FitMethod

The other day I noticed that one of my coworkers had a pedometer clipped to her shorts and I asked her what it was for. She told me that she was using it to spread the word about the 50 Million Pound Challenge. I asked her to elaborate. She explained to me that its a national campaign meant to fight obesity in the African American community. It was organized by Dr. Ian Smith from VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club. The campaign is centered around providing participants with information about weight loss and pedometers. Participants have to use the pedometers and the other free resources to meet weight loss objectives. The overall goal is for all of the participants to collectively lose 50 million pounds. Anyone can join the challenge simply by receiving a free startup kit from a participating StateFarm agent.

I think that the challenge is a great idea. Weight loss is a life-changing experience and its not easy. However, having such a big support network can be a big help, knowing that there are many out there doing the same thing and going through the same hurdles. Also, the fact that the challenge is meant to raise awareness about a national epidemic, means that participants have an extra incentive to stick with it. It means that they are working to achieve better lifes for themselves and for the entire community as a whole.

The campaign should do a bit more to get the word out about the challenge. Its a wonderful idea that more people should be made aware of.