AMERICAN IDOL winner RUBEN STUDDARD is encouraging people in his home state of Alabama to follow in his footsteps and lose unwanted weight.
The 28-year-old has lost 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and is asking the state's overweight residents to shed 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) in eight weeks.
The singer is helping to promote the "Scale Back Alabama" initiative which will see Alabamians lose a total of 10 million pounds (4.5 million kilograms) if successful.
He explains, "I'm not where I want to be, but I'm on the right track, and I'm excited about encouraging other Alabamians to begin their own weight-loss journeys." Studdard's own weight-loss success was based on a regimen of eating a healthy diet and regular exercise, which were sparked by his effort to avoid a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure. (SS/WNWCPL/SC) WENN - SECOND - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 20 DECEMBER 2006