BACKGROUND

Discovery Health’s National Body Challenge is an 8-week program designed to get you in shape with the support of your community and a free gym membership to Bally’s Total Fitness. When you register online you’ll have access to a team of health and fitness experts from Dr. Mehmet Oz to Jonathon Ross, The American Council on Exercise’s 2006 "Personal Trainer of the Year.” The challenge offers you inspiration and motivation from all fronts: television, online and out in the community. There is no hiding with this challenge. The support is plenty and ubiquitous. You are projected to lose 1-2 pounds each week as you cut back on calories and increase your physical activity. Don't let this sound low- that's the average for steady, healthy weight loss.

Discovery's Challenge is an annually event, which formally started this year on January 5, 2008 and will end eight weeks later. If you missed the start date, you can still register online and just be a few weeks behind everyone else. All the information will still be available to you. As part of your registration, you’ll receive

- Online customized meal plans with more than 1,000 recipes

- A personalized weight and activity tracker

- Information from doctors and health & fitness experts

- A free 8-week membership to Bally Total Fitness

- A fitness plan to meet your needs from FitTV trainer Gilad

- Eight weeks of free audio personal training from Podfitness, a weekly information packed e-newsletter

You can simply turn on the television and watch daily programs on the Discovery Health Challenge to stay inspired. Watch the Discovery Health themed show every day 12:00 p.m. EST as the show follows a group of individuals on their journeys toward weight loss and healthy living. At 4:00 p.m. EST, you can also watch health-conscious chefs cook great meals for your meal plan.

PRO

-Tons of support in your own community and beyond

- Nationally renowned health experts offer their best and most tested information, tips and advice for how to lose weight and keep it off

- Discovery Health’s National Body Challenge is a comprehensive and safe way to lose weight and get in shape

- Free program with complimentary membership to Bally's

CON

- Once the 8-week Discovery Health’s National Body Challenge is over, you are responsible for maintaining these lifestyle changes without the ongoing and constant support of the program

- Bally's gyms are not available in all areas

- Must have cable TV or satellite to watch the Discovery programs

FOOD and RECIPE

Discovery Health’s National Body Challenge is complete with a nutrition plan that is based upon 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. The meal plan uses healthy eating in combination with reduced caloric intake in order to guide you to eat foods that pack a powerful nutritional punch.

There are more 1000 recipes to choose from online as part of your registration. You alone or your entire family can use the plan even if they aren’t participating in the Challenge.

EXERCISE

There are two types of exercise plans to choose from with the National Body Challenge: a beginning and advanced. Each fitness plan includes a series of 13 "Express Workouts," 10 minutes or less, targeting different muscle groups. There are warm-up and cool-down routines to help you get the most out of the plan.

Discovery Health will have daily programming for the National Body Challenge participants daily at 7:00 a.m. EST with "Total Body Sculpt with Gilad," from fitness expert and personal trainer Gilad Janklowicz.

Online videos and VOD (or Videos on Demand) of Gilad’s workouts are also available on Discovery's site.

You will also receive a free 8-week membership to Bally’s Fitness as part of your registration.

EXPENSE

Discovery Health’s National Body Challenge is free, as is the membership to Bally's.

CONCLUSION

Discovery Health’s National Body Challenge sounds like a superb way to lose weight safely and effectively and establish long-term nutrition and exercise patterns that can be applied even when the 8-week challenge is over. For absolutely no cost, you receive some of the best nutrition and fitness information available and have access to online and televised support as you make your journey towards weight loss. For those of you who need the rah-rah of the village to help you achieve your fitness goals, this program can’t be beat.

COMMON MISSPELLINGS

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