HispanicBusiness

WASHINGTON, DC--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--April 5, 2005--Join Mayor Phil Gordon as he declares April 11th “Milk Your Diet” day and encourages Phoenix residents to take the Great American Weight Loss Challenge, a 12-week plan that provides tools to lose weight in a healthy way.

The Great American Weight Loss Challenge is stopping in Phoenix as part of a 75-city, cross-country campaign that’s giving residents a chance to learn about research that shows a connection between milk and weight loss and provides them with a plan for putting the research into action. This initiative is also part of several efforts by the Hispanic got milk? campaign to help battle obesity, which affects a over a third of Hispanics in the U.S.*

At events, residents can take advantage of a variety of free activities, including:

-- Free health assessments including body mass index readings and more

-- Free milk from local dairy processors

-- Fitness tips from Curves

-- Milk Mustache photo souvenir

-- The city with the highest participation will win $25,000 and be featured in a city-wide Milk Mustache ad that will appear in Ladies Home Journal

-- Sign up for the challenge on-site and take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle

Great American Weight Loss Challenge events will be hosted in the following locations:

Women’s Expo, April 9- 10:00-6:00pm**
Phoenix Civic Plaza
111 N 3rd St., Phoenix
Tickets $8; $7 seniors 60+; 5 & under free

Women’s Expo, April 10- 10:00-6:00pm**
Phoenix Civic Plaza
111 N 3rd St., Phoenix
Tickets $8; $7 seniors 60+; 5 & under free

Safeway Store, April 12- 11:00-1:00pm
1515 E Elliot Rd, Tempe

Safeway Store, April 12- 5:00-7:00pm
4005 E Chandler Blvd, Phoenix

The Great American Weight Loss Challenge was developed by nationally-recognized weight-loss expert, Pamela Peeke, MD, MDH. The Great American Weight Loss Challenge is a 12-week, reduced-calorie healthy eating plan that includes drinking 24 ounces of milk every 24 hours.

The plan is based off of numerous studies that show a connection between milk and weight loss. Specifically, it’s the mix of essential nutrients found in milk, such as calcium and protein that help improve the body’s ability to burn fat.

For more information on this emerging research, log on to 2424leche.com or to register for the 12-week plan, visit 2424milk.com.

* Centers for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics, 2004
** Bilingual Registered Dietitian available