Kmart awards weight-loss contest winner
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. Kmart on Wednesday awarded Diana Tollerud from Gurnee, Ill., as the grand prize winner of its annual “New Day Your Way” contest, a program designed to help Kmart customers shed pounds and achieve their fitness goals in 2008.
“Kmart is committed to helping customers work their way to a healthier, happier lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to be honoring such dedicated individuals for their hard-earned fitness achievements while on the New Day Your Way program,” stated Bill Stewart, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Kmart.
During the 12-week contest, Kmart provided more than 24,000 customers across the United States with the tools necessary to work towards weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. The top 5 winners were chosen by the following criteria: weight lost during the contest, dramatic physical transformation in before and after photos and most inspirational essay.
After being found pinned between two vehicles from a car accident in 2003, Tollerud underwent knee surgery, which prohibited her from the running she used to enjoy and allowing extra weight to add on. However, through the guidance and motivation of the New Day Your Way program, this 44 year-old mother of three shed 38 pounds and is enjoying running again, along with the fresh, new benefits of a healthy body and mind, Kmart stated.
As the grand prize winner, Tollerud was awarded $10,000, a $1,000 Kmart gift card and gifts from contest sponsors, including a Weslo 60CT Treadmill, a makeover at John Frieda Salon provided by KAO Brands, a Bally’s Mini-Stepper, a Slim-Fast gift basket, and a $250 gift basket from L’Oreal among other prizes.
“I’m so excited about all of the weight that I’ve lost and the new sense of confidence that I’ve gained,” Tollerud stated. “I found it so easy to stick to my workout regimen with the support of other contest participants on the New Day Your Way social networking and online discussion boards and look forward to showing off the new me this summer!”
Winners Trelana Nance from Florissant, Mo., David Murphy from Galt, Calif., Billie Smith from Thomasville, N.C., and Cynthia Krusza from Lansing, Ill. also were chosen by Kmart judges as runners up for the “New Day Your Way” contest. These winners participated in bi-weekly weigh-ins at their local Kmart and submitted inspirational essays on the theme “How Kmart Has Helped To Bring Out A New You.”
The winners will receive a combined total of more than $30,000 in cash and prizes, including a trip to New York, the Fit Body Elliptical Bundle, John Frieda Brands Gift Basket and an Active Series 20 by Schwinn Recumbent Bike.
All winners will appear in future Kmart advertising, the retailer noted.