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50 Million Pound Challenge Signs 1st 100,000

Posted on: Thursday, 14 June 2007, 18:15 CDT

CLEVELAND, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Vowing to "give up the pounds, not the fight," Dr. Ian Smith -- physician, author of NY Times #1 best-seller Extreme Fat Smash Diet & VH1 Celebrity Fit Club expert -- is teaming up with a host of African-American leaders and State Farm(R) to bring the 50 Million Pound Challenge to Cleveland's Time Warner Amphitheatre on June 16 for a free special event of fitness and fun with the stars to help people take control of their health and take up the fight against weight-related illnesses. On pace to be one of the most far-reaching health initiatives of its kind, The Challenge is an historic campaign and commitment by the African-American community to rally people across the U.S. to give up the pounds, get fit and lead healthier, longer lives. Nine weeks into its 14-city U.S. tour, 107,205 people have joined at 50millionpounds.com and lost a total of 187,097 pounds.

A star-studded cast will be in the Time Warner Amphitheatre at Tower City on Saturday, June 16, 1-4 p.m. for a free afternoon of live music, fitness and fun expected to draw thousands. Joining Dr. Ian Smith will be Grammy- nominated R&B star Joe, Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone, national radio personality J. Anthony Brown, rap star & beat boxer Doug E. Fresh, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, renowned DJ Biz Markie, and Ohio State Representative Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland). Attendees will be able to enjoy live entertainment, get free health screenings, learn more about The Challenge and its free tips & tools for fitness and weight-loss, sign up online, and join Dr. Ian for a Challenge walk.

The Challenge aims to reach its ambitious goal by making it easier for millions of people to get fit, lose weight and turn back the deadly toll of weight-related diseases that threatens half of all Americans. Each week 10,000 people die from illnesses related to inactivity and diet. For the 135 million Americans and 2/3rds of U.S. adults who are overweight -- double the rate a few decades ago-their lifestyle choices have literally become a matter of life & death. The African-American community has been particularly hard hit, losing too many loved ones to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and related illnesses. Among African Americans, 80% of women and 67% of men face increased risk of deadly illnesses from excess weight.

"This is an historic opportunity to join hands as a community, take control of our health and save lives," said Dr. Ian, author of NY Times #1 best-seller Extreme Fat Smash Diet. "The groundswell of support keeps growing. More than 100,000 people have joined, losing 170,000 pounds. And we're just getting started. What began as a simple challenge has become a remarkable commitment across the entire community. Losing weight and getting in shape has never been easier, or more important. Too many people are dying from preventable illnesses. The Challenge empowers people to get fit and give up the pounds that have frustrated so many for so long. It helps us take a giant leap forward towards leading longer, healthier lives."

To mobilize support & fight back, The Challenge hosts events from April to November in 14 cities: Washington, DC, Baltimore, Miami, Memphis, Cleveland, Houston, Detroit, Milwaukee, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Oakland and New Orleans. The campaign has enlisted as champions more than 50 leaders and celebrities across the African-American community, and national civic & health organizations including the American Diabetes Association, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc., 100 Black Men of America Inc., National Urban League, American Council on Exercise, and Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural & Minority Medicine. And The Challenge is working with State Farm to make it easier for people to get fit and reach their healthy weight with helpful tips & tools, including a go-to resource and online community at 50millionpounds.com.

"We're coming to Cleveland to help people take control of their health, make healthier lifestyle choices and give up the pounds, not the fight," said Dr. Ian. "Working together, we will reverse these deadly health trends, one small step at a time. The answer is clear. Reach your healthy weight and stay fit -- you'll look and feel great. You're also likely to live longer!"

Challenge supporter and Grammy-nominated R&B singer Joe said, "Life can be filled with such beauty and grace, but only if you're around to enjoy it. Too many people in our community are having their lives cut short because they aren't giving their health the same respect we demand from each other. The Challenge is showing us the way things really are -- and the serious consequences of choices we make every day in what we eat and how we take care of ourselves. But it's also showing us the way things can be -- helping us make better choices and take our own journey to become the person we know we can be. If you believe in yourself, you can reach your personal health goals and find a new 'you.' There's so much in life worth fighting and living for. We have the power -- let's come together and use it. We'll live to appreciate it."

Challenge supporter and Grammy-nominated R&B star Angie Stone said, "Too many people are dying when there's so much living to do. We need to take better care of our health and stop disrespecting our bodies. We should love and respect ourselves as much as we do others. The Challenge is helping us look out for our health and be strong for each other. It's helping us make healthier food and fitness choices to enjoy a longer life. Giving up the pounds and staying fit isn't easy. But The Challenge is making it a lot easier -- and more fun! What's important is to get people moving -- moving their feet, moving to the beat, moving to healthier habits in what we eat. If we move forward together, there's no limit to what we can achieve."

Signing up for The Challenge is easy, free and anyone can join at 50millionpounds.com, where participants can see the total pounds lost by everyone taking The Challenge, and find tips, tools and a private personal weight tracker to measure their own progress. Free Challenge kits are available from participating State Farm agent offices, with a CD and brochure from Dr. Ian with menu and fitness advice, and a pedometer to measure steps.

Dr. Ian is teaming up for The Challenge with State Farm which is sponsoring the initiative as part of its long-time commitment to the African- American community and all communities. "This campaign is ultimately about helping people live longer, more productive lives," said Pam El, Vice President of Marketing for State Farm. "We care about the health of our communities. State Farm is proud to work with Dr. Ian on an issue that has such a positive impact on so many people's lives." Said Dr. Ian: "State Farm's support and concern in this initiative has been outstanding. They really get it."

About The 50 Million Pound Challenge

Dr. Ian Smith's 50 Million Pound Challenge, sponsored by State Farm(R), is a campaign supported and endorsed in name and deed by leaders across the African-American community and national civic and health organizations. The Challenge is an historic opportunity and commitment by the African-American community to come together and help people take control of their health by getting fit, losing excess weight and turning back the deadly toll of weight- related diseases that threatens almost 50% of Americans and is hitting the African-American community particularly hard.

About Dr. Ian Smith

Dr. Ian is a diet expert for VH1's Celebrity Fit Club, and author of the NY Times #1 best-seller The Fat Smash Diet and The Extreme Fat Smash Diet, and other works of fiction and non-fiction. He hosts his own TV & radio shows, BET's Meet the Faith and HealthWatch on the 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, The Today Show, Essence, Ebony, People, Cosmopolitan and University of Chicago's Medicine on the Midway. He's a new dad and lives with his family in Chicago.

About State Farm

State Farm(R) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.6 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No.22 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(R) or in Canada statefarm.ca(R).

50 Million Pound Challenge

CONTACT: Cleveland-area media, Meryl Moss, +1-203-226-0199,meryl@mediamuscle.com; or National media, Marc Smrikarov, +1-212-486-7070,cell, +1-917-595-9481, marcs@brownlloydjames.com; or Other media & inquiries,Mia Jazo-Harris, +1-309-766-5242, cell, +1-309-533-2011,mia.jazo-harris.sfdx@statefarm.com, all for 50 Million Pound Challenge

Web site: http://www.50millionpounds.com/http://www.statefarm.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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