ORGANISERS of the newly-formed charity Live Healthy Bermuda Foundation are calling on Bermudians to join the second annual 100 Day Challenge starting later this month.

The three-month challenge, which is part of the national programme in the United States, Live Healthy America, is a team-based weight loss and physical activity programme that helps individuals and teammates make positive changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle through increased physical activity and improved nutrition.

National programmes such as these are aimed at improving the overall health of the community, which is in dire straits, according to recent statistics. Last year, the Department of Health released information showing that 40 per cent of adults are overweight and 24 per cent are classified as obese.The successful 2008 launch of the programme saw 2,300 people collectively lose more than 7,300 pounds and complete more than 50,000 hours of activity. This year's challenge, beginning on January 23 and running through May 2, will feature a new children's programme starting on February 1.

"Bermuda's success last year was truly remarkable and inspiring," Troy Vincent, director of Live Healthy America, said.

"Every time I give a presentation, I cite Bermuda as an example of what a community, a country, can achieve in starting the change to a culture of wellness."

The challenge is organised by teams with friends, family members and co-workers who track weight loss and/or minutes of activity during the 100-day challenge. Team members report their progress on a weekly basis through the Live Healthy Bermuda web site.

"In addition to individual teams, we had quite a few companies who incorporated the 100 Day challenge into their organisation's wellness programme last year," Terry Faulkenberry, president of the Live Healthy Bermuda Foundation, said. "These companies were able to personalise their web site with their name and logo and view their own company's leaderboard. It was a fun way to get fit and generated a lot of friendly competition."

Even though the Foundation is still in its infancy, it has grown to now include children, who were not targeted last year. Reaching out to children to change their mindsets early is a goal the group hopes to achieve.

"We hope we can start to get this message to our kids as well," Mr. Faulkenberry added. "This year we will also be launching the Live Healthy Bermuda Kids programme which will run from February 1 to May 2, 2009."

The 13-week programme is designed to encourage youth to increase their physical activity levels and make better food choices. It is also a positive way to teach kids about the importance of being physically active and show them ways to make fitness fun. Monetary awards will be given out to schools and organisations to be used towards a new playground equipment or physical education classes.

Also new this year is the group's partnership with one of the largest fundraising charities on the island – the Bermuda End-to-End. The final day of the challenge coincides with the Catlin End-to-End annual fundraising walk and the Live Healthy Foundation hopes that the 24-mile trek will be a goal for many participants.

"We are thrilled to have the Bermuda End-to-End as a partner this year," Mr. Faulkenberry said. "The 100 Day challenge is a perfect platform for any type of training. For those individuals hoping to participate in the annual walk this year, the End-to-End will provide links to training programmes and your activity can be tracked through the Live Healthy web site."

The Bermuda End-to-End will also help launch the 100 Day Challenge in the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, January 24. Participants will be able to meet with other sporting and fitness organisations as well as vendors offering healthy food choices. A one-mile walk and an aerobics class will also be happening.

"Everyone leads a busy life and you may not feel like you have time for a healthy lifestyle," Mr. Faulkenberry said.

"With Live Healthy Bermuda you don't have to change all at once or try to 'fit' in more. Your lifestyle is a series of choices and by changing the choices you already make everyday, you can change your life."

Teams can now sign up for the challenge via the Live Healthy Bermuda web site www.livehealthybermuda.org. For more information on the children's programme, log onto www.livehealthybermudakids.org.