BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Fast, fatty foods, oversized portions and a fast-paced lifestyle have taken their toll on the waistlines of Kern County residents.

About two-thirds are overweight or obese, according to the 2005 California Health Index Survey.

Brian Wilcox, of Bakersfield, used to be more than 100 pounds overweight.

"I was doing two to three drive-throughs a day," Wilcox said.

Gina Henderson, of Bakersfield, gained her weight like many mothers do, staying at home, raising children and eating too much.

"I tried so many programs to lose weight. I would lose 10 pounds and gain 20," Henderson said.

Studies show that most crash or fad diets don't work in the long term.

According to bariatric physician Dr. Payam Kerendian, what has shown to work is a complete and permanent change in your lifestyle, and most importantly, your relationship with food.

With this method, Wilcox has lost an entire person in weight. Henderson has lost 36 pounds and kept it off for a year.

"I don't go to fast food," Wilcox said, adding that if his wife has a dessert, he may take a bite, but that's it.

"I'll go eat half of a dish and push it away then fill up on salad," Henderson said.

Both went to Kerendian, who specializes in obesity and taking the weight off. He doesn't believe in commercial diets and he does not do bariatric surgery.

He said 99 percent of his patients lose the weight by getting a mental and medical understanding of the core of their weight problem.

"One hundred percent of my patients have a core problem they never knew of or thought of," Kerendian said.

He said it could be medical, such as genetics or a thyroid problem, or a behavioral issue or both.

Kerendian said the first step is to identify the problem, then tailor a solution, which includes a complete re-education about food and cutting calories.

"More so it was the counseling he put me on that taught me how to eat. It wasn't to change all of your food but to cut corners and watch intake," Henderson said

But Kerendian said it's not easy.

"If anyone you go to tells you it's easy, you walk out the door and save your money. Go to someone who tells you the truth," Kerendian said.

Wilcox is convinced after losing so much weight that anyone can do it if they are 100 percent dedicated and are willing to change for life.

"The life you get back from losing any kind of weigh is amazing," Wilcox said.

Kerendian said those who are serious about losing weight should go to a qualified physician specializing in weight loss. This way they can check metabolism rates and find out of there are medical reasons for the weight problems.