City of Edinburg joins Challenge RGV

Community Health Challenge is in its 15th season of promoting healthy lifestyles

Edinburg, TX - The City of Edinburg, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville, and the City of Brownsville are excited to bring The Challenge-RGV 2024, a healthy weight-loss and lifestyle change initiative to the Upper Valley! This year marks the 15th season of The Challenge-RGV, and the opportunities are expanding to Hidalgo County residents, thanks to a new collaboration with the City of Edinburg. A press conference will kick off The Challenge on Thursday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. at Edinburg City Hall, 415 W. University Drive.

The Challenge-RGV provides people with the tools and opportunities to make sustainable, healthy lifestyle changes and lose weight when appropriate. Over the course of three months, participants have free access to gyms, exercise classes, health screenings, cooking classes, and outdoor fitness opportunities.

"We are excited to welcome The Challenge-RGV to our city and provide our residents with an incredible opportunity for positive, sustainable lifestyle changes. This collaboration underscores our commitment to promoting health and well-being in our community," Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. said.

Monetary incentives and other prizes will be awarded to groups and individuals who lose the highest percentage of weight over the three-month period (January – end of April) Categories include individual, small team, and large team. Anyone losing 5% or more of their weight by the end of The Challenge will be eligible for drawings for cash prizes. In addition to free access to gyms, fitness, cooking classes, and support groups, participants can also choose to receive weekly motivational text messages and access web-based support.

Mayor Garza emphasized the importance of this initiative in promoting a healthier and more active community, saying, "The Challenge-RGV aligns perfectly with our vision for a healthier Edinburg. By fostering a culture of wellness and providing accessible resources, we aim to inspire positive transformations in the lives of our residents."

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez, Director of the City of Brownsville Health and Wellness Department and co-founder of The Challenge-RGV, shares, “The City of Brownsville is committed to offering its residents opportunities to improve their health. The Challenge is a fun and free way for folks to learn about small changes that can greatly impact health and well-being. We look forward to an opportunity to bring our communities together to celebrate health.”

The Challenge-RGV organizers emphasize that The Challenge is not about excessive weight loss, fad diets, or extreme measures.

“Research shows that the healthiest way to lose weight and maintain it is to lose no more than 1-3 pounds a week by adding more physical activity, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and reducing sugar and unhealthy carbohydrate consumption,” Rodriguez said.

Dr. Belinda Reininger, Dean of the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, based in Brownsville, agrees with Gowen about the economic impact over the years. “Our economy is positively impacted when we improve the health of our community members, reducing the cost of chronic diseases which are related to overweight and obesity, like diabetes and hypertension, and improving the quality of life.”

Join the movement for health and take The Challenge-RGV in 2024.

Edinburg Press Conference to Launch The Challenge-RGV
When: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Time: 10 a.m.
Where: Edinburg City Hall, 415 W. University Dr., Edinburg, TX

Brownsville Kick-off Weigh-in Event:
When: Saturday, January 20, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Linear Park next to Brownsville Farmers’ Market

Edinburg Kick-off Weigh-in Event:
When: Saturday, January 27, 2024
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Where: Edinburg City Hall, 415 W. University Dr., Edinburg, TX

For more information and online pre-registration, find The Challenge-RGV on Facebook and Instagram @thechallengergv.

*You must be 18 years or older to participate officially in The Challenge-RGV. However, families are encouraged to set healthy goals together for 2022. You may not officially be part of the competition if you have had weight loss surgery in the last 12 months or if you are pregnant or underweight. Participants should see their doctor before starting any new exercise or weight-loss program.

Contacts: Esmeralda Flores, City of Brownsville, (956) 542-3437, Esmeralda.flores@brownsvilletx.gov

Lisa Mitchell-Bennett, UTHealth, (956) 466-5657, Lisa.mitchell-bennett@uth.tmc.edu