From Katrina to Kentucky: Stephanie Ladnier’s weight loss journey

Most women like to compare themselves to movie starlets like Angelina Jolie or Halle Berry.

But for Stephanie Ladnier, she felt more like Violet Beauregard, the blown-up blueberry girl from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, when she and her family of five landed in Kentucky after losing their entire home during Hurricane Katrina.

Without a kitchen to call her own, Stephanie put on weight *fast*, which made her very depressed. She was ready for a complete lifestyle change, but didn’t have any money to join L A Weight Loss.

Her husband Jamie saved the day by selling his treasured antique guns, and raised enough money for his wife to start the program (way to go, Jamie!). Stephanie certainly made every penny count. She lost over 80 pounds in only one year!

When I caught up with her, Stephanie was looking and feeling fantastic with a new home, a new body, and a new life. The best part: Stephanie says “the weight will never be an issue in my life again.”

Here she is before, at 269 pounds:



And after, at 189 pounds:

FAST FACTS

Name: Stephanie Ladnier
Hometown: Elizabethtown, Ky.
Age: 31
Height: 5 ft. 6 in.

Starting weight: 269 pounds
Goal weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 189 pounds
Program start date: January 2006

Favorite food: Fruit, raw carrots.

Biggest temptation: Peanut butter.

Biggest motivator: The need to get life back on track after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Biggest obstacle: Homelessness, tough financial situation (disabled husband was unemployed).

Old eating philosophy: Eat everything in sight because you might run out.

New eating philosophy: Have fun with your food, and try new things.

Best thing about of losing weight: Feeling feminine again when her husband wraps his arms around her.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don’t doubt yourself. Keep your chin up!