2005 Healthy BET Fitness Challenge Launches January 24

2005 Healthy BET Fitness Challenge Launches January 24 'The Hollywood Trainer' Jeanette Jenkins Joins BET Foundation Effort to Reduce Obesity Among African Americans WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a brand new year and the BET Foundation along with General Mills brands Honey Nut Cheerios(R) and Chex Cereals(R) hopes to inspire a brand new commitment to healthy lifestyles with the 2005 Healthy BET Fitness Challenge. The national weight loss and fitness competition launches on January 24, and boasts fabulous prizes for the winning teams along with a chance to train with "The Hollywood Trainer" Jeanette Jenkins, the new official spokesperson for the Healthy BET campaign. Jenkins, whose superstar clientele includes rapper/actress Queen Latifah and some professional athletes, is one of the country's leading fitness professionals, known best for her cutting-edge style, results-driven techniques and supreme ability to motivate. To enter, teams of two should pair up; log on to http://www.ahealthybet.com/; upload a team photograph; and describe in 150 words or less why their team should be chosen as one of four Healthy BET Fitness Challenge finalists. Winners of the initial selection process will be chosen based on the quality of their essay, originality and a well- communicated commitment to making healthy lifestyle changes. The four teams selected will journey to Hollywood for an in-depth five- day/four-night training session with Jenkins. Jenkins will evaluate each team to establish weight loss and exercise goals for the participants. Training sessions will also provide valuable information on key healthy living basics - - How to Stock Your Home with Nutritious Foods; How to Prepare Delicious, Low- Fat Meals; How to Eat Healthy While Dining Out; and How to Exercise at Home. "There are no gimmicks with this kind of health and fitness effort," said Jenkins, who will be featured in a promotional campaign and fitness vignettes on the BET Network. "To generate consistent, long-lasting results, we'll challenge all participants to not just adopt healthy eating habits, but to also completely revamp their lifestyles to make exercise a permanent part of their daily routines." Once the initial training sessions with Jenkins are complete, each team member will receive a three-month health club membership; access to a local team trainer for one month; and an ample supply of Honey Nut Cheerios(R), Chex(R) Cereals and other General Mills products. During the ensuing 12-week "challenge phase" of the competition, teams will correspond with Jenkins on their results as well as consult with her on maintaining progress towards their goals. At the end of the 12-week effort, teams will be evaluated to determine whether they've met their objectives. All teams reaching their collective goals will receive a three-day/two-night trip to the 2005 BET AWARDS at Hollywood's famed Kodak Theatre, including airfare, hotel and $500 spending money for each team member. ABOUT BET BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B), is the nation's leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches more than 79 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is a dominant consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded businesses: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks - BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, specializing in a full range of event production services, including event management, venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production; and BET Books, the nation's leading publisher of African-American themed romance novels under the Arabesque imprint which also publishes compelling fiction under the Sepia imprint and inspirational fiction and nonfiction under the New Spirit imprint. ABOUT GENERAL MILLS General Mills, with annual net sales of $10.8 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer food products. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills is also a leading supplier of baking and other food products to foodservice and commercial baking industries. Source: BET (Black Entertainment Television) CONTACT: Michael Lewellen of BET, +1-202-608-2003, or michael.lewellen@bet.net Web site: http://www.bet.com/ http://www.ahealthybet.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment