BLOOMINGTON - Georgvell Christian is on his way to losing 35 to 50 pounds.

The systems analyst at State Farm Insurance Cos.' Corporate South offices in Bloomington weighed about 320 pounds last spring before he signed up for Dr. Ian Smith's nationwide 50 Million Pound Challenge, sponsored by State Farm.

At State Farm's wellness showcase Thursday, Christian said he's lost about nine pounds through a healthier diet and more exercise.

Those good habits are part of the goal of State Farm's new Live Well, Be Well initiative. It includes participation in the nationwide challenge for Americans, particularly African-Americans because they have more risk factors, to lose 50 million pounds.

"The challenge is about respecting people, loving people, giving people a chance to live life," Smith, the medical/diet expert on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club and the founder of the 50 Million Pound Challenge, told employees during his presentation at State Farm's corporate headquarters. "A lot of us are alive, but we're not really living."

More than 135 million Americans adults are overweight or obese. Eighty percent of African-American women and 67 percent of African-American men are overweight. By attacking the root cause of health problems like diabetes, stroke and heart disease, the weight-loss program can impact millions of people, Smith said.

"We try to instill in people the idea they are empowered to make changes in their lives," Smith said.

Pam El, State Farm marketing vice president, challenged every corporate department to participate, saying the department that loses the greatest percentage of weight before Feb. 10 will receive a $500 State Farm Bank gift certificate.

"Dieting is not fun, but it is more fun if you do it with someone else," El said.

Valerie Coombs, senior imaging specialist in the corporate law imaging department, agrees the opportunity to talk with a group about the struggles of dieting and exercise is helpful.

"You're all going through it together," said Coombs, who wants to lose weight and lower her cholesterol.

Financial business analyst Amber Turley won an electronic jump rope from one booth at the wellness fair. The sophisticated jump rope, along with her new elliptical machine, will help in her exercise program.

"I'm getting married in March," Turley said. "I want to lose 10 pounds before my wedding."

Bloomington's Main Street Yoga has noticed an increase in the number of participants in its yoga and pilates classes at State Farm, said studio owner Debra Risberg. Main Street Yoga was one of 10 booths at the fairs at State Farm's corporate and corporate south locations that demonstrated exercises and provided smoking cessation, dieting and healthy living tips.

"The employees are really fired up right now," Risberg said.

To sign up to join the Americans who already have lost 1.2 million pounds, visit www.50millionpounds.com.