UPDATE: Barbara Bonura crosses the finish line ... and stays there!

The last time we checked in with Barbara Bonura, she had successfully shed 50 pounds with the L A Weight Loss program. Since then, she's even lost another two pounds!

Barbara's healthy lifestyle hasn't slowed down. As a U.S. mail carrier, Barbara walks every day, but it doesn’t stop there. March marks her third year running in a local women’s 10k run to raise money for women's and children’s health issues. Good for you, Barbara!

Barbara also has a regular work out routine. She works out at the gym three days a week (and two of those days are before work at 5 a.m.). Barbara also runs on the weekends. She's up with the sunrise on Saturdays to run four miles at 4 a.m. That's commitment!

Barbara still follows her L A Weight Loss plan. Her typical menu consists of 8 oz. skim milk with one serving of cornflakes and one banana for breakfast. For lunch, one serving of a lean protein (usually fresh, deli sliced lunch meat) with one slice of whole grain bread. Dinner is usually a salad with either lean chicken or fish. And for a healthy snack, Barbara usually grabs a piece of fresh fruit.

Way to go Barbara, you look GREAT. All you hard work has paid off!

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!

Lisa McNeil's February update

Lisa McNeil is glowing with pride lately. Now 9 pounds into her weight loss journey, Lisa weighs 341 pounds. Her spirits are high, and they should be -- she's shed almost eight inches from her waist line. Keep up the great work, Lisa!

Here's an updated picture of 341-pound Lisa:



And here she is in her third video, more determined than ever to keep going:

A successful update from Lisa McNeil

In December, we introduced you to Lisa McNeil, the Atlanta woman stepping up to the big challenge of losing more than half of her weight. At 350 pounds, Lisa set a goal of reaching 150 pounds by November 2009.

Well, it's almost one month later, and Lisa has already dropped eight pounds. By choosing smarter foods and sticking to proper portion sizes, she's sure to experience success throughout her weight loss journey. Keep up the great work, Lisa!

Here's Lisa today at 342 pounds:



And here she is in her second video. Check it out!

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:

UPDATE: Connie Thone crosses weight loss finish line

The last time we spoke to Connie Thone at 147 pounds, she was bearing down on her weight loss goal.

Since then, Connie has crossed the finish line! She now officially weighs in at 140 pounds, and is enjoying the life she always dreamed of.

She can't even describe how much better her life has become. No one can believe how great she looks. And Connie loves showing off her new body with a more active lifestyle that includes walking and biking.

We're so proud of you, Connie! You look fantastic!

Here's Connie today looking amazing at 140 pounds:

Update: Disney-loving dad rides to weight loss success

Since we last checked in on John Lay, he has continued to shed the pounds -- 13, to be exact.

This brings him a mere three pounds away from his new goal weight of 230 pounds. That's a total of 170 pounds lost!

His experience with L A Weight Loss has taught John that losing weight requires a lifestyle change, not just a diet. He also values the freedom his weight loss has given him.

John now feels he truly "fits" into life -- from plane seats, to smaller clothes, to his favorite rides at Disney World. And he looks great, too ;)

Keep up the awesome work, John, and let us know when you hit that goal!

FAST FACTS

Name: John Lay
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ky.
Age: 45
Height: 6'2"

Starting weight: 402 pounds
Goal weight: 230 pounds
Current weight: 233 pounds
Program start date: January 2005

Favorite food: BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.

Biggest temptation: Sweets, pies, and desserts.

Biggest motivator: Getting fees back from L A Weight Loss for a year of weight maintenance.

Biggest obstacle: Increasing his exercise.

Old eating philosophy: Eating until he was full, then eating more.

New eating philosophy: Eating only what his body needs, not what his body wants.

Best thing about losing weight: Seeing how far he's come, and fitting into smaller seats and clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: Follow guidelines for portion control, and regularly exercise. Just stick with it!

In just 55 weeks, John Lay dropped 155 lbs. -- and his blood pressure medication

John Lay's wakeup call came when his size made it difficult for him to travel or enjoy a family trip to Disney World. He weighed 402 pounds, hurting his personal and professional life enormously.

John, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, says he didn’t feel confident out in public on any level, whether it was speaking engagements for work or swimming with the family. His lack of energy also caused him to be more isolated.

After witnessing some of his colleagues’ success at L A Weight Loss, John decided to join. Counselors and nutritionists worked closely with him to come up with a plan and goals that suited his health needs.

Today, John finds his life lighter -- literally! He even returned to Disney World again and this time, the seat fit.

UPDATE: John's 13 pounds closer to his goal weight today. We caught up with him and found out more about what losing weight has done for him. Check it out!

Here's John at 402 pounds:

Now John's at 245 -- 57 pounds more than his goal weight! Way to go, John!!