Memphis Among 30 U.S. Cities to Host Inaugural Commitment Day Events on January 1, 2013

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the arrival of the holidays and New Year comes the perennial time when individuals consider making changes to lose weight, get fit and address any number of personal vices. Yet, as New Year’s resolutions tend to fade away, many already will have reverted to old behaviors by February.

“Our nation is at a breaking point with ever-rising obesity rates and the time for change is now”

This January 1, 2013, however, hundreds of thousands nationwide will go beyond making short-term resolutions in exchange for long-term commitments to healthy and active lifestyles. In the case of Tennessee residents, thousands will descend upon the FedExForum on January 1 at 10 a.m. CST for Commitment Day, marking the launch of a 365-day movement designed to unite all Americans in making personal commitments to a healthier way of life. The same will occur in 29 other U.S. cities with Americans participating in simultaneous 5K walk/run events, declaring their commitment and personal responsibility to make America healthier.

“Our nation is at a breaking point with ever-rising obesity rates and the time for change is now,” said Fred Philips, Race Director for the Memphis Commitment Day event. “According to a recent study by F as in Fat, about 30 percent of Tennessee’s population is considered obese, and the state consistently ranks at the top of the unhealthiest states in America. Commitment Day is all about inspiring a fitness revolution to urge all Americans to commit to a healthy and active way of life. It will be a day of epic proportions as hundreds of thousands of individuals join together in support of healthy eating, exercise, personal responsibility, giving and respect.”

All Commitment Day 5K walk/run will occur simultaneously at 8 a.m. PST, 9 a.m. MST, 10 a.m. CST, and 11 a.m. EST. The Memphis event will start and end at the FedExForum. Registration will open at 8 a.m. CST and the 5K will begin at 10 a.m. CST. All participants will receive a Limited Edition Commitment Day t-shirt and a 2013 Commemorative Commitment Journal to help track their progress for living a healthy lifestyle throughout the year.

As an added incentive, Commitment Day participants are encouraged to fundraise on behalf of the Commitment Day Founding Charity Partners, including Special Olympics, MusiCares, Folds of Honor and the Life Time Foundation.

As a Founding Charity of Commitment Day, the Life Time Foundation will expand its program designed to inspire healthier food in our nation’s schools to a new partner elementary school in Memphis. In line with the Commitment Day message, the Life Time Foundation seeks to improve children’s nutrition by focusing on removing 100 percent of bleached flour, processed sugar, food coloring, high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, trans fats, and hormones from the school lunch menu. Applications for the Memphis Life Time Foundation school lunch program now are being accepted online through February 28, 2013. Parents, teachers and other interested community members can encourage their elementary school to apply for the program by visiting http://www.ltffoundation.org. Selection of the winning school will be determined based on the highest percentage of parents that are willing to support these changes and support of the school’s administration and food services.

For more information or to register as a Founding Member of the Commitment Day movement, visit www.commitmentday.com.

About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
As The Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time Fitness (NYSE: LTM) helps organizations, communities and individuals achieve their total health objectives, athletic aspirations and fitness goals by engaging in their areas of interest – or discovering new passions – both inside and outside of Life Time’s distinctive and large sports, professional fitness, family recreation and spa destinations, most of which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Company’s Healthy Way of Life approach enables customers to achieve this by providing the best programs, people and places of uncompromising quality and value. As of December 12, 2012, the Company operated 105 centers under the LIFE TIME FITNESS® and LIFE TIME ATHLETIC(SM) brands in the United States and Canada. Additional information about Life Time centers, programs and services is available at lifetimefitness.com.