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The Challenge and Dr. Ian join the Chicago Gospel Fest
Soon after its one-year anniversary and topping 2 million pounds, The Challenge and Dr. Ian join the Chicago Gospel Fest
Chicago –As part of its effort to spread “the gospel of healthy living,” Dr. Ian Smith’s 50 Million Pound Challenge has teamed up with churches across the country in an effort to “Give up the pounds, not the fight!” This month, Dr. Ian and The 50 Million Pound Challenge will be a part of the Chicago Gospel Festival and invites churches in attendance to join him in this remarkable, free national health initiative. Founded by Dr. Smith and backed by leaders across the African-American community, The 50 Million Pound Challenge kicks off its second year after inspiring almost half a million people to team up to take off the pounds and take control of their health. The historic campaign capped its first anniversary celebration in April by topping 2 million total pounds lost to fight the epidemic of excess weight taking so many U.S. lives, especially among African Americans.
May 30 through June 1, The Challenge will join the Chicago Gospel Festival. The Challenge will have computers on hand all three days of the Fest so spectators can join The Challenge online community. There will be giveaways and opportunities to win prizes. “We are off to a great start, but it’s imperative that we inspire more people to become active participants to reach our 50 million pound goal," Dr. Ian said. "We will continue to take The Challenge message and weight loss tools to the people. The churches, traditional cornerstones in African-American communities, are a natural pulpit for delivering our important message. I thank our sponsor State Farm® for making it possible for us to spread this important message as we head out across the country this year. All Challenge resources are free."
In 2008, the campaign is reaching out through churches to mobilize more people to join the growing Challenge online community at 50millionpounds.com. There participants can find free tips, tools, a personal weight tracker and Challenge teams to support their quest for healthier, longer lives. Also in its second year, The Challenge will be offering new interactive tools, team resources, nutrition and diet tips, contests and prizes to continue to make the website a fresh and exciting experience for participants. Already thousands have sent in personal success stories to share as Featured Challengers on the website and tens of thousands have joined one of nearly 9,000 new Challenge Teams.
“All across America, people are teaming up to take off the pounds and take control of their health. Nearly 9,000 Challenge teams are helping members lose 15% more weight than the overall average. That’s a winning formula,” said Dr. Ian. “In tandem, the online Challenge community and the church can be the ultimate support group. We want to support churches in helping their congregations make 2008 the year they started focusing on the well-being of their bodies, along with their souls,” Dr. Ian said. “Churches and individual participants can access free resources and set up teams 24/7 at 50millionpounds.com. They can gain support and motivation by working together with others in the congregation on a similar journey. Losing weight isn’t always easy, but working together and support are important keys to success.”
A study in the July 2007 New England Journal of Medicine found that close friends and family set a powerful example for each other—they tend to gain but can also lose weight together. The Challenge aims to reach its goal by making it easier for millions to fight the epidemic of excess weight threatening half of all Americans. More than 135 million Americans and two in three adults are overweight; double the rate a few decades ago. Each week, 10,000 die from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and other illness related to inactivity and diet. African Americans are especially hard hit: 80% of women and 67% of men face higher risk from weight-related diseases, with life expectancy five years below the U.S. average.
Backed by hundreds of civic and celebrity champions, mayors, Congress members, national health and civic groups, The Challenge is one of the most far-reaching initiatives of its kind. It has taken on more than 470,000 participants and taken off more than 2 million pounds. Anyone can join at 50millionpounds.com. The site tallies the total pounds lost, offers participants free resources and information on how to get a free Challenge kit with a CD, brochure, menu and fitness advice, and a pedometer to count steps.