$10,000 QUICK WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE
SEE THE 2008 GRAND PRIZE WINNER & RUNNERS-UP
Quick Weight Loss Centers has revealed the winners of the 2008 $10,000 Weight Loss Challenge. Gretchen Hernandez, of Lauderhill, Florida, is the Grand Prize winner! Gretchen impressed the judges with her impressive physical transformation, as well as her inspirational weight loss story.
The winners of the Quick Weight Loss Challenge were selected from a group of 25 finalists. Pictures of the finalists, along with their weight loss stories, can be viewed below. Together, the 25 $10,000 Weight Loss Challenge finalists lost over 1300 pounds!
Entrants in the Quick Weight Loss Centers $10,000 Weight Loss Challenge were asked to submit before and after weight loss photos, as well as a weight loss testimonial describing their experience with Quick Weight Loss Centers and how their weight loss changed their life.

Grand Prize Winner - $10,000 Prize
"Not only have I met my goal, but I've surpassed it, by eating real food from the grocery store. Since I'm a dessert lover, I was worried I would be missing out on my sweets, but they've thought of everything. The protein supplements are awesome! Like eating a candy bar, or eating "real" chocolate pudding, or chocolate shake. They're all wonderful! I have more energy; I love to workout, and walk my dogs. We even run sometimes, and I don't get out of breath or tired! The support by "the girls" at the Center is priceless. They get to know you, they listen to you, and they help you plan your day, if you need it."
First Runner-Up - $2,000 Prize
""She's very pretty but... she can really sing but... she's just not good enough." Those were statements that became a part of my everyday life once I packed on the pounds. And who am I? I'm MarQuetta Brantley, a 24 yr old aspiring R&B singer struggling to make it in the entertainment business. I realize now, after going through pregnancy at a young age, that dealing with having a baby was not the hardest part. The hardest part was dealing with the sudden taunting of my peers and siblings and people looking down on me because I was no longer a size 7. Over time 7 yrs had gone by and I still hadn't lost the baby weight."
Second Runner-Up - $1,000 Prize
"From day one I felt different than I had on any other program. The food plan was so healthy and easy to follow even with a lifestyle that includes a lot of eating out and travel. I was never hungry and all of my crazy cravings are gone. The staff members at Quick Weight Loss are the best coaches and cheerleaders you could ever ask for. They got me though some very tough losses in my family with none of my past 'pity party' eating binges. They are always there for you. This program gave me back a part of myself I had given up on."
Third Runner-Up - $500 Prize
"Coming to Quick Weight Loss has allowed me to now fulfill my dream of becoming a soldier in the US Army. Before I started this program I was 343 pounds and I am now a healthy 227 pounds. This is where I should have been my whole life. With the knowledge I now have about weight loss, due to Quick Weight Loss, this is a reality. I now have the energy that I had back in my 20's and the body to go with it. With this new body I am able to exercise as well as run 4-6 miles per day. On the Quick Weight Loss plan I had enough energy to do these things without being tired or hungry, in fact I found that my chocolate craving was satisfied with the protein bars."
"I gained about 40 pounds. after having my daughter. I was unhappy with myself and the way I looked. It was almost impossible to find clothing that I liked and looked stylish in my size. At that time I was up to a size 16. I would avoid going to social functions because of this. I started Quick Weight Loss in January 2008 with a goal of 60 pounds. At that time I weighed 190 pounds. I figured I had nothing to lose but the weight. I was hooked after the first week. I lost 5 pounds. and continued to gradually shrink throughout the program. Every week I looked forward to getting on the scale which I used to avoid."
"After visiting the Quick Weight Loss Center, I decided I would have the full support of a staff that wanted this weight loss as much as I did. At 195 pounds, I am now 75 pounds lighter than I was 20 weeks ago! I am more physical. I can now play with my children. It's been 15 years since I have jumped on a trampoline. I have forgotten how much fun it was. I've gone from a blood pressure of 150's over high 90's to 120's over 70's. I can now live longer to enjoy my daughters. I learned not only how to be lighter in weight, but healthier in my lifestyle."
Fourth Runner-Up - $100 Prize
"I was looking to qualify for weight loss surgery, I had gone to the seminars and did my research. When we returned home I went to deliver a thank you gift to an old neighbor and when she came to the door I couldn't believe my eyes, I said what happened to you, you look wonderful! I will never forget her words; I visited Quick Weight Loss Center. They tell you at the seminar you will need to change your eating habits and go on a special diet after the surgery. I figured if I have to change my eating habits and go on a special diet anyway, I might as well take the safe, less costly approach to weight loss."
"I tried every diet I heard of and as time wore on I got more and more disappointed. Many times I would lose weight and feel great only to have it come back and each time more than when I first started. As a mother of three it was very hard for me to see my children run around and have fun and know that I wasn't able to keep up with them; being over weight and a smoker put too much strain on my body. A day at the park was a nightmare for me. When we went to the beach or a pool, I was very embarrassed to put a bathing suit on. Even though I was never obese, in my eyes I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a fat person starring back at me."
"After three years of unsuccessful treatments, including two rounds of chemotherapy, a relapse of my son's blood disorder and two miscarriages, I officially checked out of who I was. I dealt with everything by way of food. What's wrong with eating Cheetos for breakfast if I'm not going to be around a couple of years anyway? So my size 6 body turned into a size 14 without me even realizing what I was doing to myself. My pity party ended when my son asked me why I never played with him any more and why he couldn't start his day with chocolate like mommy. It was time to check back in to my life."
"It's kind of funny how I had to literally lose myself to find myself again. Shedding the extra weight gave me back the self-confidence I had stuffed deep down inside. I know now after being on this weight loss journey that I will never be overweight again. I feel that I can do just about anything I set my mind to now. QWLC has given me the power of knowledge about what kind of role food should have in my life. I used to think food was my enemy, but I know now it's really about the choices you make when you eat. QWLC not only educated me about healthy eating, the counselors helped me save my life."
""Jessie, I'm going to need you around to help me get through this, promise me you will begin to take better care of yourself." Just days after my mother's 60th birthday we received the sobering diagnosis of Cancer. Suddenly, mortality smacked me in the face! My entire life with her flashed before my eyes. Many of my life's milestones had not even happened yet and I really wanted her to be there! Fortunately, I still had time. Mom's unexpected health crisis forced me to accept the reality of my own. Despite warnings from my doctor, I had ballooned up to nearly 160 pounds and 34% body fat."
"One of my most inspirational and motivating moments came when walking with my oldest son. I mentioned that my sister, his aunt, was contemplating starting the same diet program as me. She had been inspired by my success. My son's response, without hesitation, was "That's great mom, now you and Aunt Jackie can live longer and be around to see my children and grandchildren grow up". Even before that comment, which cemented any other reasons into one clarifying moment - I had many, many reasons to get my weight and my health under control. However, not until I discovered the Quick Weight Loss program did I feel equipped to do what needed to be done."
"Going shopping and other normal day to day activities was no fun as I was miserable about my body. I was embarrassed about my weight. My self esteem was very low and I didn't want to go out anywhere at all not even with friends. Joining Quick Weight Loss changed all that. I started introducing fruits and vegetables into my diet along with A LOT of water. I began liking new and different foods that I didn't like before that are actually good for me. I began really taking good care of my body. I lost 48 pounds in 20 weeks! After reaching my goal weight 130, I proceeded to lose another 15 pounds and now I got my old body back at 115 pounds."
Finalists
"The results have been amazing! Just the health benefits are tremendous. I was once told by a doctor that if I didn't get my weight under control I wouldn't live to be 45. Well fortunately his prediction did not come true because I'll turn 49 this August. I had a physical this year and my cholesterol level has gone from 280 (before QWLC) to 200 (after). Acid reflux is another major health issue that had plagued me for years. There were many nights of being awakened because I was choking. The burning sensation in my throat is something I will never forget. I am extremely happy to say that I have not had one episode since beginning QWLC - NOT EVEN ONCE!!!!"
"We have a floor length mirror in the office where I work, I would go out of my way to avoid walking past the mirror. About 1-2 months into the program I walked past the mirror and caught myself checking out my own butt! My self-esteem is so much better! I no longer cringe when someone aims a camera in my direction. I visited my parents in New York 2 weeks ago. It was the first they had seen me since Christmas. I had to wave at them before they realized it was me! They were so shocked and surprised! I was on vacation for over a week and I still lost 3 pounds! This diet does not control your life, it gives you control of your life. You can eat out, even fast food and you WILL still lose weight! The best thing I ever did for myself, for my family and for my health was joining QWLC."
"I was recently cast in a role in the musical 'South Pacific' that I was not physically suited for in my opinion. I needed to look like a Marine! My belly sticking out with an extra 30 pounds did not resemble the physique of any Marine I envisioned. I had to do something about it, that's when I turned to QWLC. Again Wow! I started seeing results quickly. The program taught me how to eat. From the very start I learned what to eat, what was good for me and the right portions to have, In addition to all of that, the vitamins and supplements helped my body get all the minerals and nutrients I needed."
"One day while driving home, I heard on Y-100 that Froggy, one of their disc jockeys, and his wife had joined QWL and were amazed on how easy their weight came off. Around that same time, I ran into an old friend and was shocked to see how great she looked, so I had to ask what her secret was. Once again, the answer was QWL. QWL quickly become a daily topic of conservation, so I began my online research about the program. Soon I was convinced that QWL was the right program for me. It made sense. It has an extensive menu to choose from and the right portions. I took a chance and made an appointment because I knew it was time for me to take the plunge and try to get my life on track."
"My sister not only joined the Quick Weight Loss Program but was so adamant that I join also that she bought the membership for me. That was 4 months and 44 pounds ago. I started following the program to the letter and I found myself losing the weight without starving. I feel like I woke up one day and I was "skinny" again. I can honestly say that I didn't starve myself. I actually found that sometimes it was too much food. When customers at work started to ask questions and compliment me on my weight loss, I started to feel better and better about myself. I am now at a size 4 and I love it!"
"I was always thin or able to keep my weight in control by dieting and or exercising, if I gained a few pounds it was always easy to take them off in a short period of time with little effort. Then menopause hit approximately 5 years ago, my body was no longer my own. The weight gain started and no matter what diet I tried, no matter what I did nothing worked. All my old methods of losing weight and exercise had no effect on my body now. I continued to struggle with the weight gain and gained approximately 5 pounds per year with a total gain of approximately 27 pounds and a size 10."
"It was over winter break I found myself looking through old photographs, reliving all sorts of fond memories. I then reached for two pictures. Coincidentally stuck together, one was of me before my first child, standing proud in a ridiculously small bikini, and showing off my flat stomach. The next was one taken only a few months ago, where I am trying to hide my body in a one piece, clearly self-conscious of my image. Tears swelled up in my eyes, and it was at that moment I realized how much weight I have gained over the past several years. It was time for a change, and I turned to Quick Weight Loss Center for just that."
"The Quick Weight Loss team was extremely supportive and knowledgeable. It did not take much out of my time. I had confidence in the team and I now fit in my size 2 to 3 clothes. I'm confident in myself. My self esteem has increased. I feel healthier, happier, in control, beautiful and sexy. This all happened with continued support, commitment, knowledge, regular exercise and eating the right foods - making the correct choice to a healthier life style. As I said before, I feel like myself again. I'm back! Thanks again to Quick Weight loss Center and all your staff!!!"
"My decision to lose weight was not only about my appearance, but how much less I loved myself and how I was running out of clothes to wear. Most importantly, how could I control my son's weight problem if I could not even control mine? My goal was to lose 41 pounds in 14 weeks. I lost 42 pounds and I gained self-confidence and self-love. I went from a size 12 to a 5. I am now at 127 pounds and I feel healthy and look great. My husband told me that the new me was the best gift I could have ever given him. I love the way he looks at me now and how he and my children are so proud of me. I am now able to wear my daughter's clothes and even her friends think I'm 'hot'."
"After much thought, I came to the realization that the most important wedding gift I could give my son and my loving family is to lose weight and be healthy. Hearing about Quick Weight Loss and reading about a few of their success stories. I decided to give it a try and scheduled an appointment the next day after returning from a cruise. I walked into QWL in tears and at my heaviest weight. Well, I am proud to say with the professionalism, warmth, dedication, sincerity and encouragement of Quick Weight Loss staff I have lost a total of 85 pounds in just over 6 months."
"Having a thyroid disorder and having just recently had a hysterectomy, I didn't think I'd ever be able to lose the weight. We started the plan in mid March. Fourteen weeks later, I'm 35 pounds lighter and feel great. I recently saw my doctor who handles my thyroid problem. He informed me that I needed to increase my medication as my blood work showed that my thyroid had become more sluggish. He said I looked great, that he was surprised that I was able to lose the weight under the circumstances of the thyroid sluggishness. My blood pressure was excellent. He said keep up the good work, gave me a script to increase my medication and said 'I'll see you in 6 months'."
"Due to the fact that I'm a very picky eater and don't like a lot of foods, the variety of foods in the Nutritional Plan Guide was great! I had so many vegetables, proteins, and fruits to choose from. I was able to diet, eat good food and learn how to eat right without being hungry. My attitude has changed. I am much happier, positive, and I am now able to do a lot more without being so tired at night! My left hip feels better at the end of the day from the weight loss and my blood pressure is a lot lower. Most importantly I'll be having Grandchildren soon and I want to teach them Karate and spoil them and be with them for a long time."




























































