Theresa Curry wins Terre Haute Challenge in grand fashion

Congrats are in order for Theresa Curry of Terre Haute, Ind. She competed in the first-ever Terre Haute Weight Loss Challenge, and came out the biggest loser, dropping 33 pounds in six months on the L A Weight Loss plan!

Her hard work paid off big time. L A Weight Loss gave her a $1,000 spending spree, plus a luxurious makeover at Temple Spa. After her facial today, she's off to buy some new clothes for her killer size-12 body! Way to go, Theresa!

The challenge pitted six women from the Terre Haute center against one another to lose weight and get healthy in six months. They met with a personal counselor three times a week, weighed in once a week at the center, and maintained a daily diary of meals.

They also met every Wednesday night at the YMCA to work with a personal trainer for 90 minutes of cardiovascular, weight training, aquatic, and aerobic exercise.

I caught up with Theresa the other day to chat about how it feels to be the winner. She says, “I wasn't planning to win. I was in it to get myself motivated to exercise and feel healthy about myself.” She certainly accomplished her goal! Take a listen here:



And here's more about Theresa's weight loss journey:

As Theresa put on weight, she found herself shopping for bigger and bigger clothes. She reached her breaking when she hit 210 pounds and size 18. She couldn't take it any longer, and knew she didn't want to go up another size.

The weight gain also affected her health. Theresa's doctor diagnosed her with high blood pressure, and recommended diet and exercise to help bring it back down. But Theresa knew she couldn't go it alone.

She saw a sign for the Terre Haute Weight Loss Challenge, and decided to give it a go. She thought the challenge might be just the motivation she needed to drop the weight.

Theresa hit the Y three times a week, and kept track of everything she ate in her diary. Her counselor taught her portion control and how to eat her favorite foods in moderation, so she never got bored with food.

She went from 210 pounds to 177 pounds in six months, and is still losing. She's on a lower dosage of blood pressure medication, shares L A Weight Loss recipes with her friends and family, and keeps up her exercise routine.

This is Theresa before, at 210 pounds:



And this is Theresa after. Great job, Theresa!



FAST FACTS

Name: Theresa Curry
Hometown: Terre Haute, Ind.
Age: 37
Height: 5'6”

Starting weight: 210 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 177 pounds
Program start date: Sept. 29, 2006

Favorite foods: Strawberries and oranges.

Biggest temptations: Sweets and pasta.

Biggest motivators: Terre Haute Weight Loss Challenge, and her husband.

Biggest obstacle: Beating her sweet cravings.

Old eating philosophy: A lot of sweets, pasta, cheese, bread, and red meat.

New eating philosophy: More vegetables, plus fruits, turkey, fish, and chicken.

Best thing about losing weight: Feeling better about herself and having more energy to play with her kids.

Best weight loss secret learned: Everyone goes through ups and downs. Stick with it -- it pays off!