Summer Fitness Motivation

Hey guys!

So the first day of summer isn’t officially until the 21st of June, but – as far as I’m concerned – summer really starts when “summer break” started and that, my friends, was a couple weeks ago! Last summer I lost 10 pounds and got to my pinnacle of health (recall here) — Not only was I working out adamantly, with biceps to show for it, and eating well, but I also felt…well…great. Now, while I’ve no idea how much I weigh since I destroyed my scale (here), and though I’m still wearing the same clothes, I can tell there’s some added…err…baggage that wasn’t there this last July. One word: lame.

But, have no fear, some motivation is here. Or a challenge. Want in on it?

Starting next Tuesday, my good friend Nadia will be checking in with us once a week and sharing her progress towards a 20-pound weight loss goal which she began this past Tuesday, the 1st. Her once-a-week check-ins (which should last at least for the duration of the summer) will include her thoughts on going “part-time vegetarian” and the trials of trying to get fitter when you’re a 20-somethin-year-old who’s climbing the corporate ladder and also pursing creative passions in her spare time! I know a few others of you out there have similar health or weight-related goals this summer — want in? Want to feel accountable? Just post what your summer goal is in the comments section. If you want a way to be held accountable, I’ll call you out each week at the end of Nadia’s post and see how you’re doing. Think a simple “call-out” won’t help? Think being held accountable at a distance is no bueno?

Think again.
[photo cred]
Researchers from Standford University conducted a year-long study of 200+ people and found that a third of these self-proclaimed sedentary participants increased their exercise dramatically (78%) over the year (see the WSJ article on the study here). Why the increase? The researchers think the encouraging live-person phone calls every three weeks helped keep the study’s participants accountable. Another 1/3rd of the participants received phone calls every three weeks from an automated voice instead of a live person (it also checked in on the participants, asking what they did exercise-wise and offering encouraging words to get them to get back on the wagon if they fell from it) — this group also increased their exercise. Surprisingly, the final 1/3rd of the participants, who were the control group, even increased their exercise by 28% without a darn phone call. The simple knowledge that someone was eventually going to check in on them (even if at the end of the study) can encourage people to make changes.

More Motivation?

• In September of last year, I asked you guys who and/or what motivated you. Your responses blew me away. Part one is here; part two is here; and part three is here.

Food News

• Jamba Juice has added a new flavor to their line — the Yumberry! “Made with delicious whole fruits, protective antioxidants, and an excellent source of Vitamin C – Jamba’s new Yumberry products include: Super Yumberry Smoothie, Berry Yumberry Smoothie, and Yumberry Topper Ideal Meal” <via Facebook here>. A 16oz. of Super Yumberry has 240 calories, 0g fat, 2g fiber, 1g protein; Berry Yumberry has 230 calories, 0.5g fat, 4g fiber, 2g protein; and a 12 oz. of the Yumberry Topper Ideal Meal is 370 calories, 5g fat, 8g fiber, 9g protein (these “Ideal Meals” are meant to be, well, a MEAL — so watch portions and nutrition stats for these smoothies).
• Justin’s Nut Butter single-serving peanut butter packets now available at Seattle’s Best Coffee shops nationwide. Click here for a PDF of the press release.
• Win a trip to Whole Food Market’s headquarters in Austin, Texas to celebrate its 30th Birthday! Enter here by sharing a story relating to the store.

So, any summer health goals you want to be accountable for? Leave ‘em in the comments!

<3,

The Cranky One