Health is wealth and Gatorade, World’s No. 1 sports drink understands this very well. Statistically, Malaysia has the highest percentage of obesity in Asia – with 17.7% of the population being obese whilst 30% of the population being categorised as overweight [1]. To combat this and in view of a healthier nation, Gatorade organised the ‘Body Makeover Challenge 2016’ in partnership with Celebrity Fitness and Prince Court Hospital, a 3-month reality fitness program to help and inspire contestants to get in shape by exercising and practicing a healthy diet while understanding the importance of replenishing, rehydrating and refuelling with fluids after a workout.
Throughout the month of August 2016, Gatorade carried out a recruitment process to select 100 candidates for this program. Open to all Malaysians, all contestants were required to take a BMI test and submit a compelling story highlighting their motivation as well as level of determination to lose weight and get fit. The contestants were then interviewed by panellists from Gatorade, Celebrity Fitness and New Straits Times before being shortlisted in an audition held at Jaya One Celebrity Fitness on 3 September 2016. Out of 100 candidates, 12 were shortlisted to join the body makeover challenge, a 12-week training program held at Jaya One Celebrity Fitness and Nu Sentral Celebrity Fitness to encourage finalists to exercise and eat right in order to achieve a healthy weight.
“Gatorade is all about supporting people who lead an active lifestyle thus, this program is very closely associated to the essence of Gatorade’s brand and we are delighted to be able to help the contestants understand the importance of exercise and a well-balanced diet in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle. The participation has been overwhelming and we are extremely happy with the support that we have received for this program. Through encouragement and motivation from the program, we hope to see the contestants pushing their limits and achieving their fitness goals but most importantly motivating the public to embark on a fitness journey too”, said Etika Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Permanis Sandilands Sdn Bhd) Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, Hemalatha Ragavan.
To ensure a complete and successful program, the 12 shortlisted contestants have been divided into two teams with a fitness trainer from Celebrity Fitness assigned to each group for a period of 3 months commencing from 13 September 2016. At the same time, participants were also educated on the importance of consuming sports beverages such as Gatorade which is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to rehydrate the body faster compared to water and provide energy after a workout.
“It is very important for contestants to be guided through a fitness program and equipped with all the latest fitness techniques especially if they have not exercised in a long time as the wrong exercises can lead to injuries and hamper their goals. We look forward to work with all 12 contestants and helping them to reach their desired goals. At the same time, it is also important for the contestants to learn about nutrition and to ensure they refuel themselves with adequate amount of fluid after each workout session”, said a fitness expert from Celebrity Fitness.
In addition, contestants also received dietary and nutrition guidance throughout the contest from Datin Dr. Farah, a certified professional dietician from Prince Court Hospital.
“In order to get fit and be healthy, proper nutrition is just as important as exercise. Participants need to ensure that they are eating the right food at the right time with sufficient amount of calories per day while at the same time, they also need to understand the importance of replenishing their bodies with nutrition post exercise. I am very excited to be part of this program and to advise the participants about a healthy well balanced diet”, shared Datin Dr. Farah.
To add on to the excitement, there will be cash and gym memberships awarded to participants who have achieved their fitness goals. The grand prize will be RM20,000 plus a year of free gym membership followed by RM10,000 plus a 6-month gym membership, RM5,000 plus a 6-month gym membership and RM2,000 plus a 3-month gym membership respectively for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners. These incentives will enable participants to continue their healthy and active lifestyle even once the program is over. The winners will be announced during the finale at One Utama Shopping Mall Concourse on 4 December 2016.
For more information on the Gatorade and future activities, please visit www.etikaholdings.com .
[1] National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 – Press Statement by Minister of Health Malaysia, 6 June 2016.
