Louisiana woman makes family history by breaking it

There's no question that obesity can run in families. Unfortunately for Courtney Dawson, her family was one of them.

Weight was an issue for Courtney's family for generations -- and the genes didn't skip her. All of the extra helpings of fried food and soda didn't help. By age 12, she tipped the scales at a whopping 180 pounds.

Being young and overweight wasn't easy. Classmates in her 6th grade class teased her when she couldn't fit in her desk. Boys told her she was pretty, but too heavy to date.

Nevertheless, Courtney learned to live with her weight, and continued her bad eating habits into adulthood. After giving birth to her second child, Kaleb, she tipped the scales at 334 pounds.

Courtney's blood pressure was through the roof. Doctors were concerned, and told her she needed to go on medication to lower it if she didn't lose weight immediately.

Motivated by the threat of medication, Courtney decided to lose weight on her own by exercising. She shed some pounds, but reached a plateau. She realized she couldn't do it alone.

So in May 2006, she joined her local Bossier City Louisiana L A Weight Loss center with her mother, who was also suffering from obesity and high blood pressure.

Courtney was paired up with a one-on-one weight loss counselor, and learned how make her diet as healthy as possible. She added fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and water, and cut out many fried foods. She also learned the importance of portion control.

Courtney supplemented her weight loss by walking almost every day for 45 minutes at a local park, while her kids played at the playground. She also joined a gym where she took step aerobics classes and pilates, and did an hour of cardio a day, six times a week.

Now Courtney weighs 168 pounds -- half her size! The 31-year-old no longer suffers from high blood pressure or exhaustion. She can fit comfortably in movie theater seats and restaurant booths, and has energy to play with her kids in the park.

She is also shopping for her new size-10 figure, and glows from the inside out with pride of her accomplishment! She hopes she can start a new chapter in her family history -- one with healthy and slim figures! Great job, Courtney!

Here's Courtney at 334 pounds before she joined L A Weight Loss:



And here she is today, at a stunning 168 pounds. Looking great, Courtney!



FAST FACTS

Name: Courtney Dawson
Hometown: Princeton, La.
Age: 31
Height: 5'8"

Starting weight: 334 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Program start date: May 2006

Favorite food: Cheeseburgers.

Biggest temptation: Fried foods.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy.

Biggest obstacle: Resisting old eating habits.

Old eating philosophy: Eating out all the time, and feasting on fried and fast foods.

New eating philosophy: Preparing well-balanced meals at home.

Best thing about losing weight: Looking great and feeling even better.

Best weight loss secret learned: Portion control is everything.