Wrigley's Extra(R) Inspires Americans to Join Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum(TM) Challenge and Makes Multi-Episode Appearance on NBC's 'The Biggest Loser'

Wrigley's Extra(R) Inspires Americans to Join Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum(TM) Challenge and Makes Multi-Episode Appearance on NBC's 'The Biggest Loser'

Americans challenged to collectively walk 100,000 miles and cut 10 million calories

CHICAGO, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As contestants compete in the fourth season of NBC's hit reality show "The Biggest Loser," they will be chewing Wrigley's long-lasting Extra gum as part of the first-ever integration between the show and the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. Extra gum will be featured as a great-tasting and low-calorie treat that can help contestants meet their weight-management goals.

During their 100 days on campus, 18 "The Biggest Loser" contestants are encouraged by trainers and dieticians to chew Wrigley's Extra gum in place of a high-calorie snack, while preparing meals to avoid mindless munching and in stressful situations to avoid over-eating.

And to help viewers get the benefits alongside contestants, Wrigley is challenging Americans to step it up with Extra gum and collectively cut 10 million calories and walk 100,000 miles in Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum(TM) Challenge.

"'The Biggest Loser' was a life-changing transformation for me, but it all comes down to making changes in small steps -- I chew a five calorie stick of Extra gum instead of reaching for a brownie or cookie in the afternoon, and park farther away from the store to walk more," says Marty Wolff, former contestant on "The Biggest Loser," Season 3. "That's why I'm partnering with Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum Challenge -- to motivate Americans to take steps toward a happier, healthier lifestyle."

Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum(TM) Challenge

Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum Challenge encourages Americans to make two simple adjustments to their daily lives to help achieve a healthy lifestyle: 1) Walk more steps each day (2,000 steps is about one mile) 2) cut calories by chewing a flavorful, long-lasting piece of Extra gum in place of a high-calorie snack.

   -- Participants can record and track their progress at      http://www.gumisgood.com/walkandchewgum. The site also provides      additional resources to help participants achieve their goals.   -- The first 2,000 eligible participants who sign up will receive a      starter kit, complete with a pedometer, a water bottle and samples of      new long-lasting Extra(R) Supermint(TM) gum. Each week they'll be able      to log the number of steps they've taken using the pedometer and the      number of calories cut by replacing a high-calorie snack with chewing      gum.  [The offer is only good in the U.S.]   -- At the conclusion of the 100-day challenge, eligible participants will      be entered for a chance to win a long-lasting prize to accelerate their      lifestyle changes -- an uplifting makeover including one week with a      personal trainer and chef, a one-year gym membership, and a year's      supply of Wrigley's Extra chewing gum, available in 10 long-lasting      flavors.  [Only U.S. residents who are over 18 are eligible.]    

"This is a challenge with far-reaching potential, so people from all walks of life and at all points in their weight-management programs can not only participate, but benefit from," says Molly Gee, RD, M.Ed., Baylor College of Medicine. "'The Biggest Loser' can inspire people to think about their lifestyle choices and Wrigley's Walk and Chew Gum Challenge can, in turn, give them a way to take immediate action."

Chew Gum to Help Cut Calories

At five to 10 calories a piece, chewing gum can easily be used as a tool for managing weight:

   -- To help relieve life's everyday stresses.   -- In place of a high-calorie snack.   -- While cooking -- to keep from nibbling during meal preparation.   -- Between meals or when feeling the urge to splurge on high-calorie      snacks.   -- While walking -- chewing new long-lasting Extra Supermint gum provides      a great-tasting boost that lasts through any walking workout.    

In fact, an initial study published in 2007 in Appetite found that chewing gum before an afternoon snack can help reduce hunger, diminish cravings for sweets and decrease snack consumption by 36 calories. Experts agree that even cutting small amounts of calories can have a big impact.

In addition to helping diet and weight management, research suggests chewing gum also can positively impact focus and concentration, stress relief and oral health. The Wrigley Science Institute is committed to advancing and sharing scientific research that explores the benefits of chewing gum.

About Extra(R) Gum

Featured in "The Biggest Loser" on NBC, every Tuesday at 8/7 central, new Wrigley's Extra Supermint gum features cool blue flavor beads for a refreshingly smooth long-lasting chewing gum experience.

About the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company (WWY)

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, lollipops, and chocolate. The Company has global sales of nearly $4.7 billion and distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries. Three of these brands -- Wrigley's Spearmint(R), Juicy Fruit(R), and Altoids(R) -- have heritages stretching back more than a century. Other well-loved brands include Doublemint(R), Life Savers(R), Big Red(R), Boomer(R), Pim Pom(R), Winterfresh(R), Extra(R), Freedent(R), Hubba Bubba(R), Orbit(R), Excel(R), Creme Savers(R), Eclipse(R), Airwaves(R), Solano(R), Sugus(R), P.K.(R), Cool Air(R) and 5(TM).

   For more information, contact:   Lauren Pankhurst                     Kelly McGrail   Edelman on behalf of Wrigley         Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company   312-233-1290                         312-645-4754   lauren.pankhurst@edelman.com         kelly.mcgrail@wrigley.com  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: Elly.Hawrot@edelman.com

Source: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company

CONTACT: Kelly McGrail of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, +1-312-645-4754,
kelly.mcgrail@wrigley.com; or Lauren Pankhurst of Edelman, +1-312-233-1290,
lauren.pankhurst@edelman.com, for Wrigley

Web site: http://www.gumisgood.com/walkandchewgum

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Profile: International Entertainment