Atlanta's biggest loser of the month

There's only one month left in the Atlanta Weight Loss Controltrim Challenge, and our women have lost an astonishing 175 pounds! This month's biggest loser is Matilda Tuma, who's lost a total of 33 pounds!

Alora Gaddy is right behind Matilda, with 31 pounds down. And our other runners up this month are Susie Powell with 29 pounds lost, and Theresa Conklin with 23 pounds lost.

With only one month to go, each of our ten women has once last chance to fight to be Atlanta’s biggest loser. Tune in next month to see who pulled through and earned their prize of a $1,000 new wardrobe shopping spree!

Take a look at how great our top two losers of the month look.

Here's Matilda at her new weight of 165 pounds:



And here's the new 157-pound Alora:

Four-month update on Atlanta Weight Loss Challenge

We're four months down in the Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge, and it’s getting fiercer than ever! With only two months remaining in the challenge, our 10 participants have lost a collective 139 pounds. Our top four losers have lost over 20 pounds each.

Alora Gaddy is in the lead for the third month straight with a total of 26 pounds lost. Second runner up is Matilda Tuma, down 22 pounds. In third and fourth place are Susie Powell, down 21 pounds; and Theresa Conklin, down 21 pounds.

The six-month challenge consists of 10 women following the L A Weight Loss program guidelines and using Controltrim, L A Weight Loss's new fat replacement product that can be added to baked goods, sauces, and dressings.

Participants 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 for a new wardrobe. Stay tuned for our next post as the women get closer to the finish line and their weight loss goals.

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!

Matilda Tuma finds motivation to lower the scale

People often deny they have weight problems. Matilda Tuma denied hers for so long, she weighed 198 pounds before she realized she needed to lose weight.

Matilda gained baby weight with each of her three children. Eating unhealthy foods didn't help. Instead, she tried to control her calorie intake by eating only once a day.

Matilda thought no diet program could bring her weight back down. But Matilda joined L A Weight Loss, determined to shed 50 pounds.

Now she thinks the Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge is be the perfect way to keep her eyes on the prize (a $1,000 shopping spree and full program reimbursement), and her motivation on track.

Here's Matilda today at 198 pounds. Best of luck!



FAST FACTS

Name: Matilda Tuma
Hometown: Dallas, Ga.
Age: 37
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 198 pounds
Goal weight: 148 pounds

Favorite food: Pizza.

Biggest temptation: Pizza.

Biggest motivator: Getting encouragement from her friends.

Current eating philosophy: Eating only once a day.

Biggest reason for participating in the challenge: To gain motivation to drop the weight.