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Winners of the 2006 WEIGHT WATCHERS(R) INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST & Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Motivate Chicagoans With Moving Accounts of Their Weight-Loss Transformations

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 September 2006, 09:00 CDT

CHICAGO, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Weight Watchers(R) will recognize the eight regional finalists of the 2006 WEIGHT WATCHERS INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST and 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. The regional grand prize winner will be announced by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, during a luncheon held at Chicago landmark Harold Washington Library Center on September 13. Chicago based author of New York Times bestseller Changing Faces, Kimberla Lawson Roby, 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 Chicagoan Charley Aldridge, 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." Charley Aldridge moved to Chicago from Florida armed with nothing more than a new suit, a portfolio of art work and $1000 in graduation cash. Foolishly spending the better part of two years attempting to break into advertising, it wasn't until a friend's wedding that he realized why he had so miserably failed. Every moment of their special day (and his life) was selfishly focused on his weight. "My brother's wedding was in a year, and I would not make this mistake again. I knew that somewhere inside me was something greater. Three months later, I joined Weight Watchers. 14 months later and 94.8 pounds lighter, I believed in myself enough to land a job at a large advertising agency and confidently walked down the aisle at my brother's amazing wedding."

"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 Brenda Ziehl's "divine intervention" at work with a chair collapsing underneath her during a staff meeting to Jeannie Dehmer's desire not to be a "fat mommy," 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.

The grand prize winners' stories will be featured on http://www.weightwatchers.com/inspiringstories on September 21st along with other helpful weight-loss information.

Luncheons with The Duchess to honor eight finalists per region will also be held in Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. During each of the local events, a finalist will be named as one of four national grand prize winners. Grand prize winners are rewarded with a trip to New York City; a deluxe beauty makeover courtesy of Bliss Spa and Salon AKS; share their personal story with Weight Watchers Magazine, tickets to a Broadway show; and lunch with fellow Weight Watchers member Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, which will take place at Tavern on the Green.

About Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers is America's trusted name in weight loss and the global leader in weight-loss services, with approximately 48,000 weekly meetings in 30 countries. The mission of Weight Watchers is to help people reach and maintain a healthy weight. At the heart of Weight Watchers are weekly meetings that provide the coaching and tools to help people make the positive changes required to lose weight and keep it off. Weight Watchers also offers Internet subscription products for people wanting access to interactive weight management resources over the Internet. To learn more about Weight Watchers services, products and publications, visit WeightWatchers.com. To find the nearest Weight Watchers meeting location, call 1-800-651-6000 or click on the "Find a Meeting" link at the top of our homepage, http://www.weightwatchers.com/.

About 2006 WEIGHT WATCHERS INSPIRING STORIES OF THE YEAR CONTEST

The contest, conducted by Weight Watchers since 1998, spotlights the most inspirational and incredible weight-loss success stories among its members and subscribers. Four grand-prize winners, 32 first-prize winners, and 128 second-prize winners are chosen throughout the country. Winners are selected by a team of impartial judges based on a variety of factors, ranging from amount of weight lost to the magnitude and inspirational nature of the personal transformation.

* The luncheon is not open to the public.

Weight Watchers

CONTACT: Kristi Widmar of Weight Watchers, +1-913-495-1441,widmark@weight-watchers.com; or Suzanne Lyons of Ketchum, +1-646-935-3955,suzanne.lyons@ketchum.com

Web site: http://www.weightwatchers.com/http://www.weightwatchers.com/inspiringstories

Source: PRNewswire

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