Carol Faulkner slims down with wedding weight inspiration

Many brides-to-be use their upcoming weddings as motivation to slim down and get in shape. Thirty-two years after her wedding, Carol Faulkner used her wedding pictures as motivation to do just that.

Carol will be the first to admit that she wasn't taking care of herself for the past 20 years. As a teacher, she was always on her feet. By the time she got home each night, she was too tired to think about a well-balanced meal, let alone do anything active. She usually napped, then grabbed something quick and easy for dinner.

It seemed like overnight, Carol was suddenly dealing with the health issues that came with being overweight. She never had enough energy, and her blood pressure was high.

On the day of her 32nd wedding anniversary, Carol was flipping through old pictures of her wedding. She was 214 pounds, and couldn't believe how much weight she put on since her wedding day, when she fit into a size 6. Then and there she decided to get healthy.

Carol joined her local Columbus, Miss., L A Weight Loss center the very next day. She was paired up with a personal weight loss counselor, Chleo, who taught her the ins and outs of healthy eating.

Carol cut way back on her fried food and sweets intake, and increased her servings of fruits, vegetables, and fish. As a way to stay accountable for everything she ate, Carol kept a food journal. Writing down everything she ate kept her motivated and on track. Even Chleo was impressed with how meticulous Carol was with her journal.

Before she knew it, the weight started to melt away. After losing just 12 pounds, Carol's blood pressure dropped to normal levels. Her renewed health motivated her to keep losing. And a total of 92 pounds later, Carol is healthier than she's been in 20 years.

Carol's friends and family have been completely supportive during her entire weight loss process, especially her husband and daughter. Her husband is ecstatic about her progress, and her daughter loves telling her how small she is.

At 122 pounds, Carol's energy has gone way up. Instead of coming home and napping, she now goes for walks, and does yoga twice a week. Carol enjoys her new walking routine so much, she's even training to walk a marathon this year!

For Carol, the best part about losing almost 100 pounds is her improved health. But she certainly doesn't mind all the compliments on her new look either! Plus, she feels like she gets more respect from strangers when she's out in public. Way to go, Carol! You look fantastic!

Here's Carol at 214 pounds:



And here she is today, looking happier and healthier at 122 pounds:



FAST FACTS

Name: Carol Faulkner
Hometown: Vernon, Ala.
Age: 58
Height: 5'2"

Starting weight: 214 pounds
Goal weight: 125 pounds
Current weight: 122 pounds
Program start date: May 2007

Favorite food: Grilled salmon.

Biggest temptation: Homemade deserts.

Biggest motivator: Watching the scale drop every week.

Biggest obstacle: Getting past plateaus.

Old eating philosophy: Grazing all day, and eating whatever she wanted.

New eating philosophy: Eating only when she's hungry.

Best thing about losing weight: Staying healthy and her new self image.

Best weight loss secret learned: Write down what you eat because it keeps your accountable.

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!

The deal that changed Catherine Brockman's life

The phrase, "deal or no deal" might conjure the popular TV show or casinos. But for Catherine Brockman of Birmingham, Ala., it conjures weight loss and a chance at a new life.

Catherine came from a "meat and potatoes" family. They ate a lot of pasta, breads, and rice, but few vegetables. Catherine also couldn't help treating herself to candy. When she graduated high school, Catherine weighed 235 pounds, and suffered from back pain.

Throughout adulthood, she tried popular weight loss programs, but came up with excuses and cheated. She just gained back the little weight she lost.

She hit 265 pounds last year, and was ready to discuss gastric bypass surgery with her doctor. But then her parents offered her a proposition. They told her if she was willing to try L A Weight Loss instead, they would help her get started.

Her parents were already having success on the L A Weight Loss program. So with their encouragement and support, Catherine joined L A Weight Loss in May 2006. She started eating the right foods in the right portions. A few weeks later, while on vacation at Disney World, she was well-prepared, and lost seven pounds that week!

Catherine continued with L A Weight Loss, as the one-on-one counseling and accountability kept her committed to her weight loss goals. She never felt like quitting because the counselors helped her through her trouble spots.

The weight loss counselors taught her how to eat regular food while losing weight. She learned to love vegetables and salads, and soon left the carbs behind.

Her husband also motivated her. She loved his looks of admiration as the pounds melted away.

The time seemed to fly by for Catherine, and in 12 months, she lost 104 pounds with L A Weight Loss! She's now at 161 pounds, and feels like a new woman. She can play with her kids, and walks faster than they can!

She can also buy more form-fitting clothes, and loves wearing bright colors to show off her new figure. And she has no back aches!

Catherine's success has filtered through the family. Her mom is now on maintenance, and her dad is six pounds away from his goal. During the course of her program, Catherine motivated her husband, sister-in-law, niece, and two of her three children to join. Talk about a family affair!

Congrats, Catherine on your winning hand! Keep up the great work!

Here's Catherine before, at 265 pounds:



And here's the new Catherine, fabulously fit at 161! Way to go, Catherine!



FAST FACTS

Name: Catherine Brockman
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Age: 43
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 265 pounds
Goal weight: 158 pounds
Current weight: 161 pounds
Program start date: May 7, 2006

Favorite food: Green beans and sirloin steak.

Biggest temptation: Cheese and popcorn.

Biggest motivator: Getting support from her husband, and congratulations from her doctor.

Biggest obstacle: Being overconfident and thinking she doesn't have to follow the program so strictly.

Old eating philosophy: Consuming anything around.

New eating philosophy: Eating in moderation and smaller portion sizes.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling and looking great.

Best weight loss secret learned: Weigh in and talk to the counselors every three days to gain accountability.

Alabama sister scales back sibling rivalry

Sibling rivalry is a natural part of growing up. Brothers and sisters try to outdo one another in almost any way possible.

For Theresa Coplin of Trussville, Ala., sibling rivalry focused on weight. Her sister was slender her whole life, but the same couldn't be said of Theresa.

She struggled with weight since she got married at age 19. She didn't eat correctly or exercise much. She often fried her foods, and opted for starches and red meat instead of fresh fruit or vegetables.

The pounds piled on. Theresa quickly became fatigued after short walks. Her blood pressure and cholesterol were high, and her doctor put her on three medications to correct them. She also got lower back pain from standing too long, and snored at night.

Theresa lost the energy and enthusiasm to go out and socialize. Instead, she curled up on the couch at the end of the day and watched TV. Meanwhile, her sister remained thin. Theresa knew that if she focused and tried hard, she could look like her sister too.

When she reached 218 pounds, Theresa knew if she didn't do something about her weight, the pounds would continue to add up. She decided to turn to L A Weight Loss, which was located in the same shopping center as her office.

She signed up one day after work, and starting changing her eating habits with the help of the personal weight loss counselors and nutrition experts. Theresa learned how to eat a balanced diet of proteins, starches, dairy, fruits, and vegetables -- and enjoy the once-hated green beans! She also started grilling or baking food, instead of frying it.

During her weight loss, Theresa was able to stick with the L A Weight Loss plan because she could eat healthy foods she liked, and talk to her counselor one-on-one for personal guidance and motivation. Her doctor also encouraged her to stay on the plan.

Now, Theresa weighs 138 pounds -- the same as her sister! Her family is very proud of her, and she receives a lot of compliments on her new figure. Theresa's medical conditions have improved too, and she takes only one medication for high blood pressure -- a thrill for her doctor!

Theresa can also run and walk farther without getting out of breath. She wears more flattering clothes, and will soon be ready to flaunt her new body in a swimsuit. She continues to eat according to lessons learned at L A Weight Loss to keep the weight off.

Theresa knows she'll live a longer, healthier life now that her weight is under control. She says she wishes every overweight person would do what she did because they'd be much happier and healthier.

No truer words were spoken, Theresa! Great job!!

This is Theresa before, at 218 pounds:



And here's the new Theresa, looking fabulous at 138! Way to go, Theresa!



FAST FACTS

Name: Theresa Coplin
Hometown: Trussville, Ala.
Age: 54
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 218 pounds
Goal weight: 138 pounds
Current weight: 138 pounds
Program start date: May 18, 2006

Favorite food: Bread.

Biggest temptation: Chocolate and peanut butter.

Biggest motivator: Seeing how thin her sister was, and wanting to get off medications.

Biggest obstacle: Eating too many starches and sweets.

Old eating philosophy: Munching all the time, whether she was hungry or not.

New eating philosophy: Eating smaller meals six times a day.

Best thing about losing weight: Receiving lots of compliments on how good she looks.

Best weight loss secret learned: Grill and bake instead of frying food.

Weight Loss 145: One college student's crash course in shedding pounds

Often, college life means saying goodbye to good ol' home cookin', and saying hello to less-than-healthy dining hall food. But what happens when the convenience of grabbing a burger becomes routine, and cooking a well-balanced meal becomes rare?

Like most people in this situation, Paige Morgan gained weight. As a full-time college student, and a hostess working close to 30 hours per week, Paige regularly found herself dining on fast food in her school's cafeteria.

When her weight tipped the scales at 308 pounds, Paige knew it was time to do something about it. She took a semester off from school to get her weight on track.

In September 2005, Paige joined her local L A Weight Loss center in Rainbow, Ala., with her grandmother, who was determined to do everything she could to support Paige in her weight-loss challenge -- even if it meant losing weight herself.

Paige had tried other weight loss programs before, but nothing worked. She needed the face-to-face support that she could only find at L A Weight Loss -- and it worked wonders!

With constant encouragement, Paige's personal L A Weight Loss counselors helped her overcome eating temptations and challenges. They also helped her adapt her diet to include healthy meals and lots of fish, and taught her the effectiveness of portion control.

Less than two years after joining L A Weight Loss, Paige weighs nearly half her size! At 163 pounds, she now enjoys the life of a 23-year-old with gusto.

She is happier, has more confidence, and constantly discovers new things about herself. One such revelation: a love for cooking, which has inspired Paige to enroll in culinary school.

And thanks to the determination she learned through her experience with L A Weight Loss, Paige feels she can accomplish anything! You're cooking with gas now, Paige -- way to go!

Here's Paige at a hefty 308 pounds:



Here she is 145 pounds lighter, ready to light up the stoves at culinary school!



FAST FACTS

Name: Paige Morgan
Hometown: Southside, Ala.
Age: 23

Starting weight: 308 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 163 pounds
Program start date: September 2005

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: School cafeteria food.

Biggest motivator: Her grandmother, who lost weight with her on the program.

Biggest obstacle: Hanging out with her thin classmates.

Old eating philosophy: Dining on pizza and hamburgers in her school cafeteria.

New eating philosophy: Eating healthy frozen meals and seafood.

Best thing about losing weight: Inspiring a friend to lose weight on the program.

Best weight loss secret learned: You can still eat some of your favorite foods while losing weight!

Michelle McCoy turns a mountain into a molehill

Michelle McCoy of Gadsden, Ala., almost saw her life flash before her eyes two summers ago. She was on vacation in the Smoky Mountains, and began to hike up the daunting Clingman's Dome. Navigating the tough terrain proved treacherous for Michelle. The reason? She weighed 221 pounds.

Michelle literally felt like she was going to have a heart attack and die that day. With high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux disease, and chronic swelling in her legs, Michelle was in no shape to hike mountains. Rather, it was time to march straight into her local Rainbow City L A Weight Loss center.

Michelle's counselor helped her become more conscious of what she was putting in her body. She nixed the hamburgers, junk food, and anything else that was high-fat and high-carb from her diet. No longer swinging by the fast-food joint for breakfast and lunch, she started eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and drinking more water.

Although Michelle encountered a few trouble spots along the way, she always remembered that frightening day in the Smoky Mountains, and was determined never to reach that dark point again. She kept up with the L A Weight Loss plan, and lost 67 pounds. She's now at 154 pounds!

Even better, Michelle's blood pressure, cholesterol, acid reflux, and swelling are all down. She also loves to garden, and is less stressed about life. She's even taken on remodeling her home!

Michelle's relationship with her husband is much better now, too. She says she feels comfortable in clothes or out of clothes. ;)

And Smoky Mountain? Piece of cake, she says. She believes she can definitely conquer it now, toute suite!

This is Michelle before, at 221 pounds:



Here's Michelle after, at 154 pounds! Amazing job, Michelle!



FAST FACTS

Name: Michelle McCoy
Hometown: Gadsden, Ala.
Age: 47
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 221 pounds
Goal weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 154 pounds
Program start date: October 2005

Favorite foods: Peanut butter and celery.

Biggest temptation: French fries.

Biggest motivator: Getting healthy and avoiding heart problems.

Biggest obstacle: Having self control with the program.

Old eating philosophy: Grabbing anything that was fast and easy.

New eating philosophy: Eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, plus drinking only water, and watching her portions.

Best thing about losing weight: Watching her blood pressure, cholesterol, acid reflux, and swelling in her legs go down.

Best weight loss secret learned: Don't give up, even if you make mistakes sometimes. You can definitely do it!

Grandmother gains the energy of a toddler

Kitty Fendley spends her life making people healthier as a nurse in Alabama. But when her weight ballooned to 381 pounds, it was Kitty who needed to get healthier -- and fast.

She had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, couldn't move around easily, and struggled to sit in chairs and the car.

But the worst part was when her youngest daughter had her first child. It broke Kitty's heart that she couldn't keep up with her new grandson. Kitty considered gastric bypass surgery, but it just wasn't for her.

She tried Weight Watchers, where she lost some weight, but gained it back. Slim Fast didn't work for her, and the grapefruit diet failed, too. Finally Kitty opted for L A Weight Loss to help her renew her life.

Two years after joining L A Weight Loss, Kitty is down to 198 pounds -- almost half her size! Seeing how successful she's been, Kitty wants to keep going and lose another 20 to 25 pounds.

Kitty no longer has high blood pressure or sleep apnea. Even though she lost a lot of weight, she doesn't have any loose skin, which she owes to her steady rate of weight loss.

Her energy level has skyrocketed, and now her grandson is trying to keep up with her! But Kitty's success doesn't end there. Her niece and a few of her coworkers are also on L A Weight Loss now, well on their way to a healthy, new figure!

Here's Kitty before, at 381 pounds, with her grandson:



Here's Kitty now, at 198 pounds. WOW! Congrats, Kitty!



FAST FACTS:

Name: Kitty Fendley
Hometown: Butler, Ala.
Age: 57

Starting weight: 381 pounds
Goal weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 198 pounds
Program start date: Dec. 13, 2004

Biggest motivator: One-on-one counseling.

Old eating philosophy: Not caring about nutrition or portion sizes.

New eating philosophy: Religiously following counselor's tips and eating guidance.

Best thing about of losing weight: Being physically active, and getting complimented on her good looks.

Best weight loss secret learned: Drink lots of water!