The Oprah Winfrey Show will be in Meridian later this week, kicking off a nationwide weight-loss campaign.

Oprah's personal trainer, Bob Greene, plans to be here Friday to film a segment kicking off his and Oprah's Best Life Challenge, from approximately noon to 2 p.m. at Dumont Plaza in downtown Meridian.

People in this area and across the nation are being challenged to lose weight this year and keep it off.

Meridian was chosen as the city for the kickoff of Bob’s Best Life Tour because of our community’s push toward weight loss and fitness through the Just Lose It, Meridian campaign.

Bob will be encouraging residents to sign up for his program, and will interview some of the attendees who commit to the program.

The Meridian segment is scheduled to be aired on Oprah on Monday, Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. on WTOK-TV.

Meridian Parks and Recreation Director Mark Naylor, who spearheaded the Just Lose It, Meridian campaign, encouraged those who have not yet submitted their weight loss figures for the local campaign to do so by this Thursday.

“If you were like many people and fell short of your goal or quit, we would love for you to come out Friday and help us make a good showing for the Oprah Winfrey Show and also sign up for the Best Life Challenge 2008," said Naylor. "Be a part of history and help turn Mississippi into one of the fittest states instead of the fattest.”

The city said parking is available in the Arts District Parking Garage. The entrance is on 24th Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets.

Click on the "Oprah Winfrey Show Coming to Meridian" link below for information on how you can be involved in the Best Life Challenge.