Building on the success of last year's 100-Day Challenge, the Live Healthy Bermuda Foundation today announced the launch of a second competition for 2009.

Last year's challenge included more than 2,300 adults representing more than 380 teams. It saw over 7,300 pounds shed and 50,000 hours of physical activity recorded,

This year, children are being invited to participate in the event, which concludes on the day of the annual Catlin End-to-End.

"Bermuda's success last year was truly remarkable and inspiring," said Live Healthy America Director, Troy Vincent. "Every time I give a presentation, I cite Bermuda as an example of what a community, a country, can achieve in starting the change to a culture of wellness."

The Live Healthy Bermuda 100-Day Challenge is a team-based weight loss and physical activity programme designed to help individuals lead a healthier lifestyle through increased physical activity and improved nutrition.

It was first run last year and is based on a US programme, Live Healthy America.

Participants receive a training T-shirt and have a chance to win prizes and incentives throughout the challenge.

They also receive weekly activity, nutrition, and recipe tips via e-mail, a personal online tracking page, and access to the Island's team leaderboard.

In addition, participants have access to special online resource and nutrition information.

Friends, family members and co-workers form teams that track weight loss and/or minutes of activity during the event.

Team members report their progress on a weekly basis through the Live Healthy Bermuda website.

President of Live Healthy Bermuda Foundation Terry Faulkenberry said: "In addition to individual teams, we had quite a few companies who incorporated the 100-Day challenge into their organisation's wellness programme last year. It was a fun way to get fit and generated a lot of friendly competition."

The 100-Day Challenge is to be supported by the Bermuda End-to-End organisation this year – the 100th day coincides with the Catlin End-to-End.

"We are thrilled to have the Bermuda End-to-End as a partner this year," Mr. Faulkenberry said. "The 100-Day challenge is a perfect platform for any type of training. "For those individuals hoping to participate in the annual walk this year, the End-to-End will provide links to training programmes and your activity can be tracked through the Live Healthy Website.

"In addition, the Bermuda End-to-End will help launch the 100-Day Challenge in the Botanical Gardens on January 24.

"Participants can meet with other sporting and fitness organisations as well as vendors offering healthy food choices. They can get a head start on their activity minutes by following a one-mile track through the park."

Added Bermuda End-to-End Foundation chairperson Anne Mello: "Everyone behind the Catlin End-to-End event believes in health for the entire community and the 100-Day Challenge is a fantastic way to address this."

Continued Mr. Faulkenberry: "Everyone leads a busy life and you may not feel like you have time for a healthy lifestyle.

"With Live Healthy Bermuda you don't have to change all at once or try to 'fit' in more. Your lifestyle is a series of choices and by changing the choices you already make everyday, you can change your life."

The 100-Day Wellness Challenge starts January 23 for adults and February 1 for kids.

Both events end May 2. For more information log onto www.livehealthybermudakids.org. or www.livehealthybermuda.org where teams are now invited to sign up and choose a name.