In its historic thrust to make the African American community more healthy, the 50 Million Pound Challenge has hit a pertinent milestone with over one million pounds lost.
Helmed by Dr. Ian Smith, author and host of VH1's 'Celebrity Fit Club' and BET's 'Meet The Faith,' the 50 Million Pound challenge recruited Patti LaBelle and Kelly Price for a ceremonial "tipping of the scales" at Harlem's famed Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building.
Challenge and community leaders joined the singing divas and Dr. Ian to light a commitment candle.
"It is extremely gratifying to know that in just seven months, that more than 250,000 have joined the cause, and lost one million pounds," said Dr. Ian.
"The first million pounds, we knew, were going to be the absolute toughest," he continues. "I have a very wealthy friend who said that his first million was the most difficult to acquire, getting progressively easier. Well, it's the same thing with this."
Since its launch in Washington, DC on April 7, more than a quarter of a million people have signed up at www.50millionpounds.com, a national call to action to grasp the final goal of losing 50 Million pounds by the year 2009.
The campaign hit 14 major cities in 2007 to increase awareness, and will look to target Black churches and HBCUs in 2008.
"Colleges are the epicenter of change and we want to engage our young people who are passionate and very internet savvy," says Dr. Ian. "They become our advocates and take the message of the challenge back home on break and get their family involved."
The Web site is also relaunching in 2008 taking in feedback from users, and becoming more interactive.
"We realized that we needed to have more of an individual saying this is a Web site where I can go to reach the tools for me to reach my individual goals," Dr. Ian explained.
"We've made lots of adjustments, and we now look at the challenge from the perspective of the challenger and not necessarily how we think they should be involved," he said.
"It's now time to take the challenge to the people and get it to be incorporated in their daily lives and that's what we're going to focus on next year."
To sign up for the 50 Million Pound Challenge go to www.50millionpounds.com
Comments: (10)
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By: JC on 11/19/2007 7:32PM
Obesity In America Is Indeed A Crisis. Staying Fit Greatly Improves Our Quality Of Life. It Is My Hope That More Overweight People Take The Challenge And Lose The Excess Pounds.
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By: lp on 11/20/2007 12:05PM
i took the challenge and have lost about 10lbs. im not overweight, but it wanted to learn how to eat healthier. my blood pressure is lower and cholesterol level is down. it was a good idea to start the 50 million challenge.
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By: Ms Hakim on 11/20/2007 8:06PM
He is SO fine.
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By: Bob on 11/22/2007 11:31AM
Our lives are so occupied today, with careers, finances families, cooking dinners, kids sporting events, and our kids education, that parents have very little time to concentrate, on taking care of themselves first, so that we can live to take care of the one we love. Just want to say anything you can do to increase your heart rate in moderate exercise is beneficial Inline Skating, walking, riding a bike, swimming, hiking, jogging, if you cannot get out walking in place at home is great, then cool down with a stretch routine for about 5 to 10 minuets this will help you with your confidence, and plus you will fill better about you. Most importantly your health, commit to giving yourself a change of life, for health five times a week 20 to 30 minutes, one step at a time, one day at a time. God Bless www.worldclassskate.com
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By: Tangi on 11/24/2007 4:00PM
I'm glad Dr. Smith is doing this. He's a highly educated man and knows that every overweight person can't be on the same eating plan being that every ones body is different. I would like to lose 25 lbs and keep it off. I wish the man was my neighbor!! I'd also wish he could put me on Celebrity Fit Club though I'm no celeb :-(
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By: Baby Kat Jeans on 12/12/2007 3:39PM
Let me start by saying thanks to Dr. I'm a 31 year old African American lady who have been on every diet out there. Slim Fast, pills and I had the gastric bypass I have lost great deal of weight with them all. In the last past 2 years I have put on 45lbs that I cant get off. I walked every day 2x a day, I took the diet pills along the the walking. Still, not a pound came off, so I went to my family doctor who gave me the pills and she said, "oh you have to much stress in your life to lose weight". I dont have any stress. I asked for blood work and it came back normal, I dont eat sugar, or fied foods, I dont smoke or drink so, what is the problem. I went back to the doctor who did my gastric and he said let me do the bypass again "are you sick, heck no". I would like to walk more, but I live in the hood and walking could he hazardous to my health. I would love to work out, but have anyone seen a gym in the ghetto? not me. I would have to drive a half hour away to the white people part of town to go to the gym. So, If anyone could tell me a way to work out in my home or something that could help me out. thanks
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By: meechie on 12/12/2007 5:34PM
poppin off:why has all the presidents of the united state are all white.from 04/30/1789 to 12/01/2008.an from 04/30/1789 to 03/04/1933most of them owned slaves.this is an old pagan practice,brought to this country,from the old counrty of england.an the trick of thier trade goes like this.keep the african americans out of business,so white americans can,control them,an stay in business.
now when you shop at these big box stores,owned by the k.k.k.take a real good look around you.these big box stores have allowed,these old decreeped baby boomers to walk around thier stores,an spy on african americans.an they are posted up,out in the parking lots too.what do they look like.look for the fart with the veterans ball cap on his head.k.k.k
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By: wife from the bronx on 12/12/2007 7:30PM
Everytime I see an ad re this web site, I mean to sign on and make the effort to lose between 30-40 lbs. My husband now is diagnosed with NALD -non-alcholic liver disease, AKA fatty liver disease- which we were told is a growing conditon in America. He is an athletic person who has a pretty good eating habit now. His MD told him to go on a low fat diet. Tho only fatty food he eats is ice cream. Now I have to find a diet both he and I can go on to help with his liver problem and my weigh - I hope this helps and will come back to leave an update.
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By: meechie on 12/12/2007 7:51PM
blacks trying to make a change,for the better.are sick ,an tired of.the blacks that walk around with that confederate flag across thier mouth.these blacks are overseers of other blacks.the k.k.k calls them 13.for the first 13 colonies.an the 13 stars on the confederate flag.an the 13th amendment of the constitution.an it goes much deeper.take a good look at these blacks up close,an personel.an you will find an oriole.black on the outside,white on the inside.these blacks at know fault of thier own.suffer from the willie lynch syndrome.they do not think for themselfs,an care not to.as long as mr.charle keeps thier heads above water.in mr.charles eyes these are boys,an girls.for him to have at will,an for his pleasures.because mr.charle looks not at them as men,an women.why because he holds his head down,an never make eye contact with mr.charle .straighten your back bone boys ,an girls.so keep a close eye on these orioles.they will cost you your life.or put you in the modern day slave ship.prison!
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By: IPress on 12/13/2007 2:57AM
I love the fact that Dr. Ian is challenging us to be healthier human beings. However, I can't support State Farm Insurance company. Not after how they dumped the victims of hurrican Katrina, those people are still not being paid the money they are owed from that company. I do read Dr. Ian's advice, but as my own little private boycott, I will not join the challenge as long as State Farm is involved.
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