Loretta Finnikin catches a case of inspiration

Inspiration is contagious. And often, once you catch it, you want to spread it. Take Loretta Finnikin.

Loretta was overweight her entire life. She packed her diet with junk snacks, sugary sodas, and huge portions of high-calorie foods. By the time she was an adult, Loretta weighed 241 pounds.

Loretta felt the effects of her extra weight. She was on medication for high blood pressure, and couldn't make it up the stairs without gasping for breath. She had constant headaches, and suffered from bouts of nausea.

Not only did Loretta suffer physical problems, she also felt emotional pain. She hated the way strangers treated her, and everywhere she turned it seemed someone was snickering.

Loretta tried a laundry list of fad diets and diet pills, but nothing to show for it. When Loretta turned 50 in 2005, she decided once and for all to lose weight.

Loretta was driving to pick up a fast food dinner when she passed her local Gardendale, Ala., L A Weight Loss center. She turned into the parking lot, and joined right then and there.

She was paired up with her personal weight loss counselor, Susan, who helped coach her through her toughest weight loss moments. Susan served as a constant source of inspiration for Loretta, and worked closely with her to transform her meals.

She cut out her usual daily diet of seven high-calorie sodas, fatty meats, fried foods, and sweets; and replaced it with fresh fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, and water. Loretta watched everything she ate, and read product labels before foods hit her grocery cart.

She also learned portion control. Instead of a few large meals every day, Loretta paced herself, and broke them into six smaller meals. And she replaced her usual snack of chips or cake with fruit or an L A Lite bar.

By simply adjusting her diet, Loretta started seeing the pounds drop. And the more weight she lost, the more energy she gained. For the first time in her life, Loretta began exercising. She worked out at her local gym three to four times a week, and was thrilled with the results.

After two years on L A Weight Loss, Loretta lost 99 pounds. At 142 pounds, she's only four pounds away from her weight loss goal! She can't believe that she can eat what she enjoys and still lose weight.

Loretta loves everything that comes with being thinner. The best part is shopping. While she used to frequent plus-size clothing stores, Loretta now shops anywhere she wants, and loves buying smaller, cuter clothes.

And the compliments she's been receiving have been great. Her family can't believe how much weight she's lost. She's off her blood pressure medication, and has said good-bye to her other weight-related health problems.

Loretta's self-confidence is through the roof. She is so motivated to stay healthy and be fit, she wants to tell the world, and inspire others to take control of their weight as well.

Way to go, Loretta! We're so proud of you! Keep up the good work!

Here's Loretta at her heaviest, 241 pounds:



And here she is today at 142 pounds. Wow!



FAST FACTS

Name: Loretta Finnikin
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Age: 53
Height: 5'0"

Starting weight: 241 pounds
Goal weight: 138 pounds
Current weight: 142 pounds
Program start date: July 2005

Favorite foods: Macaroni and cheese, cornbread, collard greens, and soda.

Biggest temptation: Fried foods.

Biggest motivator: Being determined to break her family's history of bad health.

Biggest obstacle: Losing the weight and keeping it off.

Old eating philosophy: Piling on full plates, and eating everything.

New eating philosophy: Eating lean meats and vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Having a whole new body, and fitting into a size 6.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat anything you want and lose weight!