Monthly Archives: November 2009

Upcoming December Walk with Santa Challenge

in Newsletter, WalkingSpree on November 19, 2009 | 2 Comments »

It’s almost time again for the annual Walk with Santa Challenge. Once again, this December you’ll have the chance to be Santa’s Walking Buddy. We’re introducing a new segment to our December challenge that will also include a virtual walk from Anchorage, Alaska to the North Pole.

At WalkingSpree we have a diverse group that include many faiths and beliefs, so we fully recognize that not everyone celebrates Christmas or the spirit of Santa Claus. If you do not want to participate in the Walk with Santa Challenge. You can easily remove him from your buddy list by going to Walking Buddies and click remove. We will still verify if you’ve walked more than 7,000 steps on days between December 1st and December 31st.

Rules:

You will notice on your profile page starting December 1st that you now have a new walking buddy. . . Santa Claus. Jolly Ole Saint Nick himself.

Santa averages 7,000 steps every day during December (he doesn’t hit 10,000 because he’s on his sleigh a lot this time of year).

For every day you walk more than Santa from December 1st until Dec. 31st, your name is entered into the draw for a prize (to be determined).

BUT that’s only if your corporation as a whole walks from Anchorage, Alaska to the North Pole. So you all need to work together to make this happen.

Holiday Walking Tips

The holidays can be a challenging time for people to find time to exercise with visiting friends and family. So here are some suggestions to help you get those holiday steps in:

1. Holiday Shopping – You’re at the mall already, so instead of feeling frustrated that you’ve got to run around the mall so much, check your pedometer regularly and refuel that frustration into success that you’re getting healthier and boosting your steps.

2. Park far away from the malls

3. Family walks – While visiting family and friends. Instead of everyone sitting on the couch stuffed to the gills from food, suggest everyone go for a walk instead to look at the Christmas lights.

4. Shoveling snow – Not anyone’s favorite job. Remember as you push the scoop down the driveway that you’re adding more steps to your pedometer.

5. Decorating – While decorating the tree or house, take one item per trip to add more steps.

6. Walk & Talk – The holidays are a time when we’re often on the phone with family and friends. Take advantage of this time to use a portable phone and walk around your house while talking.

7. Holiday parties – Often a time for dancing. Get out on the dance floor and step up a storm.

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Inside WalkingSpree November 2009

in Newsletter, WalkingSpree on November 19, 2009 | No Comments »

Congratulations to all the steps everyone has worked hard to achieve this past month. Remember, if you have any success stories you want to share with us. We’re also implementing a new photo of the month. Show us where your pedometer has been by sending us a photo of you wearing your pedometer and at the end of the year, your name will entered into a draw for a prize (to be determined). Please send them to blog@walkingspree.com.

Top 100 Walkers in WalkingSpree for October 2009.

Screen Name Total Steps Total Aerobic Steps Average Steps Average Aerobic Steps
1 JBS 996936 682169 32159 22005
2 Dang 931769 654375 30057 21109
3 GKocal 838208 598722 27039 19314
4 Mosley 755831 291443 24382 9401
5 TKacz 749673 402971 24183 12999
6 G-ma 705761 318283 22766 10267
7 Sandra Jean 679294 350730 21913 11314
8 LifePRO Queen 658821 412122 21252 13294
9 KC Kitty 658554 251066 21244 8099
10 Bonnie Johns 642530 383902 20727 12384
11 The Timster 626924 423382 20223 13657
12 indiagirl 624256 441408 20137 14239
13 krotz4 618124 268905 19939 8674
14 Joan Schloemer 612995 280124 19774 9036
15 dab 572214 193250 18459 6234
16 Katie52478 569801 118561 18381 3825
17 dely2009 564337 361749 18204 11669
18 Frodo 549396 365262 17722 11783
19 Shannon Hoover 547868 356688 17673 11506
20 mcnag 545792 268072 17606 8647
21 Dan Slavin 543683 18521 17538 597
22 Go Bucks! 538329 227404 17365 7336
23 Stephen Sullivan 535470 410487 17273 13242
24 Marisol 533907 248485 17223 8016
25 Vera Herman 531260 432150 17137 13940
26 kmahan 528296 309955 17042 9999
27 Robert1962 528068 317031 17034 10227
28 josesand 523689 172255 16893 5557
29 Johnny Lyle 518475 57379 16725 1851
30 Evelyn53 518042 196668 16711 6344
31 TROY FREEBURG 517469 173099 16693 5584
32 levi 515191 54725 16619 1765
33 Bobles 513913 322154 16578 10392
34 Luna 508532 357606 16404 11536
35 hpa 507555 328277 16373 10590
36 ZMAN 506742 253621 16347 8181
37 Nacho 501635 78422 16182 2530
38 Lloyd Sisson 501125 360054 16165 11615
39 hawksfan21 500392 118998 16142 3839
40 alcott 500322 226702 16139 7313
41 dlr-bnk 490975 266063 15838 8583
42 Russ Nielsen 473414 182400 15271 5884
43 LBrady 471118 301984 15197 9741
44 Kathleen 470650 319734 15182 10314
45 Sher 466279 245015 6758 3551
46 LUV2TRVL 465371 5828 15012 188
47 RogerTheShrubber 464848 267959 14995 8644
48 betchabooties 461467 191678 14886 6183
49 wildschut 461363 197574 14883 6373
50 ruderwoman 459363 235205 14818 7587
51 ccneko21 458985 160903 14806 5190
52 Skeezix 458947 242490 14805 7822
53 Mr. T 458787 186051 14800 6002
54 John Hanson 457657 95200 14763 3071
55 Lawrny 457639 291139 14763 9392
56 dgonzale 455713 197959 14700 6386
57 PaulC 453288 193167 14622 6231
58 Mark Kreyenhagen 443659 272097 14312 8777
59 AguasCaliente 442959 286804 14289 9252
60 Ray J. 438023 235549 14130 7598
61 tgandy 437727 239555 14120 7728
62 SherryLuka 437376 343513 14109 11081
63 Paul 4pvl 435149 363898 14037 11739
64 opus1964 433094 195654 16041 7246
65 Bikini 432073 245110 13938 7907
66 want-to-loose 430097 85431 13874 2756
67 Caryl Johnso 429102 232565 13842 7502
68 LaxMom 428963 232693 13838 7506
69 chemss1 428941 281505 13837 9081
70 dhayes 428104 182362 13810 5883
71 Shelby Jo 423071 182581 13647 5890
72 mtlhd 421287 195433 14527 6739
73 Paddy O’Barbecue 419780 244272 13541 7880
cc Bling1 419295 164725 13526 5314
75 Bashful 417060 39520 13454 1275
76 palmareal 416915 184166 13449 5941
77 spywebb 416079 21203 13422 684
78 Rosie the Riveter 413298 197868 13332 6383
79 rnkgolfer 411779 77753 13283 2508
80 Randy Barr 411638 277536 13279 8953
81 madison 409492 278017 13209 8968
82 UEATMOREBANANAS 407609 160336 15097 5938
83 Bert Macy 407497 45727 13145 1475
84 Pedo-Intimidator 407081 200336 13132 6462
85 mjbaker 406480 59925 13112 1933
86 OMA 404788 171538 13058 5533
87 ReidW 402018 255914 12968 8255
88 Enid 396999 158211 12806 5104
89 ktitus3 395277 54636 12751 1762
90 Miss Piggy 393307 243062 12687 7841
91 IMAHUSKER 392963 55842 12676 1801
92 Iris 392240 162047 12653 5227
93 Rhonda 391964 154192 12644 4974
94 SoccerMaze 391825 210195 12640 6780
95 MichaelWire 391311 213303 12623 6881
96 Mark Borden 390533 158901 12598 5126
97 Hazard walkman 390210 185529 12587 5985
98 don 388721 125016 12539 4033
99 Bionic Woman 385275 115722 12428 3733
100 kaking 385125 158201 12423 5103

10 Million Step Club

Robert1962 18195816
JBS 15633263
Vera Herman 14560110
KC Kitty 14203335
Aang 13322436
MAHAL KITA 13139436
LBrady 12535732
Bashful 12040442
Lisa Taylor 11727861
Joan Schloemer 11412388
TROY FREEBURG 11137805
PaulC 10983678
One Step Beyond 10838538
Brock 10776458
Russ Nielsen 10541314
Johnny Lyle 10348072
whhosken 10257143
The Timster 10206032

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American Diabetes Month

in Newsletter, WalkingSpree on November 18, 2009 | No Comments »

As you know from our previous Move Smart! message to members, November is American Diabetes Month®. This year’s message is a direct message to Stop Diabetes! From the American Diabetes website:

  • 24 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes
  • 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes
  • 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue.

If you missed it in the Move Smart! message, we’re providing it here again: WalkingSpree has provided 30 Days to Stop Diabetes. For Diabetes Awareness Month, you can download WalkingSpree’s Diabetes Awareness calendar with walking tips for posting in your workplace or on your fridge as a reminder of the importance of every step you take. We’ve also provided you with a one week 1500 calorie Diabetic friendly meal plan that you can use in the Food Tracker.

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Food Tracker Video Tutorials

in Newsletter on November 18, 2009 | No Comments »

The first in a series of quick and easy video tutorials on using the Food Tracker. These videos are available in a larger format at Youtube, so clicking on the video will take you directly to Youtube.

Setting up your Food Tracker

Adding a food item to the Food Tracker

Creating a custom meal in the Food Tracker

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Working Out During Flu Season

in Newsletter on November 16, 2009 | No Comments »

“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success” – Henry Ford

I don’t know about you, but in San Diego the news is full of the H1N1 flu that’s going around. Now when it comes to getting the flu shot I believe that it’s a personal decision that every person is going to have to make. Working in a gym and being around members as well clients who often come in not feeling at their personal best I recommend the following suggestions:

* If you’re not feeling at least 95% great, please don’t come in and workout. As a Personal Trainer I’ve sent so many clients home through the years. It’s just not worth coming in for you, your trainer nor the other members. If you feel you must get your workout in (especially your cardio) go outside, WALK, and get some fresh air instead…others will thank you!

* Make sure you get plenty of fluids (not sugary drinks) in. Staying hydrated is more important than ever to stay well.

* Get plenty of rest. This is pretty self explanatory.

* Keep your hands out/off of your face. This is especially important if you’re in the gym. If you’re on the treadmill, elliptical, bikes or any other type of cardio and you’re holding on, please do your best to keep your hands off your face. Use a towel, wipe down the equipment after use and wash your hands before you leave the gym.

* If you have any symptoms that are “below the neck” for example vomiting, diarrhea, chills, a hacking couch, muscle ache or fatigue, you should allow yourself 1 -2 weeks off before starting back into your normal routine.

* If you’re symptoms are “above the neck” for example a sore throat, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose usually it’s ok to exercise as long as none of these symptoms are accompanied by a fever.

* Please keep in mind that if you do have a runny nose, are coughing or feeling stuffy, use common sense. Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest and keep your hands clean and away from your face, especially yours eyes.

* If you’re around little ones, try not to kiss them as their immune systems are not as strong as yours.

* After blowing your nose or coughing, please wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer. I know, I know…but I’ve seen it all!

Preliminary research is showing that those who are obese may potentially have further complications with the H1N1 virus. Obesity causes increased risk of having underlying illnesses, diabetes, heart problems, and respiratory problems and this can complicate H1N1.

The bottom line is this: Utilize common sense when you’re not feeling well or if you’re contagious. You’ll recover faster and will help to prevent the spread of any illness to your friends, family, co-workers, gym members as well as your favorite Trainers.

Until next week, walk strong and stay well!

Fitfully yours,
Lisa Taylor

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