DISAD Discovery Communications, (MM)

- The Sixth Annual Multiplatform Challenge Heats Up With the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE Competition Television Series Airing January 5-9 - SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Breaking up is hard to do-but with the sixth annual NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE, Discovery Health eases the transition with all of the tools to help Americans ditch their bad habits and gain a healthier lifestyle in 2009. America's largest and most comprehensive multiplatform fitness and weight loss initiative, NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE, once again provides participants unprecedented resources and support -- online, on television and beyond -- for getting into shape, entirely free of charge. Registration for the eight-week challenge begins December 29, 2008, at discoveryhealth.com -- and on January 5-9, Discovery Health airs the inspirational NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE programming special, a five-part competition series that promises to keep participants motivated and on track to achieve their goals. For a sneak peek of NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7JEgLeUVi8&feature=channel_page Emotions run high during the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE competition series, a weeklong programming event airing January 5-9 at 8 PM (ET/PT) on Discovery Health. This year's Challenge features two competing teams, each consisting of three severely overweight individuals, as they struggle to lose weight and regain their lives. Led by health and fitness expert Dr. Lydie Hazan, along with personal trainers from Bally Total Fitness(R), a nutrition consultant and a therapist, the participants are put on comprehensive diet and exercise plans and have just six months to trade in a lifetime of bad habits with a healthy new way of living. This year's NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE contestants are a diverse group, ranging from a partying musician to an athlete-turned-couch-potato to a decadent chef. Throughout the exhausting boot-camp workouts and tough nutritional challenges, viewers will see friendships forged, setbacks shared and milestones conquered. When the six months of sweat, tears, celebration and confrontation conclude, the team that lost the greatest percentage of body weight will take home the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE grand prize -- and win back the healthy person inside them. The heart of the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE is its online home at discoveryhealth.com. The all-inclusive free site offers the following invaluable tools and information designed to guide participants to success each step of the way: -- A free 30-day pass to Bally Total Fitness(R) available beginning December 29, good for use at any of the health club's over 300 locations nationwide beginning January 3, 2009* -- Access to customizable meal and fitness plans and personalized weight and fitness trackers -- More than 1,000 healthy recipes and meal plans provided by Eating Well -- Extensive information and video content from renowned experts, including health and fitness expert Dr. Pamela Peeke and fitness guru Gilad -- Community tools, including user-generated blogs, message boards and regular chat sessions providing 24/7 support from successful Challengers and experts Participants can get moving with NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE anytime with Discovery Health's video on demand and mobile phone offerings, where they'll find motivational and informational programs and tips focused on nutrition, weight loss and exercise. In addition to the interactive elements and television component, on January 10 and 11, the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE hits the road to bring the fun and excitement to residents of Los Angeles, Chicago and New York/New Jersey. Discovery Health will be invading local malls to make sure that people are starting 2009 right. Each location will feature NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE experts and fitness leaders offering tips, leading demos and firing up the crowds, as well as free goodies (while supplies last) and prizes for the whole family. For more information on events in these markets, please visit discoveryhealth.com. NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE is made possible by Carnation(R) Instant Breakfast(R) Complete Nutritional Drink, JELL-O pudding and gelatin and Bally Total Fitness(R). LMNO Productions, Inc., produces the NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE series on behalf of Discovery Health. Eric Schotz and Kathy Williamson serve as executive producers for LMNO Productions, Inc. Executive producer for Discovery Health is Lisa Lucas. * Bally Pass: No purchase necessary. Certain other restrictions may apply. Additional charges for some services. Bally terms and conditions apply. To redeem 30-day Bally Total Fitness membership, must be U.S. citizen, at least 18 and not a current member. 30-day pass is available to download only from 12/29/08 until 1/16/09 at 11:59 p.m. and is effective from 1/3/09 through 3/8/09 only. See discoveryhealth.com for full terms and conditions. About Discovery Health Discovery Health Media includes the Discovery Health and FitTV television networks and online assets including http://www.discoveryhealth.com/, as well as its Continuing Medical Education (CME) business and Discovery's first stand-alone VOD service, Discovery Health On-Call. Discovery Health Media is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ:DISADNASDAQ:DISBDNASDAQ:DISCK), the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com/. NATIONAL BODY CHALLENGE hi-res photography is available at http://www.press.discovery.com/ DATASOURCE: Discovery Health CONTACT: Shannon Martin of Discovery Health, +1-240-662-3004, Web site: http://www.discoveryhealth.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7JEgLeUVi8&feature=channel_page

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