FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Million Pound Challenge?
The Michigan Chronicle and its sister company Real Times Media are “sounding the alarm” and launching a health and fitness initiative that is designed to “give the gift of life”. We want to combat the health crisis that has resulted in the rising rate of obesity and other unhealthy habits that lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Being overweight is one of our nation’s top health problems, increasing the risk of life-threatening but preventable illness for more than 135 million Americans. This is a concern for everyone, but the African-American community has been hit particularly hard. Far too many African Americans are dying from diseases that are completely preventable. Every person in the community knows someone -- a father, mother, aunt or child -- who suffers from physical diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke or heart disease. The aim is to save lives by changing the lifestyle choices we make. We want people to learn about healthy living, and having healthier life styles. We launched The Million Pound Challenge Press Conference with Detroit’s Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and our dedicated sponsors in late August last year. The process is simple. You can officially sign up, find encouragement and track your progress within this website.
How can I sign up and participate in The Challenge? top
Click here to enroll online or visit one of our dedicated sponsors near you.
Can anyone sign up for The Challenge? top
The Challenge is free of charge and open to anyone who wants to participate. Children 6 to 17 years of age must be registered by a parent or guardian.
Is the program exclusive to African Americans? top
No. The Challenge is open to anyone who wants to participate. Being overweight is a problem that impacts everyone, and it is putting more than 135 million Americans at increased risk of life-threatening but preventable illness. We’re focusing on the African-American community because it has been particularly hard-hit – and is fighting back. The Challenge will give participants the tools and principles to lose the weight and get control back over a healthier lifestyle. Pulling together as a community, we can make a lasting difference.
How will we keep track of the million pounds? top
Participants’ starting weight will be entered when they begin the Challenge. Your weight will be updated each time you attend a citywide workout. The entries are totaled each time and the pounds lost are added to the total. A running total will appear on your homepage. Remember each participant will be weighed by a Million Pound Challenge representative at each citywide workout. An official MPC representative must record your official starting weight when you begin the program, and ending weight at the Grand Finale.
When are we aiming to meet the goal? top
You have a year to gain a healthy lifestyle and healthy living, but the rest of your life to keep it.
I need an email address to join The Challenge? top
Yes. You will use your email address to log in to The Challenge Web site and to receive weekly updates and information.
To sign up for your email account, please visit any of these providers:
MSN Hotmail
GMAIL (Google)
Yahoo! Mail
AOL
What is the check in procedure? Click here for details
What are the age requirements to participate in the Million Pound Challenge?top
Participants must be six (6) years of age or older. Children ages six to seventeen must have parent/guardian consent.
Do I have to go to each seminar and citywide workout to qualify to win the Grand prize? top
Anyone participating in the competition for the grand prize must sign in at the event to receive credit for participating. Each time you sign in as a participant, you will receive another entry into the grand prize drawing. The more you participate, the better your chances of winning. All Million Pound Challenge activities include: The Kick-off, six (6) Citywide Workouts, six (6) health seminars, one (1) Town Hall meeting and the Grand Finale.
Will all the sponsors have my personal information? top
Sponsors will only receive your contact information as a part of being a sponsor.
Do I need a consent form from my doctor? top
The Michigan Chronicle and its partners encourage participants to follow the advice of their physician or medical professional before beginning this, or any exercise program.
Will any of my personal information be displayed, and if so, what? top
Only you’re Screen Name and Total Weight Lost will be displayed.
I am registered, but I cannot log in. What can I do? top
The Million Pound Challenge website requires that cookies be enabled in your browser. If you repeatedly get bounced back to the login screen, with no message about an incorrect username or password, then this is caused by your browser not retaining your login information correctly. To fix this you need to troubleshoot your browser, so try the following:
1. Clear your cache. (Instructions below)
2. Check your Cookie settings. (Instructions below)
3. Quit your browser and restart it.
4. Use another browser
5. Double checks to make sure you do not have your Caps Lock on. The password field is case sensitive.
Note that if you have a firewall, you should check its cookie settings as well, to make sure it will allow the website cookies to be set. Check the manual or documentation for the firewall for information on this.
If none of the above work for you, please try these steps as a last resort.
1. Restart your computer.
2. Try a different computer.
3. Try a different Internet connection.