Don't Wait, Start Now!
A community project spearheaded by Cesar Lara, M.D., working in conjunction with Debbie Lane, Certified Hypnotist. Visit Dr. Cesar Lara or Debbie Lane online.
Archive for the ‘Welcome to Weight Away’ Category
Orchid
Orhideja (Orchid) – 170 lbs.
“My work life, children, husband and self esteem have all been affected negatively as a result of my weight. As a CNA, I am am no longer able to bend over and assist my clients at work as I was once able to. My stomach pushes against my diaphragm make it difficult to breathe, while my heart races.”
“When I get home from work, all I want to do is sit down or lay down because my body hurts so badly. My children want to play when they get home from school, but I simply don’t have the energy to do it.”
“I want to be comfortable in my own skin and be able to play with my children, enjoy my husband and do my job effectively.”
Joyce
Joyce – 420 lbs.
Joyce says that her excess weight affects her every day functions. “Walking, cleaning house, taking care of my family, and having enough energy to get through a busy day as a caretaker for my elderly mother and two babies. Just a day at the mall can put me in pain. I want to be able to get down on my knees and clean out a cabinet or weed in the yard! I want to go on a bike ride with my husband and grandchild, or at least take a walk around the block. I can do none of these things.”
“I find myself being more reclusive and look for excuses to stay home. I have always been a joyful and positive person, but now I like to be quiet and blend into a group instead of being myself. ”
“Most importantly, if I do not lose some weight soon, I will not have a future to look forward to. I have a loving family and I want to be able to see my future grandchildren, watch them grow and play with them.”
Kim
Kim – 223 pounds
Her Story:
My weight has prohibited me from being the mother I should be by not being able to do things with my children. It has caused me to not participate in certain things due to embarassment. I have shortness of breath when over-exerted, pain in my legs and my feet are hurting all the time. I am very unhappy with myself. Losing with will afford me to enjoy my young children, and more importantly, will afford my children and my husband to enjoy me!
Sue
Sue – 261 lbs
Sue is a Breast Cancer survivor, and now has diabetes and arthritis. She knows that weight loss will help her reduce or eliminate the medications she takes, and will also reduce the risk of the breast cancer returning.
“My excess weight has been a burden both physically and mentally. I have three beautiful grandchildren and I want to be able to sit down on the floor and play games with them, but I can’t. I want to be able to go outside and run around with them and take walks. When I walk up stairs, or even from the car to the mall, I can’t breathe. I have to stop and relax before I can do anything. My back and legs hurt all the time because of the weight I am carrying around.”
“I want to be able to take care of my aging mother, who is requiring more and more from me physically. I want to play with my grandchildren and travel with my husband. I need to be around for all the precious people in my life, and if I don’t make some life changes, I may not even be around to watch my grandchildren grow up.”
Connie
Connie is a young mom, whose weight has definitely impacted her life. She is ready to be healthy and energetic! Her story: “I have trouble doing activities with my two children. My 8 year old is a special needs child and I get very tired trying to keep up with her. My 10 year old is very aware of my size and is cautious about her weight. I do not look forward to weekends because my family wants to do something fun, and I find myself sitting out or not going.
I need to get healthy for my kids and for me. I want to be around to see them grow. Right now, I feel like I am on the outside of the world looking in.
328 lbs
Josie
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!
Debbie
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!
- DEBBIE 75 LBS LIGHTER
Margaret (Candy’s Mother)
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 (Margaret’s Daughter)
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!
Weight Away Tampa Bay!
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!
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