MISHAWAKA — It's the end of Week 6 for the Why Weight challenge for Kirk Mason, Cari Peugeot and Kelli Cheatham. So far, the three have lost a collective 29.5 pounds! Friday morning they talked with experts about the obesity epidemic.

Julie Janeway and Karen Sparks co-authored the book The Real Skinny on Weight Loss Surgery. It is currently the best selling patient information book in the world.

They're in town over the weekend for educational conferences with local doctors, nurses and dietitians.

Both women have their own experiences overcoming obesity. Together, they've lost more than 400 pounds after bariatric surgery. In their book, they write candidly about the weight loss surgery process and how readers can decide if it's right for them.

For more information about Julie and Karen, click "Watch the Story." Julie and Karen will also be on WSBT Saturday Morning starting at 6 a.m.

Kirk, Cari and Kelli are going through a 12-week medical weight loss program with Memorial Bariatric and Weight Loss Center. The program is carefully monitored with weekly checkups with nutritionists.

WSBT viewers can get a 10 percent discount on the program through the end of March. To see if you qualify for free metabolic testing at Memorial, take the quiz on the Why Weight? page.