Exercising Power to Lead Healthier Lives – 740,000 Participants Cast Votes for ‘Challenger of Year’
Challenge, the free national health initiative launched
Americans to come together to ‘Give up the pounds, not the fight,’ is on track
to top the 3 million pounds lost milestone this month. To celebrate the
progress of so many individuals towards their weight-loss goals and motivate
people to renew their commitment to improving their health, the campaign has
opened an online poll at 50millionpounds.com (http://www.50millionpounds.com/)
so people can vote to honor the first Challenger of the Year. For inspiring
others to join the fight against the epidemic of excess weight taking so many
U.S. lives, the winner receives a
“Every American has the power to lead a healthier, happier life,” said
physician and founder Dr. Ian. “The Challenge helps people come together to
exercise that power. This month we’re marking a major milestone by asking
people to again exercise their power to vote, to honor one of 12 finalists as
the Challenger of the Year, in recognition of their personal success as well
as inspiring more Americans to shed excess pounds and gain a healthier life.
“Surpassing 3 million pounds is an important shared success for The
Challenge. But even more important are the personal successes of each of The
Challenge’s 740,000 participants striving for their individual weight-loss
targets,” said Dr. Ian, who is also diet expert on VH1′s Celebrity Fit Club
and NY Times best-selling author of The Fat Smash Diet. “The personal
triumphs and success stories of our 12 finalists are truly remarkable.
They’ve shown amazing commitment and have given and received sensational
support from their friends, families and Challenge team members. Like no
other measure, these successes set the standard for The Challenge, and prove
the power we each have to transform our lives. We can all find inspiration
and resolution solutions to lead healthier lives in the New Year.”
To discuss The Challenge, Challenger of the Year and how reaching the
milestone saves lives, Dr. Ian hosted a press conference call
December 10
and encouraged people to utilize the myriad of free resources and join one of
17,000 Challenge teams at 50millionpounds.com. He was joined by two
Challenger of the Year finalists,
A study in the
(http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/357/4/370) found that teamwork is
key. It showed 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 join together to
fight the epidemic of excess weight and weight-related illness. Today more
than 135 million Americans and two-thirds of adults are overweight, with the
obesity rate doubling in the last few decades. 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 illness, with life
expectancy five years below the U.S. average.
Anyone can join The Challenge at 50millionpounds.com
(http://www.50millionpounds.com/), the campaign’s online support community.
The site tallies total pounds lost and offers participants free resources
provided by sponsor State Farm(R), including a 30-day diet plan, personal
weight and activity trackers, and Challenge teams to make fitness easier and
more fun. Currently, more than 17,000 Challenge teams are helping 90,000
members lose 20 percent more weight than the overall campaign average. It’s a
winning formula-and cities, churches, civic groups, friends and families
across America are teaming up to help reverse the epidemic of excess weight
and turn it into a culture of healthier living.
For more information on the telephonic news conference, The Challenge and
to get bios and photos, contact:
-- Pamela Avery, pam@turnerstrategies.com, 303-807-1797, or
-- Mia Jazo-Harris, mia.jazo-harris.sfdx@statefarm.com, 309-766-5242 (o),
309-533-2011 (cell).
12 ‘Challenger of the Year’ Finalist Success Stories — Proving the Power
to Transform Lives
-- Craig E. Nash, Chicago, IL (Challenge Team: The Power of
Friendship-Craig's Friends)
I started at 390 pounds and lost 199 pounds!
Thank you, State Farm and The 50 Million Pound Challenge, for changing
my life forever! I started turning my life around on March 1, 2007.
At 390 pounds and with the support of two great friends, I started
eating better and working out on a regular basis. I have been and
continue to be encouraged by you, my State Farm agent and The Challenge
to make wise decisions and apply the lessons learned going forward to
maintain my transformation. I hope people can find inspiration from my
story and photos to 'turn around' their lives and move in a healthy
direction.
-- Lawana R. Williams, Southfield, MI (Challenge Team: Sisters Inspiring
Sisters)
I've lost 38 pounds myself and motivated almost 500 others to lose more
than 3,300 lbs!
I signed up for The Challenge in July 2007 after participating in the
Detroit rally. Since then, I started a team, Sisters Inspiring
Sisters. I am proud to say we are nearly 500 members strong and
growing -- and together we have all lost more than 3,300 pounds! The
Challenge has helped me to stay focused, determined to lose weight, and
be a healthier and happier person. I work as a receptionist and most of
the day I am sitting, so I made up in my mind that no matter what, I
was going to walk on my lunch break for 30 minutes and eat a healthy
lunch the other 30 minutes.
-- Charmen Daley, Orlando, FL (Challenge Team: Women in the Mirror)
My starting weight was 429 pounds and I've lost 127 pounds!
Charmen made a New Year's resolution in 2007 to lose 100 of her then
429 pounds, but didn't get serious until eight months later when
watching sad stories about morbidly obese people on TV and realizing
she was one of them. With a good friend who is a personal trainer
helping get her started, the 29-year-old joined The Challenge and lost
127 pounds. She encourages others "to realize effort only fully
releases its reward when you refuse to quit. Today, I feel great! I
eat three meals and two snacks daily and drink lots of water! I weight
train twice a week with my trainer and I exercise at home 3-4 times a
week at least 45 minutes. I learned how to eat. I'm more mobile than
ever, my self-confidence is through the roof, and I've lost 82 pounds
in 5 months! I get so excited every time I see my weight-loss tracker.
-- Tahira Davis, Cleveland, OH (Challenge Team: Fit4Cleveland)
I lost 29 pounds and I'm still losing!
I've always struggled with my weight but I didn't realize how much
until this year. It was our 100th anniversary at my job and the
manager decided to compile a DVD of all employees ... I couldn't
believe what everyone saw when they looked at me weighing 187 pounds. I
decided then and there I needed to do something ... I am losing more
and loving it. Water is a key part of my success.
-- Marcella Jones, Yorktown, VA
I lost 60 pounds and regained my confidence!
My motivation was the guy that worked at 7-11. He said to all the
other people in line, "Pregnant people are gorgeous aren't they? How
far along are you?" I was devastated because I was not pregnant! I had
lost my husband and myself to obesity. The next day I typed out what
the clerk said and I began my journey to 140 pounds. I lost 65 pounds
in 5 months and kept it off for over a year.
-- Anna Mary Lopez, Orlando, FL (Challenge Team: Busy Moms -- started by
Lopez & Team Destiny -- church team)
I lost 46 pounds and plan to lose 24 more!
As a stay-at-home Mom with 2 babies under two, The Challenge has helped
me shed my "baby weight" despite barely having time to eat, let alone
eat right. I am taking charge of my health for myself and my kids. I
drink a glass of water before each meal and watch portions -- bought
smaller plates so the portions look larger. For exercise, I use my
kids as weights and run back and forth from task to task to get my
heart rate up! My dream is for my husband to pick me up and carry me
like his bride!
-- Femi Martin, Brandon, FL
I've lost more than 50 pounds and I'm close to my goal!
The turning point came when my doctor informed me that I had gained an
additional 15 pounds and had now reached 234 pounds. I couldn't fathom
that I had put on exactly 100 pounds at 5'7" since graduating from
college. I dusted off the kicks and got to walking every day. My most
prized memory in my journey came when I stepped on the scale and it
read 199 pounds. Now, I have so much more confidence and reassurance I
will continue to follow this healthy lifestyle.
-- Christopher McCray, Hampton, GA
I changed my eating habits and life forever!
I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 1999, and hit rock bottom when
I topped out at 345 pounds. In Nov. 2007, I started my weight-loss
program by cutting out sugar and my intake of starches and began to eat
5 small meals a day. I work out at the gym and home 4-5 times a week.
I can't stress how much water has been a key to my success. I now
weigh 295 and am more active and feel better than ever. In May 2008 he
married his high school sweetheart, motivating the 41-year old McCray's
decision to get healthier. He wants to be here to enjoy the beginning
of the rest of his life.
-- Tikia Brown-Montgomery and Michael Montgomery, Indianapolis, IN
(Challenge Team: We Believe)
We lost a combined 31 pounds and are on track towards our goal!
When my husband and I first got together his weight was 220 and mine
was 170. He now weighs 370 and I weigh 240. We got tired of people
telling us we need to lose weight ... so we decided to make a change!
It was very hard at first because we were so used to eating fast food,
fried foods, and all types of sweets. Together, we're putting forth
effort to lose, and reach our goal weights.
-- Kenya Morgan, Salisbury, NC (Challenge Team: Isenberg Elite)
I lost 70 pounds and surpassed my goal!
I decided to lose weight when my health became a real issue. I had very
high blood pressure that couldn't be controlled by the strongest
medicines. I began walking each day. As my strength grew, I began
jogging and am now up to running 8 miles a day. I eat six small
healthy meals a day, stopped eating sugar and drinking sodas, and drink
only water, 80 ounces or more a day. I'm down to a slim 119 pounds
from a starting weight of 189 pounds. Now, she says she no longer
needs her blood pressure or heart medication. I knew I wanted to be
there for my husband and children and they deserved to have me at my
best. There's no greater motivation than that.
-- Michelle Thomas, Colorado Springs, CO
I lost 60 pounds and that's half of my goal!
I've been obese and eventually morbidly obese since grade school. In
July 2006 after tipping the scales at a whopping 265 pounds and only
being 5 feet tall, I decided to change my eating habits and add
exercise. The pounds started to come off easily. I am religiously at
the gym 5 days a week ... and I can't mention how much I love water.
This has been a fun and adventurous challenge for me. So many people
have come up to me at the gym just to tell me I look great or keep up
the good work and I have inspired them. Just knowing that I can
inspire others to change has been the greatest thing that can happen to
me. Another plus, Thomas adds, is teaching the healthy habits she's
learned to her children.
-- Deborah Wright, West Haven, CT (Challenge Team: Bethel AME New Haven)
I lost nearly 50 pounds, dropped 2 sizes and no longer need my diabetes
medications!
After going to the doctor and being told that I was diabetic, she knew
she could no longer put off losing weight and getting fit. "I started
to focus on many smaller goals instead of one large goal. I soon
realized it was achieving the little goals that kept me motivated to
continue. Who knew something as simple as eating 6 small meals a day,
instead of skipping breakfast or dinner, would truly help you to lose
weight? One small step today ... one large goal tomorrow! Being on
The Challenge means I can now fit into a size 22, and I no longer need
my diabetes medications.
For more details on The 50 Million Pound Challenge, also visit
50millionpounds.com (http://www.50millionpounds.com/).
About The 50 Million Pound Challenge:
Dr.
encouraging people to come together and take control of their health by
getting fit, losing excess weight and turning back the deadly toll of
weight-related diseases that threaten nearly half of Americans and hits the
African-American community especially hard. The Challenge, a free campaign
supported and endorsed in name and deed by national civic and health
organizations, is sponsored by State Farm.
About Dr.
Dr. Ian is a diet expert on VH1′s Celebrity Fit Club and author of the NY
Times #1 best-sellers Fat Smash Diet and Extreme Fat Smash Diet, and other
works of fiction and non-fiction. He hosts his own TV and radio shows, BET’s
Meet the Faith and HealthWatch on American Urban Radio Network. Dr. Ian is a
contributor to The View and Men’s Health Magazine. He has filed reports and
written for NBC Nightly News, Today Show, Essence, Ebony, People, Cosmopolitan
and the
About State Farm: State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other
insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a
leading insurer in
serve more than 78 million auto, fire, life and health policies in
States
Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of
companies. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on the Fortune 500 list of largest
companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in
statefarm.ca(R).
SOURCE 50 Million Pound Challenge