Five Local Residents Vie to be Philadelphia's Biggest 2007 'Local Loser'

Five Local Residents Vie to be Philadelphia's Biggest 2007 'Local Loser'

Friendship All Natural Cottage Cheese and NBC 10 Seek the Next Local Loser in This Year's Healthy Lifestyle Challenge

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- What do a 46-year-old massage therapist, a 35-year-old administrative assistant, a 41-year-old comedian and computer help desk analyst, a 50-year-old CT Scan tech, and a 43-year-old substitute teacher have in common? They're all contestants in "The Friendship All Natural Cottage Cheese Local Loser Contest." And, they all want to win.

Over the next eight weeks, Friendship All Natural Cottage Cheese and NBC 10's "10!" hosts Bill Henley and Lori Wilson will follow the trials and tribulations of these five contestants as they strive to change their lives for the better by learning how to eat right and adopt proper exercise techniques. To help the contestants learn and embrace good eating habits, registered dietitian, Althea Zanecosky, from the Mid Atlantic Dairy Association, will develop a customized dietary plan and educate them on healthier food choices, including Friendship All Natural Cottage Cheese, which is packed with protein and other nutrients to keep their metabolism primed and feeling full longer. To get them on track with good exercise habits, Philadelphia Sports Clubs will pair each contestant with a personal fitness trainer who will guide them through work out routines three times a week for the duration of contest.

The contestants' progress -- including personal history; diet and exercise program; updates from nutritionist and trainer plus expert blogs -- will be tracked on the "10!" web site at www.nbc10.com/10. On November 20th, the Friendship All Natural Cottage Cheese Biggest Local Loser will be announced and receive great prizes, including tickets and accommodations and a fabulous trip for two.

Five NBC 10 Viewers Decide To Change Their Lifestyle For the Better!

Kathy Stahl is a 46-year-old massage therapist from Hartsville. She is married and has two children. Weighing 215 pounds, Kathy wants to lose at least 75 pounds. For Kathy, the hardest thing about being overweight is not feeling comfortable in her own body. She loves all kinds of food, especially cookies and candy. She has tried all kinds of diet programs but none have worked for her.

Keisha Orr is a 35-year-old administrative assistant from Edgewater Park, New Jersey. She is married with two children. Weighing 199 pounds, Keisha has tried several diet programs without success. Her latest inspiration to lose 60 pounds comes as a result of her younger daughter asking her if she was having another baby. She loves desserts and wants to learn how to stop eating when she is full.

Sue Timmins (also known as Sue Kelly) is a 41-year-old professional comedian and computer help desk analyst from Philadelphia. She wants to lose about 100 of her 241 pounds so she can look and feel her best, have more energy, and live life to the fullest. Sue has tried "everything" when it comes to diets. But, with such a hectic schedule, her greatest challenge is learning how to incorporate good eating habits that are convenient instead of grabbing pizza to go.

Erick Kendall is a 50-year-old CT Scan tech from Philadelphia. The married father weighs 270 pounds and would like to drop 30 to 50 pounds. Rick feels he has already seen the best years of his life and wants to turn things around so that the second half of his life is better than the first, including being able to play ball with his son. His most embarrassing moment was not being able to bend over to tie his own shoes and he worries about possible health problems associated with being overweight.

Marcia Logan is a 43-year-old substitute teacher from Philadelphia. The married mother of two weighs 250 pounds and would like to lose 120 pounds. She has been an extra in feature films such as "Boomerang" and Malcolm X" and she describes her weight as a constant source of embarrassment. Marcia has been on "every diet imaginable" and wants to be able to shop for clothes without getting depressed about her size.

"We have such great admiration for all of the Local Loser contestants," says Paige A. Pistone, Director of Marketing of Friendship All Natural Cottage Cheese & Sour Cream. "We applaud them for their courage in undertaking this difficult challenge and for making a commitment to adopt healthy eating and exercise habits. Through their accomplishments, we hope to inspire others to also embrace a healthy lifestyle."

Last year, West Chester, Philadelphia resident Carl Steinmetz was named Delaware Valley's biggest "Local Loser" when he lost 55 pounds over eight weeks in the NBC 10 and Friendship Cottage Cheese weight loss and healthy lifestyle challenge. The 41-year-old customer service representative dropped from 415 pounds to 360 pounds, losing 13.25 percent of his total body weight, and embraced a healthy lifestyle to beat out four other competitors for the title. Today, Steinmetz has lost a total of 115 pounds and is working to break the 300 pound barrier.

"We're proud to partner with Friendship All Natural Cottage Cheese on the Local Biggest Loser Contest," said Wilson. "It was incredibly inspirational to watch last year's five finalists and ultimate winner, Carl Steinmetz, as they each got on the road to a healthier lifestyle through proper diet and exercise. We're excited to help this year's contestants do the same."

About Friendship Dairies

Founded more than 90 years ago, Friendship Dairies is a leading manufacturer of All Natural, cultured dairy products including cottage cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, and farmer cheese. Quality, freshness and superior taste are the foundation for every product that bears the Friendship name. This tradition of excellence has earned Friendship its reputation as preferred brand of choice up and down the east coast. For additional product information, recipes and special offers visit Friendship Dairies' website at www.friendshipdairies.com.

About NBC 10

NBC 10, one of 10 Owned & Operated NBC television stations, is located in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. Millions of viewers throughout Greater Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, South Jersey and Delaware tune into NBC 10 everyday for the most up-to-date news, weather, sports, consumer, health and traffic reports. NBC 10's 4PM news -- "All That & More with Tracy Davidson" is the only fully interactive news program in the region. Viewers also tune in daily to watch the "10!" show; an upbeat, one-hour lifestyle and entertainment show featuring local, national and internationally known celebrities. The program airs "live" Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. Recognized as the #1 web site (www.nbc10.com) in the top 50 markets, NBC10.com received the prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Award.

Source: Friendship Dairies

CONTACT: Laura Ward of Friendship Dairies, +1-860-573-4809,
wiggincommlaura@comcast.net

Web site: http://www.friendshipdairies.com/
http://www.nbc10.com/10
http://www.nbc10.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment