Jerry Hill, the founder of CrossFit Challenge, announced in an Aug. 25 press release that he is joining hundreds of other fitness companies and professionals in the U.S. in a challenge to Michael Moore, encouraging him and others in the nation to take part in a program of personal health and fitness.

The challenge itself is being launched by Jim Labadie and Ryan Lee, fitness marketing experts in North Palm Beach, Fla. In their call for citizens - as well as fitness clubs and fitness professionals - to join them in challenging Moore, Labadie and Lee posted a letter that explains the purpose of the challenge, as well as how people can be part of the Michael Moore Health Challenge.

Labadie and Lee are clear in their ultimate goal: to have a "strong positive impact on the health of the nation."

They unabashedly describe Michael Moore as "a walking advertisement for heart disease and diabetes," and challenge Moore to begin exercising and eating better "so he can become a better role model for preventative care."

Labadie and Lee assert that if Michael Moore and the rest of the country really want to make changes in the overall healthcare system, the focus needs to be on prevention of disease and illness through personal responsibility for one's health, rather than just looking outwardly at changing the healthcare system.

Hill's sentiments are similar. In his press release he says that "for too long we have relied on our national system to take care of us when many of our health problems can be prevented before it gets to a medical and very costly intervention level."

Labadie and Lee are asking that people everywhere send an e-mail or letter urging Michael Moore to accept the challenge and make a positive change in his health - not so he will look good in a bathing suit, but so he can take advantage of his influence as a national figure and be the best role model he can be. The publicity this would garner for Moore would no doubt do a tremendous amount of good for everyone.

Labadie and Lee provide the necessary addresses and believe that if enough messages are received and brought to the media's attention, Michael Moore will certainly become aware of the challenge and hopefully jump on board. "The message of prevention is what we want to spread," say the fitness experts.

According to Hill's press release, the Center for Disease Control's Michael Leavitt said that "changing the culture from one of treating sickness to staying healthy calls for small steps and good choices to be made each and every day." Hill and other fitness professionals believe that by getting behind the Michael Moore Health Challenge, they can help both children and adults embrace healthier lifestyles and make step-by-step changes in their fitness and nutrition. What this could mean for the country's healthcare system may be quite remarkable.

Sources:

Press release, Alexandria CrossFit Trainer Reveals the Michael Moore Fitness Challenge; http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb548999.htm

Labadie and Lee; http://michaelmoorehealthchallenge.com/

Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/361101/fitness_professionals_en...