Oklahoma Woman Inspires with Weight Loss

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma often makes national news for its high obesity rate, but now a metro woman is in the spotlight for losing 102 pounds over the course of a year.

Being featured in a national magazine and the subject of article is still a surprise for Amber England. She once tipped the scales at 247 pounds but she lost that weight with a little effort and inspiration from a nationally-known fitness expert.

"I had been doing the weight loss stuff on my own for awhile and it just felt a little, like I was about to hit a plateau," said Amber England, who lost 102 pounds within a year.

Amber's frustration led her online and eventually to noted fitness trainer Jillian Michaels. She entered an essay contest on Jillian's Web site and won. The grand prize was a training session that quickly got Amber back on track.

"She totally like threw down on me in a gym and beat me up and went after me and I survived it," England said.

She not only survived, England thrived, continuing her workouts at home with trainer Landon Dean.

"She's a beast man, I'll be honest. She's a beast. She works hard which is what you want as a trainer," said trainer Landon Dean.

The hard work paid off. This month, Amber England is featured in First for Women magazine alongside Jillian, who she now counts as a personal friend.

"She's more than willing to answer any question I have about nutrition and fitness," said England.

Amber is getting the word out as well. She's written articles on nutrition and healthy diet made of farmer's market findings.

"I buy my vegetables. I buy any of my meats and dairy, free-range eggs, grass-fed beef," England said.

It's the combination of fitness and proper food that Amber hopes will help her maintain her weight, while inspiring others like Jillian inspired her. Amber said she works out about four hours a week.

"I want to convey the message that it's really important to be healthy in every sense of the world," England said.