Weight loss

Developing walking into a daily habit and cutting white starch and sugar from her diet were also key components to her tremendous An avid urban walker averaging 48-55 miles a week, Laura can be seen walking daily around Chicago's Gold Coast, Magnificent Mile, River North and Downtown areas, most of the time with her two little Italian Greyhounds.

On many morning walks her husband joins her.

In 2005, her third year of daily walking, Laura logged 2361.28 miles.

Her extensive background in the hair and fashion industries led her to become one of the nation's first and top Plus Size designers from 1986-1998.

She was also one of the nation's first and top Plus Size models from 1980-1988.

She has dozens of personal appearance makeovers for women as well as men to her credit.

Laura is now a motivational coach.

She is writing a How-To/How I Did It book, Pound by Pound: How To Move, Lose Weight, and Stay Motivated 365 Days a Year For The Rest of Your Life (And look fabulous while doing it).

She also speaks and writes motivational articles for an online support group (www.poundbypoundonline.com).

Her ability to communicate crosses a diverse demographic.

Younger women and men look up to Laura like a cooler, chicer big sister; older gals and guys identify with her because she...