Fifty Million Pound Challenge To Take Control Of Health, Fight Deadly Toll Of Excess Weight

The 50 Million Pound Challenge stops in Miami May 19 on its 14-city tour across the US rallying people to "give up the pounds, not the fight."

On April 7, Dr. Ian Smith, physician, NY Times best-selling author & VH1 Celebrity Fit Club expert, teamed up with State Farm(R) and a host of African-American leaders to launch The Challenge, an unprecedented campaign and commitment by the African-American community to help people lose weight, get fit & take control of their health. In its first month, 55,984 people joined the campaign.

The Challenge hosts a free special event expected to draw thousands to Miami's Bay Front Park-Tina Hills Pavilion on Saturday, May 19, 11-2 p.m. Joining Dr. Ian Smith will be Grammy-winning hip hop star Wyclef Jean, national radio host Steve Harvey, rap star & beat boxer Doug E. Fresh, R&B vocalist Kenny Lattimore, DJ Biz Markie, and South Florida-based talents gospel singer/songwriter Maryel Epps and saxophonist Al Johnson. Attendees will be able to enjoy live entertainment, get free health screenings, learn more and sign up for The Challenge, and join Dr. Ian for a Challenge walk at Bay Front Park.

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. The African-American community has been particularly hard hit, losing too many loved ones to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and other related illnesses. To fight back and encourage more people to join, The Challenge is hosting events in 14 U.S. cities from April to November.

The campaign has enlisted as champions more than 50 leaders and celebrities across the African-American community, and national civic and health organizations such as 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 it's 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.

"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 Fat Smash Diet. "The groundswell of support has been amazing. More than 50,000 have joined already, and we've only just begun. What started as a simple challenge has become a remarkable commitment that's spreading 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."

1. Prev:SenseWear Is Effective Behavioral Modification Tool For Weight Loss
2. Next:Only 15 Percent Of Bariatric Patients Follow-Up With Plastic Surgery