Can social media channels,
such as Twitter and Facebook,
improve your overall fitness?
Fitness is not the organic part of our lives that it once was. Computers, televisions, cars, gadgets: sometimes, all of these devices seem to be conspiring to make our lifestyles as sedentary as possible! Add to that mix: the social media channels — such as Twitter and Facebook — in which hours of enjoyable conversation occur from a reclined position, and you potentially have the perfect recipe for creating: BLUBBER!
But what if you could spend hours in front of a computer each day, and still be healthy and fit?
Counter-intuitive, but Possible!
Fitness ~ Josepf Seeks to Become Healthier
Is such a thing even possible? That was the question posed to me by Josepf on Twitter on New Year’s morning.
Josepf and I are buddies from the #UsGuys chat stream on Twitter — a group of inclusive guys and gals who are enthusiastic about social media’s positive possibilities.
One thing led to another, and now… it’s on!
“Online social networking can make you healthier,
if you use it to communicate with your friends
about health, and help hold each other accountable!”
A group of us — mostly from Twitter and Facebook — are participating in the #UsLiveWell Initiative — a social media health adventure! We will determine, once and for all, if it’s possible to be fit and a gadget-geek at the same time! And you can join in, too!
Fitness ~ Can Twitter Make You Fit
The Social Media Fitness Experiment
This is the ultimate science experiment that will help us to determine:
- can I be a Twitterholic, yet still have abundant amounts of physical energy?
- can I be a Facebook enthusiast, yet still have strong lungs and a powerful heart?
- can I work at a computer much of the day, yet still be flexible and lean?
It’s easy to particpate:
#1 Post Your Specific Goals in the Comments Sections Below
Just say what it is you hope to achieve:
- You want to fit back into those skinny jeans?
- You want to lower your body fat to 15%?
- Want to run that 10k in the spring?
- Want to eat more fresh vegetables?
- Want to bring your waist down to 34 inches?
Well, break out the tape measure and let’s get this party started!
#2 Check-In Daily
Use the #uslivewell hashtag and “check in” on Twitter each time you workout and do some good self-care (meditate, eat dark green veggies.. whatever is an accomplishment and progress for you!).
Online social networking can make you healthier, if you use it to communicate with your friends about health, and help hold each other accountable!
fitness ~ online support can help you get fit
If you’re not on Twitter, you can check-in here on this post, below, in the comments section. You can receive support as we hold each other accountable! If you did workout, post about your workout. If you didn’t workout, post one thing about your day that was a success. (Make sure you bookmark this post so that you can return to it easily).
The trick to success is to keep things simple whenever possible, so let’s not over-complicate this. Just get the ball rolling by stating your goal below, and then check-in daily from this point forward. Make this your best year yet! You can work at a computer and still be healthy.
Look better, feel better, be stronger.
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A great way to help stay fit while working at your computer is to make your desk a stand-up desk.
~ standingfit.com
Dane – Love this idea! Count me in. This extra bit of accountability may be just what the doctor ordered to stay more consistent over the long term.
My goals are:
- Weight train or cross train 6 days a week
- Run or alternate aerobic exercise 4-5 times a week.
- Eliminate the night caps and the extra eating that goes with it
- Keep everything fun
- Do at least one kick-ass adventure race this year
Looking forward to the camaraderie.
Of course, my favorite part of your goal list, Jeffrey, is “keeping everything fun.” The more we approach a target with a light heart and a sense of play (as opposed to a heavy sense of drudgery), the easier it is to accomplish!
I share your goal of reducing late-night eating. Historically, for me, that’s been my weakest-link. If it weren’t for my after-dark treats, I might already have washboard abs!
Have you researched adventure races yet? Are there any, in particular, that look intriguing to you?
{ twitter = @danenow }
Got to keep it fun! Nutrition has always been my weak link. Yeah, if I could stop the late night munching – I’d be ripped! Having trouble finding a regional adventure race that might be good for a first timer, but I’ll keep looking and keep you posted. I might need a teammate!
Thanks for helping me keep motivated Dane
I wish I could say I have been eating more veg. But strangely I am eating less I been doing a lot of work away from my main base so diet is suffering. I actually made a point this week of buying more veg and fruit.
I definitely need to make sure the food intake is more balanced can’t gain weight without the proper fuel.
Hi Dane.
Jumped in to update my profile.
Goal has been slipping in terms of weight gain. Not been doing much weight training. Mainly bike riding averaging 35 miles a week. Stamina and strength through the gears has definitely improved riding in the highest gear for long periods and times have improved.
I think main problem for me has been rather than being more scientific and writing down recording goals and objectives my training has lacked focus.
I have been averaging 2 weight sessions a week. This is no where near enough to reach my goals as originally stated.
I have resolved to draft a new training schedule and makes sure I complete a minimum of 3 weight sessions a week as well as bag work to improve hand coordination and power. I will probably post some of my notes here and come back in 4 weeks once I have done a month of solid training.
I would expect to see significant improvements in that period.
Speak soon dane. Have a great day/evening
Kenny
Good check-in, Kenny! I respect your commitment. When a rocket goes to the moon, it’s always veering off its path and course-correcting. That’s a natural part of the process. You have set ambitious goals and you’re on your way to achieving them! Nicely done!
One of my goals for this year was to reach a certain base level of strength conditioning and flexibility so that I could take a CrossFit class, without throwing up or injuring myself!
And I was just thinking last week, that I almost feel fit enough to take my first class!
I remember that part of your regimen was also going to be to eat more vegetables each day than you had been. How’s that going so far?
{ twitter = @danenow }
My two goals are:
1. Walk at least 30 minutes at least 5 times a week.
2. Do my physiotherapy exercises at least 5 times a week.
GO TEAM GO!
The advantage to dividing daily workouts into “push” and “pull” muscle groups (instead of all “upper body”) is that you spend less time in the gym!
Dane! I would love to change my wake up time!!! My goal is 6:30 AM – so I am totally awed by your 4:45 AM start time. I am going to take a deep dive into your content so I am not only inspired but armed with the tips and techniques I need.
@dane, it’s this kind of counter-intuitive thinking that allows the internet and social media to be such a powerful tool! Keep it up!
I’m very fortunate that weight is not an issue, but need to work on a few things:
~ Posture: sit, stand and walk straighter; especially posture while working
~ walk 3 miles daily but want to become a strong biker so need to bike at least 3x weekly (10 miles min. each time)
~ Watch sugar intake; love sweets…must moderate! Increase fruits
Here’s to 2011 all!
I like these goals, Patrick! I want to improve my posture, too.
My understanding is that by improving the flexibility of my spine and strengthening the upper back muscles of my torso (specifically, posterior-deltoids), I’ll become more upright. You’ve given me an idea for a future blog post! Off to research…!
What a great idea Dane. And Josepf!
Jumping in a bit late but motivated as never before!
My goals:
1) Keep my Foursquare mayor title at the gym for the entire year! I’m not even kidding (just a bit). If i’m there as often as i plan to be (4 or 5 workouts/spinning class every week), there’s no reason i’d lose that title! And i finally found a reason to keep using Foursquare!
2) Lower 5% of my bodyfat by July then keep it at the same level to end the year. Measuring it on a monthly basis, i already lowered it by a few points in the last months of 2010.
3) Minimal flour/sugar daily intake. All year long.
There we go!
See you all here and in the #UsLiveWell stream shortly!
Sylvain aka @smartel
We extend an invitation to all those who wish to move boldly toward improved health!
Let’s face it, if your job involves working in front of a computer much of the day (like mine does), then your heart, spine, lungs, muscles — and soul — need conditioning and balance.
Let’s support and encourage each other in health, and allow social media to work for us by holding each other accountable!
I know it sounds squishy, but through the years I have discovered that the law of attraction doesn’t respond to ambivalence.
The Universe gets serious about you, when you get serious about It.
And this is why I think it’s so powerful to write out your specific goals, and share them with positive people.
When you declare your intentions potently, there are invisible forces that begin to align with you. This is what life has taught me.
So publish your health goals here in the comments section below, and after that, just check in daily through the end of February.
Your daily check-ins are short and sweet. Basically, you confess your hits and misses. Check-ins only work if they’re honest. So let us know if you worked out and how your eating was.
Your daily check-ins can be on our blogs (preferable), or in the Twitter stream, using the #uslivewell hashtag.
Simple, yes?
Looking forward to getting healthier with you over the next 6 weeks! By the way, @josepf and I are helping to co-facilitate this adventure, and you can check out his post about this experience here: http://josepf.co/hj2j6r
Lucy, welcome! Your goals seem solid!
What helps my joints for cardio, is to use all the different cardio machines available.
I might do 15 minutes of treadmill, 15 minutes of stair gauntlet, 15 minutes of recumbant bike = 45 minutes.
And then, the next day, 15 minutes of ellytipcal, 15 minutes of spin bike, 15 minutes versaclimber = 45 minutes.
I mean, I use every piece of cardio equipment at the gym, even the dusty stuff nobody else uses, like ski machines and upper body ergometers! That way, my joints aren’t over-used from one direction, and I’m emphasizing different muscle groups for a full-body toning!
Finally posting my goals! Actually started new diet plan Monday (Prevention Mag’s Flat Belly Diet – worked really well for me before) and first workout of the new year last night!
I guess officially my goals are
1) Drop the 30 lbs I’ve been carrying around my entire life for good
2) Stick to my workout plan (T.G. my new apt. building has a gym!
3) Find an effective cardio alternative to running (It works so well, but my knees are already giving me pains and I’m WAY too young for joint issues)
My favorite Green Drink in The Universe!
Today:
20 minutes stair gauntlet
15 minutes ellyptical
20 minutes treadmill (powerwalk ~ incremental incline)
Some of those goals are pretty impressive! Mine are more basic.
1. Eat consciously- no more eating just because I happen to be sitting at the computer and the kids wander by with something.
2. 30 minutes of physical activity 6 days per week.
They’re pretty humble, but they’re goals I can stick to and build on.
Jill, I truly believe that one of the keys to sustained success, is to keep things as simple as possible. Your goals are concise and achievable! Looking forward to your check-ins!
Yesterday – (sorry couldn’t find the link)
Walked – 1.6 miles elliptical – 3.5 miles
Strength training – dumb bell bench press – 3 sets
Tricep dips 3 sets
Abs
Good meals – light snacking (real progress here)