First, I'd like to introduce myself as I was 8 months ago. My name is Lori Christianson and I have had enough. I haven't been on a scale for 2 years (my doctors scale - not in 10 years), I haven't looked in a full size mirror in at least 1 and a half years (I put my makeup on using a compact mirror), I hang my clothes to dry so I don't risk anything shrinking. I hate myself and cry everyday for letting myself get so out of control. I feel like a fraud because I have to put on a happy front so no one will see how I'm really feeling. I've stopped letting anyone take pictures of me, even with my kids, so I didn't have to see myself. I've stopped calling friends with the excuse that I'm too busy but, in reality, I don't want them to see how big I've gotten. I always feel awful, I'm always tired, I always have migraines, I'm always sad, my joints are always in pain, and every day is a challenge to get thought. This can't go on any longer!

Last June, when my husband Terry came home and, out of the blue announced that he had just joined U Weight Loss®, I was happy but surprised. I read over the information package and saw that U Weight Loss® had a Family Plan. Then, after Terry broke the record and lost 15 lbs during the first week, I decided to jump on the bandwagon too!

I first walked into a U Weight Loss® Clinic in July of 2008, weighing 247 pounds. I was a young accountant who had just taken on a new job as Head of Finance for a national company in my hometown of Saskatoon. My job frequently required me to work hours in excess of a standard forty-hour work week, which left me exhausted at the end of each day and work week. I found myself in what seemed like an endless trap of waking up each morning tired and returning home exhausted and ready to sleep. This schedule left very little time for me to cater to my social and physical needs. I believe that my career goals were also put at a detriment due to my physical exhaustion.

Since having to stop playing soccer 3-4 times weekly, I became very inactive. I began feeling depressed and very self-conscious. Collectively over the last 3 years, I hit 170 pounds, the heaviest I've ever been. I avoided going to public places unless I absolutely had to. I stopped going shopping because nothing fit me in the stores and every time I looked in the mirror I was disgusted with who I saw looking back at me. I didn't feel good in my own skin. I didn't live like myself anymore. My eating habits went downhill. I thought, "Why eat healthy when I look like this?!" Eating fast food on an almost daily basis, I had really let myself go.

I see my entrance into the U Weight Loss® Clinic (Saskatoon East) as a blessing. I received a flyer in my mailbox at home and threw around the idea of committing to a weight loss program. I had tried other programs in the past, so was a bit hesitant when I drove up and opened the door and walked in. There I found an energetic and positive team of beautiful women that were excited to see me. From that point on they called me by my first name each and every time I walked through their doors.

Hi, my name is Jennifer Rowe and I am now a healthy, happy confident woman thanks to U Weight Loss®.

I have always been dieting since I was about eight years old. My mom had a problem with her weight and she always saw me as being overweight too. I've tried every weight loss system out there, including Weight Watchers, Diet Center and Nutrisystem, just to name a few...

Yes, it was Friday, June the 13th when I saw a U Weight Loss® full-page ad on the back of The Packet Times, our local newspaper. I had often thought about losing some weight, but kept putting it off. My medical doctor has asked me several times to try to lose some weight. I had a very sore foot and was booked in for over a year and a half waiting to see a specialist...

Depressed, low self-esteem, unhappy, shy. These are just a few words that I used to use to describe myself.

My name is Matthew and this is my story. I am 26 years old and I have been overweight my whole life. As a child, my extra weight was politely referred to as "baby fat". I didn't realize it at the time, but at a young age, I learned to refer to my extra weight as being 'big boned' or 'heavy set' and not for what it actually was...

I remember always thinking that I didn't have enough time to look after myself. I would rush around every day doing things for my family and forget about looking after myself. Sure, I could dress well, but I did not look after myself in terms of eating well-balanced meals and exercising. I skipped breakfast every day and usually never ate lunch either. By the evening, I would be starving and the snacking would begin...

Before learing about U Weight Loss®, I had my mind set that being the "bigger girl" and the "friend with a great personality" was what my life would be indefinitely. When the opportunity to try U Weight Loss® presented itself, I was skeptical, but decided I would try it...

When I saw the new U Weight Loss® clinic open in Maple Ridge, I felt that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by calling them (no pun intended). I started the program on February,15th 2009 weighing 260 lbs and by June, 15th (four months later), I had surpassed my six month goal of losing 50 lbs and weighed in at 198 lbs. I had lost 62 pounds! The only thing I could say is "WOW"! I have to shop for a whole new wardrobe.

I believe that quality of life is a result of the decisions we make and this was one decision I would never regret.

I'm now looking forward to starting the maintenance program with the staff at Maple Ridge U Weight Loss® Clinic so that I can keep the weight off for good!

As a performing artist, I am a part of an industry that places great value on image. People have an expectation that women in music look good - young, slim and attractive. I have often struggled with this expectation because I have high standards for my music and believe that the quality of the music has nothing to do with the how good I look or don't look.

The fact remains, however, that when I'm on stage, people are looking at me. For years I did a good job of dressing to hide my extra pounds but the truth is - I never felt totally comfortable inside my own body...

When I quit a very active job to work at a desk, I never realized how quickly I would gain weight. I gained 30 pounds in three months. I felt horrible about myself. None of my clothes fit and I was very self-conscious about the way I looked.

I never wanted to do anything or go out anywhere anymore. My husband is very loving and never said anything negative about the way I looked, but after I gained the weight, I never felt comfortable being naked in front of him. I was able...

I have always been fairly fit and a conscientious eater throughout my life. Then after having kids and turning 40 my body started to change. As I was aging it was obvious that my metabolism was changing. I thought I could manage the weight gain on my own with my onw knowledge and exercise plan but nothing was working. I decided to get some help and came to see the U Weight Loss® Clinic. I wanted to feel good and look the way I used to in my early thirties.

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I am 48 years old and I have had type 2 diabetes for the last 9 years. I joined U Weight Loss® and have seen incredible results. I have lost 22 lbs and 38 inches and have maintained my weight for the past 5 months.

My blood sugar has never been this good and my doctor can't believe how consistent it has been. I have been able to eliminate 1 drug completely and working on reducing my other medication. U Weight Loss® has taught me how to eat properly and increase my exercise activity.

Hi my name is Vito and I am 43 years old. I started with U Weight Loss® Clinic October 6th, 2008. The first time I called U Weight Loss® Clinic, a young pleasant voice answered my call. To this day the way she answered the phone makes me feel happy to be a client at U Weight Loss® Clinic. She said "It's a great day at U Weight Loss® Clinic, this is Christina speaking how I can make you smile?"

Well, I've been smiling since I lost the first pound. Since I have started at U Weight Loss®, I have lost 22 lbs and a total of 25.75 inches. I feel I have more energy, I feel better physically and mentally

Hi, my name is Crystal. I'm 29 years old and I'm a single mother of five. I joined the U weight loss® Clinic on October 19, 2007. I remember this date because that was the best thing I could have ever done for myself!

Life before U...

I weighed 185 lbs. I hated going outside. I was grossed out with what had become of me. I was tired all the time. I needed a pot of coffee just to keep me going from 5am - 7pm. I would need a nap at around 1 pm...

In mid-June 2007, my husband Doug saw a full-page ad for U weight loss® Clinic in our local paper. We tried, unsuccessfully, to acquire information on the website, so we decided to drop in at the centre. We were disappointed to have to wait a week for an appointment, still, none the wiser, we persisted. Doug wanted to know the financial aspects while I was more interested in finding a program, not another diet. I'd tried them all!

When we were married in 1970, I weighed 128 lbs and Doug weighed 200 lbs. With the arrival...

My weight has been an ongoing battle ever since I decided to have kids. With the final addition to our family, I gained over 80 lbs and at 9 months pregnant, I weighed over 270 lbs.

All I did was pray that it would all come off once the baby was born. Of course, that didn't happen! After I had my son, I was 244 lbs and was disgusted with myself. I did not want to leave the house. I felt enormous! I was very depressed and all that led to was overeating! It was supposed to be a joyous time, but the...

I am an elementary music teacher with 500 students. So eating healthy meals is important for keeping me energized in my active job.

At U weight loss®, I have lost 25.5 lbs in just 14 weeks. While being on this program, I have noticed increased vitality and a reduced appetite. I have access to personalized recipes that I can choose online and they are extremely tasty and quick to prepare. The program provides grocery shopping lists, which I can print along with the meals plan, which is so convenient. The program...

Day one: 10 lbs, 6 oz. Wow, that's a really healthy start.

Hi, my name is Irene and that's when my weight challenges began. Having a mom who is the best cook ever fueled my love affair with food. Food was my constant companion. I have four older brothers who can eat anything that isn't nailed down. Well, I soon found out that this rule did not apply to me.

At age 15, I started my first weight loss® program in the form of prescription diet pills. It seemed...

When I first joined U weight loss®, I'll admit that I was skeptical. I had tried many different weight loss® programs only to realize that I needed more. I was concerned about my health, but also wanted to better my physical appearance.

But, I quickly found out that U weight loss® was different.

The reception I received when I walked through the doors didn't make me feel like just another client. I felt like I was part of a team. The staff...

It all happened in the summer of 2007 when a local tavern, which I visited frequently, was being renovated. There were rumours of another tavern or restaurant opening up. Then, finally, one day I was driving by and saw the sign ''U weight loss® Clinic'' up at this location. That sign was on my mind for a few days and I will tell U why.

I am a 48-year-old man. I am 5' 5'' and weigh 200 lbs. I have high blood pressure. I am a Locomotive Engineer so my job involves mostly sitting on my behind and not much exercise. I knew I had to change things around for myself and for my family...

My name is Eleanor and I started on U weight loss® less than five months ago and I couldn't be happier. With the help of the professional, courteous staff at U, I can proudly tell you that I've achieved my goal and lost 40 lbs and over 50 inches.

I seriously started thinking about losing weight last summer. I knew I needed to lose weight because of the constant tired, bloated feeling I was experiencing.

It seems like just a few short months ago that I started hearing the commercials and saw...

I came to U weight loss® as a sad, weepy person. I struggled hard to feel happy and I cried often at my consultation sessions, but gradually I began to feel better emotionally and physically due to all the positive support I received.

There were many times when I was ready to quit, but the staff always found ways for me to continue.

The best aspect of the program is the great, supportive staff. It is so encouraging to have people counselling me, who have lost a lot of weight...

As a mother of six and with my birthday approaching, the decision was finally made. I needed to do something about my lifelong battle with my weight. I did not want to look frumpy at 50. I wanted to look great, feel great and, as my son said, ''You want to look 'spicy''. I really needed to lose weight, be a happier person, live my life and love myself.

This is what attracted me to the U weight loss® Clinic; their advertising message: ''lose, live, love''. This is what I wanted and needed...

My name is Kelly and this is my testimony of how U weight loss® helped to change my life!

After giving birth to my last two children 14 years ago, I never seemed to be able to get rid of the extra pounds that I had put on during my pregnancies. Every week, I tried something new, hoping that it would be the diet to end all diets. And every month, I went through the same thing, usually gaining a couple of pounds along the way. My life was made up of looking after my family and going to work. I never wanted to go out anywhere, never would have...

My name is Michelle Coates. I work in an office environment which is very sedentary. When I joined U weight loss®, I weighed 165 lbs and did not like the road I saw my life and weight taking. After 17 weeks on the program, I am 24 lbs lighter and have lost 24.5 inches.

I needed a program that would fit my lifestyle where I could eat the foods I enjoy and still lose weight. U weight loss® personalizes a program to fit all your needs and the individual attention and motivation of the staff gave me the strength...

I walked into the U weight loss® Clinic in North Bay, Ontario with Paul, my husband and biggest supporter, and was met by the most wonderful bunch of girls (staff) anyone with low self-esteem and NO self-image could ever imagine meeting.

Pam, the owner, introduced me to the program and after a lot of tears on my part, I became a client. The most important question she asked me was, ''Where do you see yourself in five years?'' I replied, ''Dead'', as I honestly knew that, if I continued on the path of destruction I was on, I would be...

Being introduced to the U weight loss® Clinic made me interested in applying for a position there. Having a background in health and weight loss®, I knew I would benefit from working in this environment. Getting hired was fabulous, as I started the program and could prove that it worked.

After having a baby later in life, 30 lbs crept up over 16 years. A part of me thought that losing 30 lbs could never happen. However, losing 6 lbs in a week made me believe in myself and I knew that I would be able to achieve my goal. The supplements and...

My journey or wake-up call came last July when my husband and I went to Halifax to visit our son and family. Kids are so honest about everything. The honesty came when my six-year-old grandson was talking to his dad and said very innocently, ''Look at memere's big bum!'' He thought it was so funny, but for me, it was my wake-up call. I had to do something about my health and the first thing was to lose weight.

I saw the ad for the U Weight Loss ® Clinic on my way home and something told me to stop and see what it was all about. Well, I finally did and that was...