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Miami Challenge Event Delivers Sun, Stars and First Steps for Many to Healthier Life

Thousands filled Miami's Bay Front Park Saturday afternoon to take in some great live music and entertainment and also take up a vow to 'give up the pounds, not the fight.' Dr. Ian Smith, author of the current New York Times #1 bestseller, "Extreme Fat Smash Diet," and expert on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" brought his newly launched '50 Million Pound Challenge' campaign to town to kick off a commitment by area residents to losing weight and getting fit.

The event featured a fun-filled day including helpful tips on how to make healthy living easier, and live appearances by recording stars Wyclef Jean, Kenny Lattimore, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Biz Markie, radio hosts Steve Harvey and J. Anthony Brown, Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper and U.S. Congressman Kendrick Meek (FL-17th district).

Attendees had a chance to pledge their commitment to healthy living and giving up the pounds by signing up for 'The Challenge' and participating in free health screenings.

In just six weeks since the launch of this historic campaign by the African-American community, more than 70,000 people have signed up to participate. The national health initiative aims to mobilize millions of Americans to collectively turn back the epidemic of excess weight and related deadly diseases that threatens half of all Americans and has hit the African-American community particularly hard.

The campaign's goal is to lose 50 million pounds by making it easier and more fun for people to take off the excess weight. Already, over 100,000 pounds have been shed.

Highlights of the afternoon included:

• U.S. Congressman Kendrick Meek spoke passionately to the crowd about the importance of taking control of their health and losing weight to enjoying a longer, healthier life.
• In a remarkable moment capturing the campaign's call to work together as a community, two of the nation's top urban radio hosts, Steve Harvey and J. Anthony Brown (with the Tom Joyner show) joined hands on the same stage to show support for 'The Challenge' and its important national health goals.
• Challenge supporter and Grammy -winning artist Wyclef Jean jumped into the crowd, bringing the audience to its feet by singing hits such as "Hips Don't Lie" and "Ready or Not." He spoke with conviction about the need to lead healthier lives, saying "It's important that we eat right, as African-Americans, starting with ourselves. I've had to cut back myself and make a commitment to eating good foods."
• Challenge supporter and Pro-Bowl Quarterback Daunte Culpepper of the Miami Dolphins told the audience that "Weight is very important in the NFL - we all have to make our weight everyday. The most important thing is to make a goal, and stick to it. You have to commit to those goals and do what you need to meet them."
• Dr. Ian Smith concluded the rally by leading a walk along Miami's bay front to mark the first steps by new Challenge participants to giving up the pounds and enjoying healthier, longer lives.