The Weight Is Over: Five Winners Lose 194 Pounds as Kmart Encourages 24,000 Americans to Achieve Healthier Lifestyle
Diana Tollerud Wins the Kmart 'New Day Your Way' Contest and More than $10,000 in Cash and Prizes
Kmart announced today that Diana Tollerud from Gurnee, Ill., is the grand prize winner of the annual "New Day Your Way" contest, which is part of Kmart's commitment to helping customers shed those extra pounds and achieve their fitness goals in 2008. During the 12-week contest, Kmart provided more than 24,000 Americans 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, Diana 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.
Diana has been recognized for her amazing transformation and will receive $10,000 in cash, a $1,000 Kmart gift card and gifts from contest sponsors, such as a Weslo 60CT Treadmill, a makeover at John Frieda Salon provided by KAO Brands, a Bally's Mini-Stepper, a Slim-Fast gift basket, $250 gift basket from L'Oreal, and much more! She will also appear in future Kmart New Day Your Way advertising.
"I'm so excited about all of the weight that I've lost and the new sense of confidence that I've gained," said Diana. "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 City, the Fit Body Elliptical Bundle, John Frieda Brands Gift Basket, Active Series 20 by Schwinn Recumbent Bike, and will appear in future Kmart advertising.
"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," said Bill Stewart, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Kmart.
To arrange an interview with any of the New Day Your Way contestant winners, please contact Chelsea Moreno or Kirsten Whipple (information above).
About Kmart
Kmart, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a mass merchandising company that offers customers quality products through a portfolio of exclusive brands that include Jaclyn Smith, Joe Boxer, Martha Stewart Everyday and Route 66. For more information visit the company's website at or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at .
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SOURCE: Kmart
CONTACT: Chelsea Moreno of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, +1-212-367-6825,
chelsea.moreno@eurorscg.com, for Kmart; or Kirsten Whipple of Sears Holdings,
+1-847-286-3037, kwhippl@searshc.com
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