Lynchburg, VA (PRWEB) June 05, 2013

As Liberty University continues to establish itself as a health and wellness leader in the community, it is working with local leaders and other area institutions to find more ways to encourage healthy living.

For the second year, Liberty is encouraging students, faculty, and staff to take an active role in Live Healthy Lynchburg, a campaign sponsored by the city of Lynchburg that is committed to promoting overall wellness, including diet, exercise, education, and prayer.

Liberty has volunteered to host the next Live Healthy Lynchburg meeting on its campus June 14, welcoming other colleges from around the area to share ideas and compare programs and resources to promote health and wellness in the community. Guests will tour Libertys extensive recreational facilities as well as learn about and sample several healthy dining options offered at Reber-Thomas Dining Hall.

What this partnership between Liberty, Lynchburg, and other local institutions hopes to achieve is a more health-conscious culture in the community similar to what we are seeing take place at Liberty, said Lee Beaumont, Libertys vice president for Auxiliary Services. We hope this will lead to a better quality of life in the community as people become better educated and motivated to live healthier lives.

Many members of Libertys administration have led the way, including Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., who has lost 55 pounds over the past year thanks to a complete lifestyle change that includes eating healthier and regular exercise. He and his wife, Becki, work out together two days a week. They were recently featured in a WSET television interview.

Live Healthy Lynchburg is currently promoting its Strive for Five Challenge, which encourages people to work out for at least 30 minutes five days a week. Liberty is currently the leading organization with the most collective hours logged.

Last fall, Liberty encouraged its staff to participate in Live Healthy Lynchburgs 100 Mile Challenge and Virginia 10-Miler and 4-Miler races. As further incentive, Liberty paid the entry fee for staff members who signed up. Liberty finished third out of more than 90 companies for most miles logged in the challenge. Mark Hopely, a Liberty staff member, tallied more miles than any other individual in the challenge. Liberty was also dominant in the corporate challenge, finishing first in four of the six categories in the 10- and 4-Miler events.

Liberty will encourage employees to participate in 100 Mile Challenge and races again this year and will pay entry fees.

Across campus, Liberty has continued to show its commitment to a holistic approach to wellness providing opportunities to grow in body, mind, and spirit.

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Liberty University Continues to Champion Local Health Initiatives