Houston Man Selected as Tasti D-Lite September Healthy Habit Winner

Sept. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- (Houston, TX)--- Jay Justilian, 45, is a former high school football standout. Athletics kept him svelte in his youth but like so many people, as he got older and became more focused on his career, he found himself frequently eating on the go, without much time to devote to exercise.

In January 2010, Justilian heard about Tasti D-Lite’s six-week weight loss contest on a local Houston sports radio station.

“I have always been a pretty competitive guy and I’ve tried many diets over the years and this sounded like one that was just right for me. It was the first of the year. I was in dire need to lose some weight and this was right up my alley,” Justilian said of the local Tasti D-Lite weight loss contest.

Justilian, who initially weighed 287 pounds, not only won the 2010 Houston contest, he lost an astonishing 48 pounds or 16.7 percent of his body weight over the course of the six-week program. Justilian is now receiving national accolades as the September winner of Tasti D-Lite’s Healthy Habit Search, a nationwide, year-long contest that rewards people whose healthy habits, including eating Tasti D-Lite, have improved their life and health. Since the contest was launched earlier this year, hundreds of Tasti D-Lite customers from across the country have entered and shared their stories.

Each month Tasti D-Lite, which has close to 60 locations, including three in Houston, is recognizing one entrant, like Justilian, whose Tasti Habit has made a healthy and significant difference in his or her life. The winning entrants’ photos and stories are featured online and in Tasti D-Lite centers. Each monthly winner also receives $1,000 cash and a month of free Tasti (in the form of a Tasti TreatCard valued at $155, representing a $5 Tasti purchase for 31 days).

The idea for the Tasti Habit campaign came from the many customer stories the company has heard over the years about loyal Tasti fans losing weight and feeling healthier. What makes the Tasti Healthy Habit Search unique is that it is not just about weight loss.

“The Houston contest and Jay’s successful weight loss was a major impetus for us developing the Tasti Healthy Habit Search Contest,” said Jim Amos, Tasti D-Lite’s CEO.  “While Jay did it to lose weight, many of our other entrants just wanted to find a healthier sweet indulgence to incorporate into their active, fitness-conscious lifestyle.  The stories we’ve gotten from our customers about what Tasti has meant to their health and their happiness is exactly what our brand is all about.”

Tasti D-Lite is a better-for-you, dairy-based frozen dessert.  With base mixes made from the finest natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners, it is a uniquely creamy and delicious treat that is lower in calories, carbohydrates and sugar than ice cream and leading brands of frozen yogurt. Tasti D-Lite is not frozen yogurt because it doesn’t contain yogurt or yogurt cultures. It can’t be called ice cream because it doesn’t have the higher butterfat and total food solids content of ice cream.

Depending on the flavor, Tasti D-Lite has between 70 and 100 calories per four fluid-ounce serving, with most of its 100+ flavors having 70 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 13 grams of carbs.  And unlike other lower calorie and lower fat frozen desserts that can be icy and leave an unpleasant aftertaste, Tasti D-Lite has a light, sweet flavor and a smooth and creamy texture.

“This is the greatest way to lose weight,” said Justilian. “When I tell people I had a Tasti treat every day while losing so much weight, it blows them away. I particularly love having a Tasti Acai Smoothie for lunch – it’s an awesome, lower calorie meal.  In this current environment it’s nice to be able to go somewhere and have something tasty and not worry about it. Tasti D-Lite is perfect for me professionally because I’m a Realtor and constantly on the go. My grandkids love when I take them for a special treat at Tasti D-Lite and I love the fact that it’s healthier than other local options.”

The Tasti Healthy Habit Search is open to women and men 18 years or older who have a Tasti D-Lite center in their area. The entry form and contest details are available online at tastihabit.com and no purchase is necessary to enter. Entrants simply answer a short questionnaire and are asked to submit a photograph. A panel of judges selected by Tasti D-Lite chooses the monthly winners.

Since its inception in 1987, Tasti D-Lite’s popularity has grown largely by word of mouth and has resulted in a huge base of raving fans who line up day and night to get their favorite guilt-free treat. Thanks to unsolicited international exposure on TV shows such as “30 Rock,” “Sex and the City” and “The Apprentice” along with new store openings, demand for the brand has grown worldwide.  Tasti D-Lite first launched its franchise program in 2008.  Since then, the company has grown to over 55 locations and has secured commitments to open over 500 locations in the coming years. Today it has locations in 12 U.S. states.  Internationally, the company already has centers in Mexico and the United Arab Emirates and will be opening locations in Australia and Panama in 2011.  

For more information, visit www.tastidlite.com or contact Courtney Thomas at 312-829-4350.