Weight Watchers fashion show to show off moms' hard work

BY KIM BROWN World Scene Writer
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
5/01/12 at 4:42 AM

Back in 1990, Angela Parris would never have imagined walking the runway in a fashion show.

"I used to wear big baggy shirts, and I wore things that were a lot bigger of a size," she said. "I would always say something was too uncomfortable or too small."

But the Broken Arrow mother and her three daughters will be featured on Saturday at the Promenade mall's fashion show, called "Lose it! Work It! Own It!" Parris is one of more than 20 models participating, who are busy mothers and lifetime members of Weight Watchers. They will be featured in clothing from Gap, Express, The Buckle, Macy's, Epic Boutique and JCP.

"I just think it's a great way to show people how to be more fit and healthier," said Suzanne Mobley, Weight Watchers leader and Tulsa ambassador. "And everybody in the show is a Weight Watchers lifetime member, which means we've all lost the weight and kept it off."

When managers of Promenade mall were discussing hosting a fashion show near Mother's Day, which is May 13, the idea came about to feature "real" women as models, said Eileen Neighbors, marketing director for Tulsa Promenade mall.

"The show was created to celebrate women who have worked hard to embrace a healthy lifestyle by incorporating healthy choices into their lives," Neighbors said. "These ladies are role models, and they deserve to show off their new figures due to their dedication and hard work through Weight Watchers."

Clothes that fit

Parris, who is a Weight Watchers leader, said her journey started in 1990.

"I became a lifetime member in 1990, but I gained everything back. When I came back like seven years later, I actually weighed more than when I first started," she said. "But I'm glad that's my story because so many members can identify with that."

She went into the program wearing a size 14, and now Parris shops for clothing in the size six range, which she said took a little getting used to.

"Now I'm excited to buy shirts that are actually cut to fit and show how I really look, rather than covering up," she said. "I like buying fitted skirts, too. I think that accents your body that you've worked hard on."

Parris said losing the last few pounds was tough, though.

"The final five or so pounds actually came off recently because I started exercising very regularly," she said.

Setting the tone

Parris will appear in the fashion show with her three daughters, who range in age from 9 to 18. She's proud to set a good example for them in a body-conscious world.

"I want to teach them the difference between healthy foods and treats," she said. "Treats are fine if we have them as a treat. I really stress to my kids what's healthy and what's not. I try to put a lot of balance into our diet."

Mobley said she became a lifetime member in 2004 after keeping off 50 pounds. She said her members not only want to feel better, but they also enjoy looking better, which is natural.

"For me, I just felt like my clothes were too tight, and I was the biggest person among my friends. It was a lot of small things" that inspired her to lose weight. "Nobody likes to see that high number on the scale."

FASHION SHOW

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Center Court, Tulsa Promenade, 4107 S. Yale Ave.

Admission: Free

Info: 918-627-9282

Original Print Headline: Fashion show to celebrate weight loss

Kim Brown 918-581-8474
kim.brown@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Suzanne Mobley shops for clothes at the Gap for an upcoming fashion show for Mother's Day featuring models who have lost weight on Weight Watchers. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World