Concept:
The Triathlon Lifestyle Challenge is an innovative program of the Belize National Triathlon Association. The aim of the Lifestyle Challenge is to motivate families, friends, individuals, corporations, and other entities to engage in a healthier lifestyle. The program attempts to achieve this through participation in a ten-week long event where participants agree to adopt healthier eating habits and utilize exercise (particularly swimming, running, and cycling) as the key tools for improving their overall health and well being. 

How the Challenge Works?
The Triathlon Lifestyle Challenge will focus on improving key health indicators, particularly blood sugar level, cholesterol level, and body weight. Participants are encouraged to test for each of these areas at the launch and on the day of the final rally event. Results of the test will be recorded and maintained to help participants track their progress. Special rally events will be held every three weeks in an effort to provide participants with an opportunity to gauge their progress. The Rally events may include mini, non-competitive triathlon activities. Coaching, diet planning, and other counseling will be available in the interval periods to all registered participants.

What is the platform for Engaging the Triathlon Lifestyle?
Exercise (swimming, running, and cycling) coupled with healthy diets and eating habits will be the platform for engagement.  Participants will be supported in these regimes by the Belize National Triathlon Association and other participating sponsors (i.e. the Belize Diabetes Association, PAHO Belize, local gyms, dieticians, etc.).

How to Enroll?
Interested persons may sign up as individuals or as part of teams of 3, 4, or 5 persons. Team members may be members of a family, friends, co-workers, or any combination desired. Formal registration with the Belize National Triathlon Association is necessary and registration forms may be downloaded from this website (www.belizetriathlon.org), or picked up from the Association’s office or from participating gyms and agencies across the country. A registration fee of BZ$20.00 per person is payable ($60 for 3-person teams, $80 for 4-person teams, and $100 for 5-person teams). Registration covers the cost of all testing throughout the challenge period and participation in rally events.

Download Registration Form

How Can Agencies/Businesses Participate?
Interested agencies (i.e. the YMCA, YWCA, Women’s Department, Diabetes Association, Cancer Society, National Sports Council, etc.) and businesses (i.e. Belize Bank Ltd., Radisson Fort George Hotel, SMART, Body 2000, Launchpad Consulting, etc.) can register with the Belize National Triathlon Association as participating sponsors. Participating sponsors can engage and provide support to participants in a number of ways including but not limited to:

• encouraging and supporting the registration of employees and staff;
• introducing special cuisine (for restaurants) to their regular menus;
• offering special membership programs and exercise classes (for gyms);
• through the SALE of exercise equipment, bikes, etc.; and
• through sponsorship to the Belize National Triathlon Association in the form of cash and or in-kind for prizes to be distributed for achievers.

What are the Benefits of Participation?
All participants will be encouraged to and be supported in adopting the triathlon lifestyle (i.e. eating healthier and engaging in regular exercise). Persons who successfully complete the challenge and who follow the suggested program of engagement should achieve lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, lose weight, and improve their overall health condition generally.

Persons who successfully complete the Lifestyle Challenge will receive a free T-shirt and a certificate of completion. The Association will also attempt to secure prizes to offer to the individual and team which achieve the best results (i.e. most weight lost; largest drop in blood sugar and cholesterol levels; best improvement in Body Mass Index (BMI); etc.) Special ‘initiative’ prizes will be offered at the 30 interval rally events to encourage the continued engagement of participants.

Will Participants be supported during the Challenge?
The Belize National Triathlon Association in coordination with the Belize Diabetes Association and PAHO Belize will provide participants with opportunities for testing blood sugar levels, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and other related health indicators. Participants are also encouraged to use the following free portals– www.trainingpeaks.com (provides food, nutrition, and training tips), www.velod.com (useful for recording mileage). In addition the Association will provide information (distances, useful routes, etc.) for running, walking, and bicycling within Belize City; will provide weekly tips on diet, nutrition and training for all participants via email; and coaching tips at the various ‘Rally’ events. This information will also be posted to and be available on the Lifestyle Challenge webpage.

When will the Lifestyle Challenge be held?
The Triathlon Lifestyle Challenge will be launched September 2009. Registrations will open from 28th September 2009 and will officially launch with the OYE show on the morning of the 28th September. The first ‘Rally’ event will be held on Saturday 3rd October starting at 5:45 am at Belize Telemedia Park on Princess Margaret Drive. Other ‘Rally’ events are scheduled for 24th October and 14th November 2009. The event will culminate on 5th December 2009 with a non-competitive triathlon run off involving participants from the challenge.