Halfway through the Atlanta Weight Loss Challenge!

We’re at the halfway mark in the Atlanta Weight Loss Controltrim Challenge, and things are really heating up. With all 10 women melting off the pounds, it’ll be a race to the finish to see who loses the most weight.

Our competitors have lost 121 pounds in three months by following the L A Weight Loss program guidelines and incorporating Controltrim -- L A Weight Loss’s new fat replacement product that can be added to baked goods, sauces, and dressings -- into their diet.

Conyers’ Alora Gaddy is still the biggest loser, shedding 22 pounds so far. Leading the pack for the second month in a row, her motivation has spiked. She is well on her way to reaching her goal of 138.

Hot on Alora’s heels are our next four losers, including Susie Powell, McDonough, down 19 pounds; Theresa Conklin, Dacula, down 18 pounds; Kari Conkle, Hampton, down 16 pounds; and Dawn Flemming, Conyers, down 15 pounds.

The women will continue to follow their L A Weight Loss programs while incorporating Controltrim into their meals. Those who meet their goal weight by May 16 will be reimbursed for the program fee, and one grand prize winner will win a $1,000 shopping spree.

Keep checking in each month to see the results of the challenge. It's getting exciting!

Here's Alora at 166 pounds, 22 pounds lighter than her starting weight two months ago:

An update from the Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge

It's been a month since the last time we checked in with our 10 Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge women, and the race is really heating up.

This month's front-runners are Alora Gaddy and Theresa Conklin. They're leading the weight-loss pack with 13 pounds apiece since the race's start.

That puts Alora's current weight at 175 pounds -- down 5 pounds from the last update. And Theresa currently weighs 171 pounds -- also down 5 pounds. Talk about neck and neck!

Then we have Susie Powell, who's close behind with a total weight loss of 12 pounds. And just two pounds behind her is Kari Conkle, now 10 pounds lighter.

Together, all 10 women have lost a total of 73 pounds. Way to go, ladies! Keep up the great work. And readers, keep checking in each month to see the results of the challenge. It's getting exciting!

Here's Alora Gaddy today, 13 pounds lighter than her starting weight two months ago:

Checking in with our Controltrim Challenge contestants

It's been a month since our 10 Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge contestants started whittling away the weight. How much have they lost? Who's leading the race? Let's find out!

After running the numbers, Susie Powell is ahead of the pack, with a nine-pound weight loss. Now at 215 pounds, she's looking forward to becoming a better role model for her daughter, and impressing her boyfriend with her new figure when he returns home from Iraq.

But Alora Gaddy is close behind, now eight pounds lighter at 180. She's already accustomed to her new eating plan, which includes healthy foods and portion control.

Also dropping eight pounds is Theresa Conklin, who was motivated to join the challenge after a discouraging shopping trip for her son's wedding. Now weighing 174, she's well on her way to looking fabulous for any special occasion!

And the total weight loss between all 10 women? Forty-five pounds! Congrats, ladies! Keep up the great work!

Remember to check back soon to see who our "biggest loser" is!

Here's a shot of Alora today, eight pounds lighter, now at 180 pounds:



And here's Theresa at 174, also minus eight pounds:

Follow 10 Atlanta women racing to lose!

Fried chicken, grits, and hush puppies are hallmarks of Southern cooking, but they aren't too kind to your figure.

And they certainly haven't been kind to these 10 Atlanta women: Alora Gaddy, Dawn Fleming, Kari Conkle, Susie Powell, Sharie Rhea, Matilda Tuma, Theresa Conklin, Tina Tucker, Thelia Stevens, and Pamela Kennard-Hil. That's why they weigh a cumulative 1,979 pounds.

Now they're determined to whittle away a total of 504 pounds for good -- but in an unusual fashion. They're participating in the first-ever Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge, sponsored by L A Weight Loss.

Starting today, these women will be on the L A Weight Loss plan, and competing against each other -- and the calendar -- to achieve their weight loss goals in six months.

The reward? Women who meet their goal weight by May 16, 2008, will be reimbursed for the program fee, and one grand prize winner will win a $1,000 new wardrobe shopping spree. (Mama needs a new pair of shoes ... or 20!)

During the challenge, the women will meet with their personal L A Weight Loss counselor three times a week to learn healthy eating habits and stay on their weight loss track. They'll also weigh-in once a week at the center, write their meals down in their daily diary, and use Controltrim in their everyday cooking.

Want to meet the women? Click here to read their stories and see their photos before they transform their bodies!

We'll be following their journeys by posting monthly updates on their progress. So be sure to check back here or bookmark this link.

Media interested in interviewing these women or learning more about the Atlanta Weight Loss Challenge can contact Jackie Zima at Jackie@GregoryFCA.com, 610-642-8253 ext. 138, or 215-534-2973 (mobile).

Good luck to all our participants! See you at the starting line!

Kari Conkle ready to help herself to a smaller size

There are many common reasons people gain weight. One we often hear at L A Weight Loss is when mothers dedicate so much of themselves to care for their families, they don't have time or energy left to care for themselves. Kari Conkle shares that story.

Kari's 17-year-old daughter Katie was named Miss Georgia Teen U.S.A. in 2005. Kari traveled often, and devoted so much effort to her daughter's care that she forgot about herself. She didn't pay attention to her diet, overloaded on carbs, and dined on comfort foods.

But now her daughter is in college, and Kari is ready to care for herself. At 188 pounds, Kari's blood pressure is higher than it should be, and her joints are sore from carrying around extra weight.

Kari tried dieting a few times, but couldn't find a program that worked for her. Then she found L A Weight Loss. Now Kari is taking her weight loss one step further by entering the Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge.

She's excited for the challenge, and thinks it will keep her motivated throughout her weight loss journey. Her goal is to get down to 148 pounds. Good luck, Kari!

Here's Kari now at 188 pounds -- but hopefully not for long!



FAST FACTS

Name: Kari Conkle
Hometown: Hampton, Ga.
Age: 44
Height: 5'7"

Starting weight: 188 pounds
Goal weight: 148 pounds

Favorite food: Peanut butter.

Biggest temptation: All the baked goods her students bring in to elementary school.

Biggest motivator: Looking at a school picture of herself that she barely recognizes.

Current eating philosophy: Eating carbs and comfort food.

Biggest reason for participating in the challenge: To take care of herself for the first time in years.