From Fones To Weight Loss

By Arun Savara, Ph. D.
Wednesday - March 29, 2006
| Del.icio.us | Share

April Tantalus, a client of LA Weight Loss, took off 33 pounds with the program, and is happy to be lighter.
April Tantalus, a client of LA Weight
Loss, took off 33 pounds with the
program, and is happy to be lighter.

My wife and I, with our sons, were lucky as a family to get an opportunity to move to Hawaii, thanks to a great job opportunity with VeriFone. Once introduced to the Islands, it became easy to make Hawaii our home. After VeriFone, we were fortunate to own some businesses that allowed us to continue living in Honolulu.

Mira and I believe in community service and in lending a helping hand when needed. We’ve always participated in efforts to help the less fortunate, and about five years ago decided to spend more time in that direction. I was fortunate to be able to serve on the board of the Institute for Human Services (which does an excellent job of providing meals and accommodations for the homeless) for a couple of years, but felt I did not contribute as much as I could have. So, when a business became available through which we could help people, we jumped at the chance. That was how we entered the weight-loss business, with the purchase of the franchise for LA Weight Loss Centers for Hawaii. Locally, LA Weight Loss has three locations - in Kaimuki, Aiea and Kaneohe - to service all of Oahu. Neighbor Islands are currently serviced by phone.


Our decision to purchase the business was solidified by the unpaid testimonials of many clients. The one I remember best is from a woman whose blood pressure went down after only four weeks on the program. She was scheduled to have surgery at the time, but because she did so well with LA Weight Loss it was postponed indefinitely with consent from her doctor. We’ve met many clients who’ve reduced their blood pressure or diabetes medication after being on the program, others who were suddenly seized with the joy of living after being released from years of depression from being overweight.

We continue to marvel at the dedication of our clients and their zest for life. For the most part, they are fun-loving, vivacious personalities like one of our current clients, April Tantalus. April is so attractive and filled with the joy of living that we featured her in a commercial. She enjoyed being filmed and being on the air.

April lost 33 pounds and is very happy to be lighter. She had tried to lose weight on her own with a support group, but the weight loss did not last when the group broke up. She was attracted to LA Weight Loss because she knew she could eat fresh food and did not have to buy frozen foods like in some other weight-loss systems. She also liked the frequent counseling sessions, as they made her accountable to someone, which helped her to stay on the program.


Her weight- gain story is similar to that of many women. A couple of pregnancies left her with unwanted pounds, she felt unattractive, uncoordinated and somewhat dissatisfied with life. After losing weight she has more confidence, can achieve more, has more energy and can set goals like participating in the 10K race, which she would not have done earlier. She says, “I realize that I paid a price to lose weight, but it was worth it. I would not have been able to do it by myself. In the long run it is worth the expense. I have better health, more energy to play with my son, and more energy for my husband.”

She hopes that her story will inspire others to try LA Weight Loss and see the difference that losing weight can make in their lives. Mira and I feel our lives are enriched by meeting such wonderful clients and participating in their joy and success. Obesity has been linked to so many health problems, we feel that by helping one person at a time we can make a difference in the quality of life for our community.

Next Week: Cathy Chong, Iolani School

E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS Comments (0) |

Most Recent Comment(s):

Posting a comment on MidWeek.com requires a free registration.

Username

Password

Auto Login

Forgot Password

Times Supermarket

 

 

 


Tiare Asia and Alex Bing
were spotted at the Sugar Ray's Bar Lounge