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New Websites to Check Out December 31, 2008

Posted by Marilyn in Uncategorized.
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I went MIA last week to enjoy my Christmas vacation.  I come back, and there’s so much that I want to share with you!

Check out these two websites that I’ve come across, and let me know what you think:

Top 1o Healthiest Diets

I don’t really approve of “dieting”, but most of these sound like they focus on a lifestyle change.  Have you tried any of these?  If so, what did you think?

Keep It Balanced

Healthier fast food options.  While I would say that fast food is never a great choice, there does come a time when we’re stressed, busy and out of alternatives.  Wouldn’t it be nice to know that there are healthier options at the drive through?

Gaming Makes Weight Loss Fun December 30, 2008

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This is a particularly interesting story for me, as it incorporates my interest (obesity and weight loss) with my profession (marketing).  Humana has created an online gaming community, which focuses on “challenging your brain and boosting your health.” 

The site has many interactive features, including a Freewheelin Cycle Challenge, where visitors can race different competitors.  Winning depends on whether or not you consume the proper snacks along the way.  If you do, you increase your energy level and win the race!  Visitors can also challenge friends through email.  There are many more interesting games to teach visitors about healthy living.

Humana has also created a Facebook application called “The Battle of the Bulge.”  By using the application, you can answer questions to keep your waistline smaller and distribute fat to your friends.  I found the application, but it was having trouble loading, so I didn’t get a chance to tinker with it much.  Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

I’m impressed with Humana’s use of social media.  The games page is very well done, and the Facebook application has 124 active monthly users and 64 fans.  With so many people online these days, it’s a great way to reach a wide audience.  I suggest that you try the games and the application, if you have a Facebook page.  Let me know if you like these, or if there are other social media tools out there that target health education!

Biggest Loser Phenomenon December 18, 2008

Posted by Marilyn in Uncategorized.
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I will admit it.  I really like The Biggest Loser.  When I first heard about the concept years ago, I was a little put off.  Why subject people who have such obvious body issues to a very public weight loss?  Why exploit a real health issue for entertainment’s sake?

Then, one night I was bored, and it was on.  All of my prejudices flew out the window.  After that hour, I was inspired, impressed and enlightened.  I’ve tuned in to several seasons off and on, and my favorite part is the end of the show when you see the drastic changes.  You can tell that the weight gain (and subsequent loss) is about so much more than an uncontrollable food habit.  Not only that, but the trainers really seem to incorporate a nutritional element in there, in addition to the hours of exercise that the teams endure.

I bring this up because the Biggest Loser finale was last night.  You can see all of the contestants’ before and after shots, as well as read about the winner (or…loser? sorry, I couldn’t resist)  here.  Tell me–have you watched the Biggest Loser?  If so, what do you think?

My foray into obesity November 7, 2008

Posted by Marilyn in Uncategorized.
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Let me start out by saying that I am no expert in the field of obesity.  I simply have had some experience as a camper at a children’s weight loss camp, and I recently blogged for a brief time for an obesity foundation.   These gigs have inspired me to dig deeper into not only the causes of obesity, but also the ramifications of it.  It has become such a hot topic in the past few years, and the more I read about it, the more I notice societal causes and community effects that hint at an underlying panic that soon the problem will be bigger than the solution. 

So I hope you enjoy the posts and find them informing and inspiring.  If there is something you would like to see covered that I have not, please let me know.  I would love to add to the conversation.

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