2005 Healthy BET Fitness Challenge Finalists Begin 12-Week Challenge Phase

2005 Healthy BET Fitness Challenge Finalists Begin 12-Week Challenge Phase

Teams Are Given Necessary Tools and Support to Meet Their Fitness Goals

WASHINGTON, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a vigorous five-day fitness program, the final four teams in the 2005 Healthy BET Fitness Challenge are ready to embark on their 12-week journey toward healthier lifestyles. The BET Foundation along with General Mills brands Honey Nut Cheerios(R) and Chex Cereals(R) hosted the educational and fitness session in Santa Monica, California, as part of this year's event. The national weight-loss and fitness competition launched on January 24, and will handsomely reward the teams that meet their objectives at the end of the 12-week "challenge phase."

The eight fitness challenge finalists are paired into four teams: Kimberly Brant and Kele' Willis (Columbus, Ohio); Andrea Young and Marlo Britton (Champaign, Illinois); Eva Green and Na'Tasha Stewart (Mebane, North Carolina); and Retesha Thadison and Kendra Belser (Champaign, Illinois). During their five-day fitness preparation program, the teams participated in specially-tailored seminars which focused on healthier meal preparation, personal fitness evaluations, and effectively incorporating physical exercise into their overall lifestyles.

Enlisting her expertise and assistance during the 12-week challenge is renowned Hollywood fitness expert and Healthy BET spokesperson, Jeanette Jenkins. Jenkins helped the teams identify and establish their fitness goals during their Santa Monica training session and will provide on-going support throughout the competition. "We have an incredible group of eight women dedicated to changing their lifestyles," stated Jeanette Jenkins, celebrity fitness trainer. "Like many Americans battling obesity, they need the right information and the motivation. After providing them with these tools, I'm confident that each one will be successful in their weight loss goals."

To help jumpstart their fitness quests, the teams received a surprise visit from Academy Award-nominated actress and Jeanette Jenkins' client Queen Latifah, who motivated and encouraged the women to lose weight in a positive, healthy way. Lady Foot Locker representatives were on hand to provide fitness clothing and athletic shoes for the participants, who tested out their gear in a grueling training session on the famed Santa Monica stairs. The teams also received a three-month health club membership; access to a local team trainer for one month; and a generous supply of Honey Nut Cheerios(R), Chex Cereals(R) and other General Mills products. The teams that meet 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.

The BET Foundation's goal is to promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits to reduce the occurrence of obesity among African-Americans. The BET Foundation includes a variety of components such as public service announcements, seminars, a dedicated toll-free hotline and website, brochures, and a national weight-loss competition to educate the public on healthy living. "Through the effective execution of these various elements, we hope to equip the public with the tools and information necessary to curb the rise of obesity-related health problems," stated Lynda Dorman, executive director of the BET Foundation. "The BET Foundation is dedicated to its healthy lifestyle campaign and hopes communities will continue to be open to positive change."

ABOUT BET FOUNDATION

The BET Foundation is a non-profit organization created to raise public awareness to the numerous health-related challenges within African-American communities. Established in 2003, the Foundation takes a pioneering step in addressing one of the leading behavioral-attributed health concerns among African-American women and families, obesity-related health concerns. Through specifically-tailored initiatives and targeted campaigns, the BET Foundation aims to insure that African Americans live longer and healthier lives. The BET Foundation includes public service announcements (PSAs); targeted programming segments; seminars and health forums; health brochure materials; a dedicated toll-free hotline and website; and a nationwide Healthy BET Fitness Challenge contest to provide the tools and knowledge necessary for communities to develop long lasting healthy lifestyle habits. For more information, please visit http://www.ahealthybet.com/.

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.

ABOUT LADY FOOT LOCKER

Lady Foot Locker is part of Foot Locker, Inc., an athletic specialty retailer that operates approximately 4,000 stores in 18 countries in North America, Europe and Australia. Through its Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker and Champs Sports retail stores, as well as its direct-to-customer channel Footlocker.com/Eastbay, the Company is the leading provider of athletic footwear and apparel.

ABOUT JEANETTE JENKINS / THE HOLLYWOOD TRAINER

Jeanette Jenkins is one of the country's leading fitness experts. Her passion for fitness began as a teenager and her dedication has never wavered. She is the president of a successful company, The Hollywood Trainer, LLC, which produces and distributes home fitness videos. She has motivated and inspired thousands of people across country to improve the quality of their lives through health and fitness. She has appeared on Extra, Good Day Live, Best Damn Sports Show ... Period, VH1, The Food Network, and been featured in the L.A. Times, Self, Fitness, People, Us Weekly, In-Style, Women's Health and Fitness, etc. For more information about Jeanette Jenkins visit http://www.thehollywoodtrainer.com/.

Source: BET Foundation

CONTACT: Lyntina Townsend of BET Foundation, +1-202-608-2745, or lyntina.townsend@bet.net

Web site: http://www.bet.com/ http://www.ahealthybet.com/ http://www.thehollywoodtrainer.com/

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