Weight-loss Challenge Continues Today in USA TODAY and on USATODAY.com

Weight-loss Challenge Continues Today in USA TODAY and on USATODAY.com

Weekly Television Episodes Appear on WE tv

MCLEAN, Va., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2006 USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge continues today highlighting dieter Jeff Rush, a 50 year-old elementary school physical education teacher from Greenwood, S.C.

Rush's weight-loss goal at the beginning of the challenge was 32 pounds. He nearly doubled his goal with a weight loss of more than 60 pounds over three months. He lost weight by walking on the treadmill almost daily and following the South Beach diet, a program rich in fish and vegetables. In February, Rush weighed more than 400 pounds. Now, his goal is to reach 250 pounds and stay there.

The USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge appears each Monday through July 31 in the newspaper and online at USATODAY.com as well as on WE tv. In reporting the experiences of the participants, USA TODAY follows six dieters over seven weeks and reports on their progress toward meeting weight-loss goals.

One dieter each week is profiled. Reports look at the challenges, successes and setbacks along the journey of each dieter. Dieters had three month weight-loss goals ranging from 15 to 32 pounds. Six people who had lost weight recently in the past year, but had hit a plateau were chosen to participate in the USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge. The six dieters were selected by a panel of nutrition and fitness experts who reviewed videos submitted by dieters.

The dieters spent their first weekend of the Weight-Loss Challenge at the Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah, jump-starting their weight loss. Each dieter arrived at the spa with a support person -- a family member or friend - - who helped the dieter stay on track. Additionally, dieters received guidance from weight-loss and fitness professionals throughout the challenge. After the spa visit, the participants returned home with diet and exercise programs tailored to meet their needs.

The dieters then spent their last weekend together at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tucson, Ariz., where they weighed in for the last time. The Weight-Loss Challenge will appear in the newspaper and online every Monday through July 31. On the web, go to dietchallenge.usatoday.com for more information about the dieters, great recipes from their eating plans and for the tools to start your own weight-loss challenge.

USA TODAY LIVE, the television division of the nation's newspaper, announced in February that it would bring the USA TODAY Weight-Loss Challenge to television audiences via a partnership with WE tv. USA TODAY LIVE produced eight television episodes in high definition. Each Monday's USA TODAY article highlighting an individual participant will coincide with that day's television episode. The one-hour wrap-up television finale will announce all the weight-loss results. Tonight's episode airs on WE tv at 10 p.m. ET. Check local listings for details.

About WE tv

WE tv is the only cable network dedicated to helping women connect to one another and the world around them. With quality original programming including the hit series "Bridezillas," unique movie packages like "Three Men and A Chick Flick," topical specials and its public affairs initiative WE Empowers Women, the network supports women and appeals to their interests in pop culture, relationships and personal style. WE tv is a subsidiary of Rainbow Entertainment Services and is currently seen in over 59 million homes.

About USA TODAY

USA TODAY is the nation's top-selling newspaper. It is published via satellite at 36 locations in the USA and four sites abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI). Included in the USA TODAY brand are USATODAY.com, an award-winning news and information site on the Internet; USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a weekly magazine for baseball, professional football and NASCAR enthusiasts; and USA TODAY LIVE, the television arm of the USA TODAY brand that brings the spirit and quality of the newspaper to television.

Source: USA TODAY

CONTACT: Steve Anderson, Director, Communications, +1-703-854-5872,
sanderson@usatoday.com, or Heidi Zimmerman, Manager, Media Relations,
+1-703-854-5304, hzimmerman@usatoday.com, both of USA TODAY

Web site: http://www.usatoday.com/

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