The American Council on Exercise (ACE) Announces My Body, My Life Essay Contest

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 28, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's leading authority on fitness and the largest nonprofit fitness certification, education and training organization in the world, today announced the launch of its My Body, My Life Essay Contest on January 4, 2011, designed to uncover and share motivating stories of perseverance, hope and compassion behind people's desire to live at a healthier weight.  This contest is a consumer initiative in conjunction with ACE's national campaign against the obesity epidemic.

"Through My Body, My Life, we want to remind the public that weight loss is more than just a number on a scale or fitting into a pair of pants—it's about health, well-being and quality of life," said Scott Goudeseune, American Council on Exercise President and CEO.  "By achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, people are more likely to live a longer life and be more able to focus their energy on important things like family and friends.  We want to hear open and honest stories from anyone who has embarked on a fitness and weight loss journey, whether just starting out or having successfully achieved a personal goal."

To participate in the contest, individuals must submit a 500-word essay that explains the emotional and inspirational drive behind the desire to make a change through increased activity and weight loss and how that decision has changed or affected their lives.  Entries will be accepted between January 4 and January 31, 2011, and two grand prize winners will each receive a cash prize of $250 (USD).  Additionally, top essay submissions may be featured on the American Council on Exercise website at www.acefitness.org/getfit and used in public service announcements geared toward eliminating the dangerous and prevalent obesity epidemic in the United States.  Entrants must be 13-years or older and a U.S. resident.

For more information on the My Body, My Life Essay Contest and to submit a personal story, visit www.acefitness.org/contest for the full set of rules and regulations.

About the American Council on Exercise

The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America's premier certification, education and training organization, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of physical activity and protecting consumers against unsafe and ineffective fitness products and instruction. ACE sponsors university-based exercise science research and is the world's largest nonprofit fitness certifying organization. For more information on ACE and its programs, call (800) 825-3636 or log onto the ACE website at www.acefitness.org.

SOURCE American Council on Exercise