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Weight Watchers(R) and Isaac Mizrahi Honor the 2007 INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST Winners

Posted on: Friday, 7 September 2007, 12:00 CDT

Weight Watchers announced today the grand-prize winners of the 2007 WEIGHT WATCHERS INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST. These eight winners will travel to New York City where they will each receive a fashion styling from world-class designer, style expert, celebrity favorite, Isaac Mizrahi. Mizrahi will offer tips and tricks and help create a stylish new look for the winners.

"I design clothes for real people and understand what a celebration it is to lose weight," says Mizrahi, "The joy of putting on a dress in a smaller size or finding jeans that make you look great -- I want to help people feel that way as a designer. I design for everyone and want to celebrate these people who deserve to look and feel great after losing weight -- and sometimes you don't always know how to dress for your new figure. I'm here to help with that."

Mr. Mizrahi is a natural fit to host the makeovers for the winners of the Inspiring Stories contest. He knows first hand about Weight Watchers since he had joined years ago with his aunt in Brooklyn, New York and has followed the Flex Plan for motivation and structure when he has wanted to lose weight and maintain it over the years. "I always joke that I'm a POINTS® values man, but with Weight Watchers it's really all about a healthy lifestyle." As a designer, he knows how important it is to want to look your absolute best and his clothing lines cater to all different sizes. Mizrahi was thrilled to offer Weight Watchers his top tips for all body types -- from pear-shaped to petite -- in all stages of weight loss (tips available online exclusively at www.WeightWatchers.com) because he's passionate about helping everyone feel confident with fashion.

"I am excited to work with these amazing people who are being recognized for their accomplishments," says Mizrahi. "I want to help them, and, through their inspirational stories, others to get ideas about looking and feeling their best no matter where they are in their weight-loss journeys. I get to pick out clothes that complement them and their successes."

Winners were selected by a team of judges from nearly 1,700 of entrants across the country, and the selection was based on a variety of factors, ranging from amount of weight lost to the magnitude and inspirational nature of their personal transformation.

The winners are: Susan of Austin, Texas (59 pounds lost); Jason of New Haven, Connecticut (97 pounds lost); Libby of Kansas City, Missouri (51 pounds lost); Melanie G. (70 pounds lost); John H. of Chicago, Illinois (47 pounds lost); Melissa of Louisville, Kentucky (103 pounds lost); Emily of Norfolk, Virginia (93 pounds lost); and Carrie of Indianapolis, Indiana (41 pounds lost).

Conducted by Weight Watchers since 1998, this annual contest recognizes some of the most inspiring journeys among Weight Watchers meetings members and online subscribers. In addition to their makeovers, the eight grand-prize winners will receive a deluxe spa day at The Townhouse Spa, and hairstyling from Institu Salon.

Weight Watchers has also selected 24 first-prize winners and 128 entrants were each awarded a second prize. Entrants were asked to submit detailed stories of positive lifestyle changes and health benefits as a result of their weight loss. All of the winners' stories feature inspiring individual triumphs, showing that victory in weight loss may translate into victory in many other aspects of life. The essays recounted the sparks of realization that led them to the Weight Watchers community and lasting results. A complete list of the eight winners of the 2007 WEIGHT WATCHERS INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST and a summary of their individual weight loss stories follows below. All of the 2007 WEIGHT WATCHERS INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST finalists' stories are featured in full on www.WeightWatchers.com/InspiringStories along with other helpful weight-loss information.

"For nearly 10 years, this contest has shown us so many inspirational stories from many of our members. We are honored to be able to help them achieve their goals," says Karen Miller-Kovach, Chief Scientific Officer, Weight Watchers International, Inc.

About Isaac Mizrahi

Fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi has been designing clothes for almost 20 years. Mizrahi has designed costumes for movies, theatre, dance and opera in collaboration with Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, Mikhail Baryshnikov and The Roundabout Theatre Company. His clothing and product lines are growing and expanding into many new categories both in couture markets and at Target. Mizrahi has also hosted his own television shows, the "The Isaac Mizrahi Show" on the Oxygen Network as well as "ISAAC," a daily show on the Style Network.

About Weight Watchers International, Inc.

Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds over 50,000 weekly meetings where members receive group support and education about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control.

2007 WEIGHT WATCHERS INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST WINNERS

Susan, 47, Austin, Texas: After battling several illnesses, Susan underwent a dramatic weight gain. For fear of putting on more pounds, she continued to smoke, refusing to listen to doctors who advised her to accept her illnesses and give up on losing weight. Eventually, she joined Weight Watchers meetings, and is now only three pounds away from goal. She also quit smoking!

Jason, 35, New Haven, Connecticut: Ironically, it was Jason's career as a health and gym teacher that drove him to Weight Watchers meetings. He wanted to be a positive role model to his students and four daughters.

Libby, 25, Kansas City, Missouri: As a brand-new mom, Libby was tired of failing at every diet she tried. She wanted to finally lose the baby weight and, most importantly, she wanted to set a healthy lifestyle example for her new daughter.

Melanie, 42, Los Angeles, California: After spinal and ankle injuries, Melanie decided it was time to take action. Witnessing her two sisters have great success with Weight Watchers first hand, she decided to join. Using Weight Watchers Online, she took her weight loss one goal and one pound at a time. Her family is her biggest supporter. Today, her health has improved and she recently learned to surf.

John, 34, Chicago, Illinois: A firefighter who was determined to break his family's cycle of heart disease and develop a healthy lifestyle for his family, John joined his Weight Watchers At Work meetings series the week before Christmas, and he actually lost weight over the holidays! Now, he coaches his 11-year-old son's baseball team and goes on daily bike rides with his 7-year-old daughter. Chasing his 4-year-old is a joy--not a physical burden.

Melissa, 42, Louisville, Kentucky: It was a stern warning from her doctor that ignited Melissa's desire to lose the weight that was causing many of her health problems. At only 42 years old, she had diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Her doctor recommended Weight Watchers, and, thanks to joining and losing weight, each of these health conditions is now under control.

Emily, 30, Norfolk, Virginia: Just one year after graduating from college, Emily weighed over 300 pounds and her social life was non-existent. Her cousin convinced her to join Weight Watchers meetings. Living in Louisiana at the beginning of her weight loss journey, her meetings closed due to Hurricane Katrina, and she was forced to stand in line for hot meals, but the devastation of the storm did not slow down her commitment. Now, her calendar is booked as she is busy with her new fiancé, Anthony, who is amazed at her dedication as they plan their wedding.

Carrie, 33, Indianapolis, Indiana: As a single mom Carrie had difficulty juggling her responsibilities -- especially when it came to her health. Carrie and her doctor were shocked when she suffered a heart attack at the young age of 32. It was at that point, she made a serious commitment to ensure her sons would not grow up without her. She joined Weight Watchers, lost 41 pounds, and now spends what little free time she has belly dancing. She also has more energy to keep up with her children and a healthy heart.

Source: Business Wire

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