"Delmarva's Weight Loss Challenge" Wraps Up

As the “Delmarva’s Weight Loss Challenge” draws to a close, its contestants continue the battle toward a healthier weight and hope to keep doing so even as the contest ends.

After just 11 weeks, Pamela Douglas, a 27-year-old sales assistant from Fruitland, Md., is nearly a quarter of the way to her total weight loss goal. With a loss of 22 pounds, Douglas has accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time. Like the other contestants, she has great incentive to do so.

“When I lose weight, I want to be an encouragement to others who struggle with their weight,” Douglas said. “My entire family has been overweight and I want to be the one where it stops. I want to learn to live healthier so that I can teach my son while he is still young.”

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“Delmarva’s Weight Loss Challenge” offers counseling on diet and exercise to its contestants, as well as free access to Olympia Fitness Clubs’ gym for the duration of the contest, meetings with a personal trainer two or three times a week, and ongoing encouragement.
Kim Curtis, with a total weight loss of 16 percent – or 41.5 pounds, is holds first place in the competition.

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“Delmarva’s Weight Loss Challenge” is sponsored by Olympia Fitness Clubs, Healthy U, Atlantic General Hospital, ClearChannel Communications, and area merchants. The goal of the competition is to introduce a healthy lifestyle change to each participant as well as impact the lives of those around them.

The 12-week competition will end on Monday, September 17, with the final weight-ins. An awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the Visions for Total Health Conference on Saturday, November 3, when the dietitian who helped the nation’s biggest losers reach their goals on NBC’s hit reality show visits the Shore to impart her wisdom on nutrition and healthy eating.

The conference, to be held this year at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, will include free screenings, exhibits, and 12 breakout presentations on a wide range of health topics. The keynote address will be presented by Cheryl Forberg, RD, highly sought-after food expert and consulting dietitian for NBC's The Biggest Loser.

For more information about “Delmarva’s Weight Loss Challenge,” contact Cody Mackie at Olympia Fitness Clubs at 410-543-9999.

For more information about Atlantic General Hospital’s 2007 Visions for Total Health Conference or sponsorship opportunities, contact Dawn Denton, Community Education Coordinator, at 410-641-9268 or visit www.atlanticgeneral.org/visions.