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Jennifer Hudson to Open Weight Loss Center in Chicago

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Mark Von Holden/WireImage.com

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson has beat her battle of the bulge and now she's helping folks in her native Chicago do the same.

The former American Idol champ — who dropped 80 lbs. with the help of Weight Watchers — will open the Jennifer Hudson Weight Watchers Center on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Related: PHOTOS: Amazing American Idol makeovers

Chicago's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, is set to be on hand for Tuesday's unveiling in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Hudson coupled the Weight Watchers plan with an exercise regime in an attempt to shed post-baby weight after giving birth to her son, David Otunga, Jr., in 2009.

"Four days after my cesarean section, I began walking 30 minutes every day. It was my therapy, my moment to myself, and it was all I could do. I figured, me walking is better than me sitting on the couch," Hudson recently told Self magazine. "Even if I can't climb a mountain or do 100,000 push-ups, these steps matter, and they're leading somewhere.

Related: PHOTOS: Hollywood weight winners

"I'm prouder of my weight loss than my Oscar!" the Weight Watchers spokeswoman admits.

Portions of the center's revenue will be donated to a foundation in memory of Hudson's late nephew, Julian King, who was shot and killed in October 2008 along with the singer's mother and brother.

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