounds: If you stick to the correct portions, you can still eat the foods you love. It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.

Connie Thone, lost 220 pounds: Keep variety in your diet.

John Lay, lost 160 pounds: It’s all about adding exercise to your life.

Kathy Kersting, lost 108 pounds: Use little mental tricks to dissuade yourself from eating bad foods throughout the day, like whether the person from work who made those brownies washed their hands.

LuAnn Zipp, lost 150 pounds: Moderation is the key to everything.

Margaret Mondragon, lost 188 pounds: By adding more fruit to your diet, you'll lose weight, and enjoy a sweet snack.

Michelle Dumas, lost 200 pounds: Don’t eat carbs at night.

UPDATE: Tena Evans reaches her ideal weight for an ideal life

Here at L A Weight Loss, we have the opportunity to see people laugh, cry, and be inspired every day. Most rewarding, though, is seeing the joy expressed when someone reaches their goal weight. Recently, Tena Evans experienced that joy.

Tena has had quite a weight loss journey. She had struggled with her weight for over 20 years when she joined L A Weight Loss in 2005. At the time, her health and happiness were far from ideal.

But Tena found the support she needed at her Fresno, Calif. center to transform her diet and her life. In fact, when we last checked on her, she weighed 163 pounds -- 155 pounds lighter than her original weight of 318 pounds! Wow!

Since then, Tena shed the last 5 pounds to reach her goal of 158 pounds! She has tons of energy, and enjoys walking outdoors with her girlfriends and riding her bike. We're so happy for you, Tena! Congratulations!

Here's Tena at 158 pounds, 160 pounds smaller than when she first walked into L A Weight Loss:

California mom finds the motivation to change her life

Motivation springs from all kinds of sources. People have changed their lives because of books, movies, speeches, and others' example. But for Tena Evans, motivation came from just two little words: "fat cow."

Tena struggled with weight for over 20 years. Then she packed on extra pounds after her marriage. The added stress of raising a family, coupled with some serious family health issues, contributed to further weight gain.

Tena also regularly ate foods she served at the day care center where she worked -- a daily menu that revolved around chicken fingers, pizza, macaroni and cheese, tater tots, and other fatty foods.

Soon, Tena was tipping the scales at 318 pounds. She struggled in everyday situations, like squeezing into restaurant booths and amusement park rides.

Tena also had trouble breathing due to asthma. She couldn't even clean her house without becoming short of breath. Worse, the asthma often kept her up at night, when Tena would only eat more.

But Tena knew enough was enough when she experienced the cruelty that often plagues overweight people. While she was out walking one day, kids driving by threw a bag of fast food at her, and yelled, "Fat cow!"

Those two horrible words inspired a lifetime of change for Tena. After trying several weight loss programs that didn't work for her, Tena joined the Fresno, Calif., L A Weight Loss center in December 2005.

Her personal counselors helped turn her diet from fried to fresh. Tena started eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grilled chicken. That did the trick: Tena shed 155 pounds (!!) after a year and a half on the program, and is incredibly close to her goal weight of 158 pounds!

Tena now feels like a new woman. She breathes easier, and has plenty of energy for exercise. Plus, she's happier, and can devote more of herself to her day care kids and her own children.

Tena even carries her L A Weight Loss lessons over to her day care menu. The kids now enjoy healthier food choices, such as non-fat graham crackers and carrots. The best part: Tena's success has inspired others to join L A Weight Loss! Way to go, Tena!

UPDATE: Tena has reached her goal weight of 158 pounds! She has more energy than ever before, and enjoys walking outdoors with her girlfriends and riding her bike. We're so happy for you, Tena!

Here's Tena at 318 pounds:



And here she is half her size! You look fantastic, Tena!



FAST FACTS

Name: Tena Evans
Hometown: Fresno, Calif.
Age: 40
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 318 pounds
Goal weight: 158 pounds
Current weight: 163 pounds
Program start date: Dec. 31, 2005

Favorite food: Anything with carbs.

Biggest temptation: McDonald's ice cream sundaes.

Biggest motivator: Carrying before pictures in her purse to look at each day.

Biggest obstacle: Struggling to whip up an array of healthy meals every day for the young children at day care.

Old eating philosophy: Chowing down on everything the kids were eating.

New eating philosophy: Creating meals with a lot of broccoli, grilled chicken, and fish.

Best thing about losing weight: Fitting into smaller clothing sizes, and being treated like a human being.

Best weight loss secret learned: Losing weight doesn't mean you have to give up eating out at restaurants. Just be honest in your food journal, and never forget portion control!