Cassandra White breaks life-long bad habits for a longer life

Many tendencies developed in childhood stick for life, such as a love of reading, an affinity for athletics, or a propensity for biting your nails. Unfortunately for Cassandra White, her childhood habits centered around bad eating habits.

Growing up, Cassandra had a relatively healthy diet, but not healthy amounts. She often overate, helping herself to double and triple portions at each meal. Worse, she routinely snacked on junk food.

Cassandra's bad eating habits worsened when she reached adulthood. Pizza, burgers, and hot rings were commonly piled on her dinner plate. Snacks consisted of chips and other greasy grabs. And her pregnancy with son CJ didn't help, adding another 60 pounds.

Cassandra was worried about her health. She had no prior complications, but knew if she continued on this path, it wouldn't be long before serious problems such as heart disease and diabetes caught up with her. Worse, taking care of CJ was wearing her out, and her self-esteem was low.

The new mom tried a number of different diets and appetite suppressants. Nothing worked. Her bad eating habits lived on. So when Cassandra celebrated her 35th birthday, she weighed 276 pounds, and keeping up with 2-year-old CJ was almost impossible.

That's when Cassandra became determined to drop the weight, get in shape, and set a good example for her son. In August 2006, she joined her local Raleigh, N.C., L A Weight Loss center, where she was paired up with her personal weight loss counselor, Rhonda.

Rhonda helped Cassandra incorporate healthier foods such as lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and water into her diet. She also taught her about the importance of portion control. Cassandra cut out most fried or fast foods and high-calorie snacks, and replaced them with grilled chicken and fish, salads, and plenty of vegetables.

Since last August, Cassandra has lost a remarkable 99 pounds! Her entire outlook on life has changed. Her appearance is no longer an issue, as she never worries about what people think when she's out in public. She loves being able to walk into any store and find a cute outfit. And last summer, Cassandra sported a bikini on the beach for the first time ever.

With her weight worries gone, Cassandra focuses on the important things in life, such as her marriage and her family. And at 177 pounds, she no longer fears the health problems that accompany obesity. Cassandra knows she's done everything she can to ensure a longer, healthier, and happier life.

Best of all, Cassandra's energy is through the roof. She exercises for 60 minutes at least six times per week, and keeping up with CJ is no longer a problem. In fact, it's not uncommon for CJ to run out of steam before Cassandra even gets tired!

Now, all of Cassandra's bad eating habits have been replaced with good ones. And lucky for CJ, his good eating habits have begun in childhood. Hopefully they'll stick with him as well as they're now sticking with his mom. Way to go, Cassandra!

Here's Cassandra at 276 pounds:



And here she is today, at a stunning 177 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Cassandra White
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Age: 41
Height: 6'1"

Starting weight: 276 pounds
Goal weight: 175 pounds
Current weight: 177 pounds
Program start date: August 2006

Favorite food: Cheese.

Biggest temptation: Buffalo wings.

Biggest motivator: Trying on new clothes and fitting into a smaller size.

Biggest obstacle: Trying to eat the right foods at the right time.

Old eating philosophy: Routinely munching on chips, buffalo wings, cheeseburgers, pizza, and cookies.

New eating philosophy: Making meals with grilled chicken and fish, salad, and green and raw vegetables.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling healthier and gaining self-confidence.

Best weight loss secret learned: Losing weight can make you feel younger and more attractive.

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!

Montana dad takes easy ride down the wedding aisle

Here's a nontraditional wedding: Escorting the bride down the aisle on a motorcycle.

That was the wish of Bill Cherpeski's daughter. But for Bill to be the escort, he had to give up one of his true loves: food.

Bill was practically born married to it. Candy, cakes, cookies, rolls, pastries -- you name it, Bill ate it. When eating out, he ordered greasy meals. And he rarely exercised. By the time he reached his senior years, Bill weighed 295 pounds.

Bill could barely take six steps up the stairs before having to pull himself up using the railing. The short walk to his garage winded him. And he had no strength to roll over in bed.

But that's just the beginning. Bill used a motorized riding cart in the grocery store. He couldn't fit into booths at restaurants, and always asked for a table. Bill's wife tied his shoes because he couldn't bend over. As if that wasn't bad enough, Bill also had diabetes and used an oxygen tank. His health was in shambles.

Bill knew he had to lose weight. He tried counting calories, but soon got bored and gave up. Then Bill's tipping point came: His daughter became engaged in February 2006, and she wanted Bill to escort her down the aisle on a motorcycle.

But with all that excess weight, there was no way Bill could get on a motorcycle, unless he dropped the pounds.

Bill walked into the L A Weight Loss center in his neighborhood, and began working with the personal weight loss counselors to cut out his high-calorie junk food. The counselors added fresh fruits and vegetables to his diet. Bill also ate grilled food instead of fried, and always measured out proper portions.

Bill listened to his L A Weight Loss counselors, and was inspired by their insight and guidance to losing weight and getting fit. His wife kept him on track by preparing healthy, homemade dishes more often.

When his daughter's wedding day arrived, it was his big moment. As planned, his daughter came down the aisle on the back of a motorcycle. At the wheel was Bill, 54 pounds lighter! He was proud of his daughter, but the 280 guests were proud of Bill!

But his success doesn't end there. Bill continued losing weight on L A Weight Loss, and now weighs 196 pounds -- 99 pounds lighter, and just 11 pounds away from his goal weight.

Bill's blood sugar is almost normal, and he's off his oxygen tank. Tasks that used to be a struggle now come easy, and he enjoys riding his bike and working in the yard.

Bill sold his old clothes, including 157 (!) 3x-sized shirts. He bought a new wardrobe, and even new shoes because his feet lost weight too!

Bill says if he hadn't joined L A Weight Loss, he wouldn't be here today. We're so happy you did, Bill! Way to go!

This is Bill before, cloaked in 295 pounds:



Here is the proud dad during his weight loss journey, escorting his daughter down the aisle on a motorcycle:



And here he is today, at a healthy 196! Great work, Bill!



FAST FACTS

Name: Bill Cherpeski
Hometown: Great Falls, Mont.
Age: 68
Height: 5'8"

Starting weight: 295 pounds
Goal weight: 185 pounds
Current weight: 196 pounds
Program start date: February 2006

Favorite food: Bakery treats.

Biggest temptation: Cinnamon rolls.

Biggest motivator: Losing weight for his daughter's wedding.

Biggest obstacle: Trying to eat healthy at restaurants.

Old eating philosophy: Cleaning his plate, and then some.

New eating philosophy: Paying attention to nutrition and portion sizes.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better and wearing new clothes.

Best weight loss secret learned: L A Weight Loss counselors help you tremendously!