Annual wellbeing event, The Challenge – RGV, kicks off Saturday, Jan. 11, in Brownsville and Saturday, Jan. 25, in Edinburg

Annual wellbeing event, The Challenge - RGV, kicks off Saturday, Jan. 11, in Brownsville and Saturday, Jan. 25, in Edinburg

Written by: Deborah Mann Lake | Updated: January 10, 2025

The Challenge - RGV is held every year to encourage wellness in Rio Grande Valley communities. In the past 16 years, nearly 15,000 people have lost a combined 23,000 pounds. (Photo by UTHealth Houston)

The Challenge - RGV, begun 16 years ago by UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville and the city of Brownsville, will once again invite the community to prioritize health and well-being in January for the new year.

The weight loss competition event, which provides people with the tools and opportunities to make sustainable, healthy lifestyle changes, includes three months of free access to gyms, exercise classes, health screenings, cooking classes, motivational text messaging, and fun runs/walks on local trails and parks.

The kickoffs and weigh-ins will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 11, in Brownsville at Linear Park (home of the Brownsville Farmer's Market); and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 25, in Edinburg at the Edinburg City Hall Courtyard, 415 W. University Drive. There will also be additional opportunities to register and weigh in nine partner communities.

The initiative was developed to address rates of obesity and overweight in the Rio Grande Valley, which are among the highest in the country and drive high rates of chronic disease like diabetes. Since its inception, nearly 15,000 people have joined The Challenge-RGV to meet their weight loss goals, collectively losing 23,000 pounds.

Registration and all events are free. For more information or to register, go here.

"Among the thousands who have completed the challenge over the years, 84% have lost weight and 8.5 pounds were the average amount of weight lost," said Lisa Mitchell-Bennett, MPH, MA, senior project manager at the School of Public Health in Brownsville. "That's huge because we know that losing just 5%-8% of your weight can reduce your risk for chronic diseases like diabetes by 50% and greatly improves your health. The challenge is not about losing - it's about gaining well-being, energy, healthier habits, and participating in something positive and fun with your community."

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