Alora Gaddy wins grand prize in Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge

Alora Gaddy's life is much peachier today. She's been crowned winner of the first-ever Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge! CONGRATS, ALORA!

The competition challenged 10 Atlanta women to reach their goal weight in six months by following the L A Weight Loss program, and incorporating Controltrim into their menu plan. Controltrim is a U.S.D.A.-developed powder made of 100 percent oat bran used to replace fat in desserts, dressings, and other foods and recipes.

Alora went from 188 to 148 pounds, and size 16 to 8, to claim the grand prize: a $1,000 shopping spree for a new, slimmer wardrobe. Here she is receiving her prize:



Doesn't she look stunning? Check out her before and after photos too.

The contestants weighed in once a week at their local L A Weight Loss centers, maintained a daily diary of meals, and incorporated Controltrim into their menu plans. The contestants also met with their L A Weight Loss personal counselor three times a week for one-on-one nutritional advice, custom meal planning, and supportive counseling.

Alora had originally decided to join the L A Weight Loss program when her sister-in-law Donna joined. The two did everything together and knew they would be successful if they had each other to lean on.

The final decision to join came when Alora realized she was about to hit the 200-pound mark and could no longer play with her grandkids the way she used to.

"Alora's success shows that healthy weight loss can be as simple as following a customized meal plan that incorporates portion control and personalized counseling into your lifestyle," said Sarah Landreyou, Center Manager at L A Weight Loss and Alora Gaddy’s personal counselor throughout the challenge.

By optionally adding Controltrim to L A Weight Loss's approach to menu planning, Alora steadily lost weight at a comfortable pace, without having to sacrifice her favorite foods or make drastic lifestyle changes. She's a role model for any woman who wants to regain control over their weight and their life."

Alora Gaddy determined to nix her fast food fix

Many people have a weight limit in their mind. If they ever reach that number, they know it's time to start shedding the pounds.

For Alora Gaddy, that number is 200. And at 188, she's almost there. She owes her weight gain to years of piling extra helpings on her plat,e and hitting the fast food drive-thru. She rarely eats fruits and vegetables, and can't give up her favorite snack -- chips and salsa.

The extra weight has caused Alora's blood pressure and cholesterol to rise. She has trouble keeping up with her three grandchildren, and is frustrated when she can't find clothes that fit her.

She's tried popular diet plans, but wasn't comfortable in group counseling sessions. She quickly lost interest and fell back to her old eating habits.

Now she's determined to lose 50 pounds once and for all through the Atlanta Controltrim Weight Loss Challenge. Alora wants to gain the energy to run after her grandkids, and the good health to live a longer life.

This is Alora now, clocking in at 188. Good luck in the challenge!



FAST FACTS

Name: Alora Gaddy
Hometown: Conyers, Ga.
Age: 50
Height: 5'4"

Starting weight: 188 pounds
Goal weight: 138 pounds

Favorite food: Mexican.

Biggest temptation: Chips and salsa.

Biggest motivator: Getting encouragement from her kids.

Current eating philosophy: Loving food and eating whatever she wants.

Biggest reason for participating in the challenge: To lose weight for her health and grandchildren.

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:

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:

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:

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.

Follow Donna Gaddy's weight loss journey

Here at L A Weight Loss, we have the opportunity to meet many different people. In fact, people are often quite different the last time they walk out of our centers, than from the day they first walked in.

But it's not every day we meet someone like Donna Gaddy. Few people we've come across are more determined to lose weight than she is. Because for Donna, losing weight means regaining her health in a major way.

Years of poor eating habits resulted in serious weight gain. Each of Donna's pregnancies left her heavier than before, and none of the programs or diets she tried helped her drop the pounds. Before she knew it, Donna hit 339 pounds.

She knew if she didn't shape up, her life could be in danger. So Donna, her sister Alora, and friend Dawn joined L A Weight Loss in October, determined to shed the pounds together.

With guidance from their one-on-one weight loss counselors, and constant support from each other, the women have adjusted their diets, learned about nutrition, and are already beginning to see results.

So in honor of Donna's grit, we're taking every step of her weight loss journey with her. Every few weeks we'll post updates, pictures, and videos of her progress. We hope being there for the ups and downs of Donna's challenge will inspire you as much as Donna has inspired us!

So without further ado, here's her first video. Check it out now, because she won't look this way for long!



And here's a photo of Donna today at 339 pounds as she sets off on her own "Biggest Loser" contest:



FAST FACTS

Name: Donna Gaddy
Hometown: Stockbridge, Ga.
Age: 48
Height: 5'8"

Starting weight: 339 pounds
Goal weight: 160 pounds
Program start date: October 2007

Favorite food: Mexican.

Biggest motivator: Being unable to go places or do things because of her weight.

Biggest obstacle: Cooking a healthy meal instead of going out to eat.

Old eating philosophy: Eating out all the time.

New eating philosophy: Eating more fruits and vegetables, and less fried and fast foods.

Biggest reason for joining L A Weight Loss: To drop the weight once and for all, and get healthy.

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!