Weight Watchers(R) will announce the finalists of the
2006 WEIGHT WATCHERS INSPIRING STORIESOF THE YEAR CONTEST
during a luncheon held at Washington, DC landmark
National Museum of Women in the Arts on September 18. Sarah Ferguson,
Duchess of York, will honor some of the unique weight-loss success stories
among its members and subscribers. The finalists are selected from
thousands of entrants across the country by a team of judges based on a
variety of factors, ranging from amount of weight lost to the inspirational
nature of their personal transformation. Local inspiring guest Susan
Molinari, Chairman & CEO of The Washington Group, will also be on hand to
share personal remarks.
"From my own experience, I know that weight loss is challenging," says
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. "I applaud everyone who shared their
stories and I'm proud to help recognize such extraordinary people with
different backgrounds and weight-loss goals to encourage others in their
journey toward a healthier lifestyle."
Since 1997, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been a media
spokesperson for Weight Watchers, inspiring people to take control of their
weight. Today, a fit and trim Duchess of York, a Weight Watchers Lifetime
Member herself, credits her relationship with Weight Watchers as one that
changed her life.
"Being a member of Weight Watchers is about much more than just losing
weight," states Shannan Hutchinson, one of the eight finalists to be
honored. "I've dropped pounds but what I've gained in better health and
energy has changed my life dramatically." Shannan was diagnosed and
paralyzed from MS when she was 25 but has learned to walk again. In an
effort to regain self- confidence, she joined Weight Watchers. "I've gone
from 250 pounds to 178 pounds, all while continuing chemotherapy and
steroids. I've learned that I can't control my disease, but I can control
my weight. I finally feel like an attractive woman again and I realize I am
beautiful inside and out. I am whole again at 29 and have not used a cane
or wheelchair in months. Dreams can be in reach when hope feels lost -- I
am the testimony."
"At Weight Watchers, we celebrate the success of each of our members
and subscribers," says Linda Huett, CEO and President, Weight Watchers
International. "This annual contest allows us to honor those members and
subscribers who want to share their personal stories with others."
In order to motivate others to live a healthy lifestyle, Weight
Watchers annual "Inspiring Stories of the Year" contest encourages members
and subscribers to celebrate their achievements and share their personal
success stories. Entrants were asked to capture their weight-loss journey
in fewer than 150 words, describing the positive changes and health
benefits experienced as a result of weight loss, along with details about
what kept them on track. All of the winners' stories feature inspiring
individual triumphs, proving that victory in weight-loss translates into
victory in many other aspects of a person's life. From Tara Harvey's
depressing vacation photos to Anita Bishop getting stuck behind a car
steering wheel, their stories capture a variety of "A-ha!" moments -- the
turning points that led them to realize it was time to take action and lose
weight for good.
Each finalist has his or her own individual story, but all share a
common theme -- through Weight Watchers they learned about healthy
nutrition and got the confidence to make it happen. Weight Watchers message
boards are full of remarkable stories that illustrate the ways the plan
opens a new world for its members and subscribers. Whether it's
encouragement for new mothers in the 'Calling All Moms' board with
suggestions on how to lose that pregnancy weight, or bonding on the 'Guys
on a Diet' board with men helping one another through weight-loss
challenges, or support in maintaining goal weight on the 'Lifetimers' board
-- the Weight Watchers community helps one another to live their lives
healthier, happier and more confidently.
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