With 7.4 million Australian adults classified as overweight or obese and those figures expected to increase by 50 per cent within five years*, the National Fat-Loss-a-Thon is a necessity for our nation’s health and wellbeing.
Obesity raises an individual’s chance of developing heart disease and diabetes or having a stroke, with Australian Diabetes estimating the financial cost of type 2 diabetes alone as $10.3 billion.
To help build a healthier and fitter country, the inaugural National Fat-Loss-a-Thon was set up by Sonja Falvo from Real Body Enterprises in Brisbane to help 4,000 Australians lose 24,000 kilos and raise $250,000 for The Sports Rewards Foundation between 1 January and 17 May, 2010.
Each participant in The National Fat-Loss-A-Thon will take part in a 12-week online program developed by Real Body Enterprises, with the chance to win more than $13,000 in cash and prizes.
The event is aimed at improving overall health and wellbeing, assisting in weight loss and providing simple and effective lifestyle changes, Ms Falvo explained.
“The National Fat-Loss-A-Thon will help to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits for the prevention of obesity, type II diabetes and heart disease,” Ms Falvo said.
“Next week is Healthy Weight Week (24-31 January) so it’s the perfect time for participants to join the Fat-Loss-a-Thon with some friends or business colleagues and put their health first.
“We aim to raise $250,000 for charity and improve the overall health and fitness of participants joining the 12-week health initiative,” she said.
Registration for the National Fat-Loss-A-Thon began on 1 January 2010 and entries remain open until 28 February, 2010. Participants will receive online access to information and guidelines on how to follow the 12-week Real Body Program, including recipes, meal plans and exercise programs. Ms Falvo wrote the program after two years of research and through her work with three nutritionists.
Entry is confirmed with a $10 donation to the Sports Rewards Foundation and each participant’s 12-week program must be completed by 17 May, 2010. Winners are judged 50 per cent on their physical results (from their before and after photos) and 50 per cent on personal questionnaire answers.
Prizes will be presented at a Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday, 19 June 2010, and The Sports Rewards Foundation will also be presented with the fundraising cheque at this event.
The National Fat-Loss-a-Thon is supported by the following sponsors:
Real Body Enterprises www.RealBodyEnterprises.com
PB Sports www.pbsportsnutrition.com
Swish Events www.swishcorporation.com
Strawberry Communications www.strawberrycommunications.com.au
Westpac www.westpac.com.au
Blooms Health www.bloomshealth.com.au
Hound Dog Graphics www.hounddoggraphics.com.au
Balanced Magazine www.balancedmedia.com.au
For more information visit www.fatlossathon.com and http://www.healthyweightweek.com.au/index.asp
* Australian Bureau of Statistics: Overweight and Obesity in Adults Australia 2004-2005, Catalogue 4719.0
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