Knoxville's Sherry Johnston bids farewell on NBC's 'Biggest Loser'

Photo by Trae Patton

Sherry Johnston

Photo by Trae Patton

Sherry Johnston

Knoxville's Sherry Johnston, 51, aka Mama Sherry to her teammates on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," was eliminated from the weight-loss competition on Tuesday night's episode of the show.

Tears flowed from fellow contestants, none more than daughter Ashley Johnston, who remains in the game, as Sherry Johnston said her goodbyes. But the moment wasn't sad for long.

A follow-up segment on Sherry's progress, filmed recently at Fort Loudoun Lake in South Knoxville, showed a beaming and fit "Mama Sherry" who has so far lost 80 pounds. Sherry Johnston started "The Biggest Loser" at 218 pounds and currently weighs 138 pounds.

To celebrate her achievement, Sherry Johnston canoed down the waterway, then in an especially touching moment, read a letter to her deceased husband while standing by his grave.

"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to change my life. ... I'm excited about life again," said Sherry Johnston.

Another inspiring moment for the Johnstons came when Ashley, 27, seemed to have a bit of a breakdown while on her familiar nemesis, the treadmill.

Trainer Jillian Michaels asked Ashley what was wrong, and Ashley expressed concern about feeling the need to constantly take care of her mom, especially after the passing of Ashley's father.

Jillian then took Ashley to talk frankly with mom Sherry, where both mother and daughter expressed their feelings, and seemed to come away stronger for it.

© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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