Passing the Torch Lit by Anna Nicole Smith

Inspired by Anna Nicole Smith, participants in TRIMSPA's Million Dollar Challenge gathered this week in Nassau, Bahamas for the final weight loss reveal that would reward a dozen "losers" with an opportunity to become a face of TRIMSPA. The 50 finalists lost a combined grand total of 2,551 pounds throughout the Challenge. Named yesterday, at an Oscar-style gala, were 10 Category Champions, 2 Grand Champions, the Most Inspirational Essay, and Best Video Journal of TRIMSPA's year long Challenge - officially marking the "passing of the torch that Anna lit more than 3 years ago."

Nassau, Bahamas/Whippany, NJ (PRWeb) February 23, 2007 -- Inspired by Anna Nicole Smith, participants in TRIMSPA's Million Dollar Challenge gathered this week at Breezes Bahamas in Nassau, Bahamas for the final weight loss reveal that would reward a dozen "losers" with an opportunity to become a face of TRIMSPA. The 50 finalists lost a combined grand total of 2,551 pounds throughout the Challenge. Named yesterday, at an Oscar-style gala, were 10 Category Champions, 2 Grand Champions, the Most Inspirational Essay, and Best Video Journal of TRIMSPA's year long Challenge - officially marking the "passing of the torch that Anna lit more than 3 years ago."

The five female category champions named at the event include Cassie Tebo of Menominee, Michigan, Amanda Sedlacek of Marshalltown, Iowa, Salina Rush of Loudonville, Ohio, Marla Hayes of Vermilion, Ohio, and Rachel Arnold of Kingstree, South Carolina. The five male category champions named were Thomas Hunsecker of Haysville, Kansas, Mark Balla of Nescopeck, Pennsylvania, Anthony Aldana of LaPorte, Indiana, Dale Bramall of Citrus Springs, Florida, and Arthur "Bud" Johnson of Grand Island, New York.

Taking Grand Champion titles were Cassie Tebo, the 23-year old married mother of 2 who went from 195 pounds to 157 pounds, and Dale Bramall, a married Postal Clerk and father of three who started the Challenge weighing 278 pounds and weighed in at 196 pounds the morning of the Challenge finals. Said Tebo of the late Anna Nicole Smith, "She was a huge inspiration to me and thousands of people. She represented strength and beauty and marched to the beat of her own drum - even if it wasn't popular. I respected her."

The Most Inspirational Essay in the Challenge, submitted by Eugenio Martinez, a married 33-year old elementary teacher and father of one from Pharr, Texas, brought participants to a standing ovation after its reading. "Thank you so very much [TRIMSPA for literally saving my life…Proud of being Hispanic, my culture has molded me with many good attributes especially with working hard for what you want and choosing the right paths to live prosperously. Unfortunately, my culture's delectable dishes didn't come with 2 important warning labels: Make sure to eat in moderation…and foods can be made healthier using the right ingredients…" Martinez, who weighed 358 pounds when starting the Challenge, was an insulin-dependent diabetic who also suffered from high blood pressure. From Martinez' 75 pound weight loss, using TRIMSPA X32, diet and exercise, he is no longer dependent on the once required daily medicines.

In addition to being named a category champion, Marla Hayes was recognized with submitting the Best Video Journal. Hayes, a 44-year old make-up technician with two adult children, chronicled her weight loss journey with a focus on the scales - moving from 195 pounds to 160 pounds over the course of the Challenge. In Nassau, Marla weighed in at 138 pounds.

Alex Goen, CEO and founder of TRIMSPA, closed the ceremony with a reminder to the participants that all are winners.

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