Josie  270 lbs. – 5′7″                                                          

Josie’s Story:

As a small boned woman, I had never been overweight until and accident changed my life.  I have not been the same since and I find myself not wanting to leave the house.  I feel depressed due to my weight gain.  People don’t care how or why you gained the weight – they just see the weight.  I was on steriods for over two years and on pain management.  I started eating sweets, which I had never done before.

In 2007, my sister died as a result of obesity.  I have been afraid ever since.  I want to live a full, productive life and I feel that this the answer I have been seeking.  I will have the confidence to be in pictures again, go shopping and do all the things I enjoy.  Most of all, I will be able to give back to the community by being a voice for others who are in need like myself.

JOSIE – six weeks later – feeling proud and self-confident….and 17 pounds lighter!  Josie is very excited about her new “thin” future, and is feeling very empowered!  Congratulations!

Susan   210 lbs. – 5′4″    

    Scroll down for Susan’s latest picture!                                                         

Susan’s Story:

I have put on extra weight due to inactivity following several surgeries.  I also have much stress in my life because of some family illness.  I have a very close family member that has stage IV melanoma, and I am wanting to be supportive and helpful.  Meanwhile, I know that I need to take care of my health as diabetes runs in my family.

I have tried patches, acupuncture, weight watchers – all of which have made me feel like I have failed myself in this important component of a healthy life.

I am now starting an exciting chapter in my life as I turn 60 in July, and I am a new grandmother.  I want to be able to keep up with my new granddaughter as a healthy, energetic role model.  I can’t wait to regain my self esteem and spend more date nights with my husband!

Susan with a happier smile and 18 lbs less!

Well on her way!

DEBBIE  - 260 lbs – 6/18/09

Scroll down the page for Debbie’s latest picture!

Debbie’s Story:

My weight gain started in college and never stopped.  I have terrible eating habits that I just can’t seem to change.  I buy the right foods, but they rot before I eat them, meanwhile I eat all the junk foods in the cupboard.

The excess weight has had a huge impact on my life.  I have two kids that often ask me to go out an play ball or do other activities, and I find that the heavier I become, the more excuses I find for not playing with them.  Even bending over to tie my shoes is a stress.   I even get breathless just walking short distances.

I can’t wait to fit in an airline seat, or movie seat without feeling like I am squished into them.  I don’t want my kids to be embarrassed about me, and I want to feel good about myself.  I want my life back for myself and for my kids.

A Very Excited (and successful) Debbie

Congratulations to Debbie and great job!  She lost over 30 lbs in six weeks!

A giant step on the road to good health!

                           Margaret    239 lbs.   5′                       

 Scroll down to see Margaret’s latest picture!

Margaret’s Story:

 My excess weight has made a major impact on my life.  I can’t walk very far without gasping for air.  My doctors have told me that I must lose the weight in order to sustain any quality of life.  I can’t go to the mall, and I even have a hard time just going grocery shopping.  I feel like I’m tied to the house and car and the excess weight has stopped me from living.

I have a grandchild that means the world to me.  I want to go to the zoo or the amusement park with him, or just be able to play and enjoy him instead of telling him I can’t do things.

I am on many medications, and am tired of keeping track of all the prescriptions much less the expense of paying for them.

I can’t even imagine how happy I would feel to be rid of the excess weight.  It would be like having a new life, one with less medications – one where I could enjoy going to the mall, walking in the park, and taking a stroll on the beach.  Most importantly, I could enjoy spending time with my grandchild. 

I feel like I could really live, instead of just feeling like I am waiting to die.

Together, my daughter Candy and I are going to change our lives and the life of the 9 year old we love.

Both Candy and Margaret are doing an excellent job!  Here is Margaret – 7 weeks and 20 plus pounds lighter!  Congratulations!  It shows!

 The incredible shrinking woman!  Our Mother and Grandmother, Margaret, is 45 pounds less in 17 weeks. Healthier, lighter and more energetic!

Wow!  What a difference 60 pounds make!

Margaret is looking wonderful and feeling great!

                                      Candy – 310 lbs.  5′5″

 Scroll down to see Candy’s latest picture!

            Candy’s Story:

All of my life, I have been called fat, even when I really wasn’t.  It has been like this badge of shame that I have had to wear.  As I have gotten older, my weight has continued to climb.  I have made excuses not to do things with my friends when I knew my weight would get in the way – things I would have like to have done.

Now I have a 9 year old child who plays every sport in the world, and would like for me to play with him.  Unfortunately, I get too tired or too sore from the overactivity.  I often have to quit long before he wants to.

Carrying around all this excess weight makes me feel like I am carrying around another grown adult on my back constantly and I am tired of it.  I worry that my child may soon be embarrassed of me.  Both of my parents have diabetes brought on by excess weight.  I know that I may be on that same path if I don’t get the weight off. 

I’m scared that I might not be around to see my child graduate from high school, college, get married or have his first child if I don’t do something.  I want to ride the rides at the amusement park and play endlessly with my child.  Losing this weight will be a dream come true because I could LIVE, not just exist.

My mom, Margaret, and I are going to change our lives together and the life of my son.  We are going to succeed together!

Great success -

7 weeks and 35 pounds lighter!  Candy has a new sparkle in her eye and a spring in her step!

      How is Candy doing??  Here she is – 17 weeks later and 72 lbs. lighter!!!  Fantastic!!  She is feeling wonderful and very energetic.  Her goal is to be under 200 lbs by Christmas – let’s send all postive thoughts her way! 

And here we are – almost 100 lbs. down!

Happy and healthy and having a great time!                  

What exactly is Weight Away Tampa Bay giving back to the community?

We are giving the gift of health to certain individuals that we all know – our mothers, fathers, sisters & brothers – our neighbors, friends, and coworkers.

How are you doing that?

We want to provide help for those people that are special to you, that desire and need to lose weight due to significant medical concerns and may be struggling in these difficult economic times.

What are you providing?

Cesar A. Lara, MD, Center for Weight Management, will give the gift of their safe, effective and healthy weight loss program to a number of  individuals in the Tampa Bay area. This program has helped thousands of people in this area to achieve goals they never thought possible. The weight loss program will be individualized to meet the medical needs of the participant, and participants will have access to every tool we offer in order to be successful. We will keep patient’s physician informed of progress if requested.

Debbie Lane, Certified Hypnotist, will be donating her expertise to help these participants change the thought processes that contribute to obesity. Her guidance will include both individual and group sessions, and will enhance the weight loss program. A healthy mind and body go hand in hand, and Debbie has helped many people rebuild that “mind-body” relationship.

Specific criteria can be found by clicking the “Apply” tab at the top of the page.

Why is Weight Away Tampa Bay giving this assistance?

The answer is simply because we care about health in our community. We want to raise awareness of the relationship between obesity and poor health, and bring healthy, positive change to our area. We believe that by changing one life at a time, we can have a tremendous impact on the overall health of our area. By achieving the individual’s optimal health goals, the families and friends will see a positive change; and employers will see less time missed due to illness. We want to help make a difference in people’s lives, and each person we help affects a huge circle of those around them.

How can I nominate someone or myself? How do I get more information?

Just follow the links for the criteria and application process, and to learn more about Dr. Lara and Debbie Lane. You can also read our Mission Statement and Philosophy. Application deadline is June 5, 2009, so be sure you tell everyone you know about this exciting opportunity!

Cesar Lara, MD is spearheading Weight Away Tampa Bay. Consistent with the  goal to change behavior as a means to achieve and maintain a healthy balance, Dr. Lara will draw upon the expertise of Debbie Lane, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist.   Debbie’s credentials include International Hypnotist of the Year for 2007, and her work with some of Dr. Lara’s patients has proved to be an invaluable tool that helped empower those patients in their journey of change.