Steeple Media Fit Club

SparkPeople Needs Your Help Tackling Childhood Obesity

post coutesy of SparkPeople.com 

New SparkTeam for Kids Health
  -- By Jen Mueller, Certified Personal Trainer

Turn on the news any night of the week, and you're likely to see a story about one of the many discouraging trends that contribute to the prevalence of overweight and obese children.  As a result, parents, teachers, and other mentors have been looking for ways to get their kids off of the couch and playing outside, and persuade their teens to reach for an apple instead of a candy bar.

SparkPeople.com wants to help you find solutions to keeping your kids healthy and active. With almost 1 million parents visiting SparkPeople each month, we're uniquely qualified to work with our members to tackle this problem head on! Kids can learn from the healthy habits you are adopting on SparkPeople, and your choices can end up impacting the health of your entire family!

To tackle the childhood obesity epidemic, we've started a Kids Health SparkTeam for parents, teachers and everyone else interested in helping us lead the fight for kids health and against childhood obesity. This is a place to share strategies that will get kids excited about exercise; ask others what's working for their kids; and get ideas to improve the health of the children in your life. By starting small and building momentum as the Team grows, we can make a big difference!

So why do we need your help? A recent Associated Press article revealed that the federal government will spend $1 BILLION on nutrition education this year alone. While that sounds promising, research is showing that these education programs rarely change the way kids behave in the long-term:

• A review of 57 trials (funded by the federal government) aimed at changing kids eating habits found that only 4 had successful results.
• One program that rewarded children for eating fruits and vegetables was successful in the short-term. But after the program ended, researchers found that kids went back to eating what they had before.
• Another study of 8 to 12-year-olds showed that kids see an average of 21 television ads each day for candy, snacks and other unhealthy foods. Only one of every 50 ads promoted healthy foods.

With all of these results, it's easy to get discouraged. But many other studies conclude that parents who successfully change their own attitudes and behaviors can dramatically increase the chances of changing their kids' habits too! Experts agree that parents influence what their kids eat and how much they exercise more than anyone else.

So are you ready to join us in the fight? Are you ready to make a difference in the health of the young people in your life? Let's do it! Join the Team today!

Transcript from the Live Weigh-In

Below is the transcript from the Live Weigh-In earlier this week. The winner of SFC1 will receive a $25 amazon.com gift card.

 

[17:57] <Zach> Steeple Media Fit Club Final Weigh in starts in 3 minutes!

[18:07] <Sandi> Well you guys ROCK for sticking to this for 12 wks, and you are all winners

[18:07] <Zach> just scout and i

[18:07] <Sandi> and uni yes?

[18:07] <scoutmom> alright!

[18:08] <Sandi> The GRAND finale! wooohooooo

[18:08] <Zach> yeah

[18:08] <Sandi> awesome

[18:08] <Zach> its only over for me for a month lol

[18:08] <Zach> SFC2 starts Aug 2

[18:08] <Sandi> umm I'll brb - still trying to get kids fed downstairs :)

[18:09] <Zach> k

[18:16] <Sandi> The suspense is killing me

[18:17] <Zach> where the heck is gp???!!?!?!

[18:17] <Zach> guess she wont be able to post her weight...

[18:17] <scoutmom> Probably burning off calories chasing her granddaughter

[18:17] <Zach> she sent it to me this morning

[18:17] <Zach> LOL, probably right scout

[18:17] <Zach> Alright, there were 4-5 of us really participating in this whole thing

[18:17] <Zach> Scoutmom

[18:17] <Zach> Gplash1958

[18:17] <Zach> Winnie

[18:17] <Zach> Miketoc

[18:17] <Zach> and

[18:17] <Zach> ummm

[18:18] <Zach> oh yeah

[18:18] <Zach> me

[18:18] <Zach> lol

[18:18] <Zach> We started out with two more

[18:18] <Zach> Joe

[18:18] <Zach> and NTheBushes

[18:18] <Zach> they may return for the next season tho

[18:18] <scoutmom> Some of whom have become extremely invisible

[18:18] <Zach> they couldnt participate in this game because of personal reasons

[18:19] <Zach> I am going to post everyone's starting weights

[18:19] <Zach> Zach- 280

[18:19] * soccer_ref|choir has joined #steeplemedia

[18:19] <Zach> hold on

[18:19] <soccer_ref|choir> what's the Fit club?

[18:19] <Zach> lost my cheat sheet

[18:19] <Zach> lol

[18:19] <scoutmom> Hey, soccer - a bunch of did an online fit club - to help each other get fit and lose weight

[18:19] <scoutmom> *bunch of us

[18:20] <soccer_ref|choir> ooooo...I need that!

[18:20] <Zach> poo, stupid internet is sloooowwww

[18:20] <scoutmom> We're going to start another one in July if you'd like to join!

[18:20] <Zach> i will talk about sfc2 in a bit

[18:20] <scoutmom> :)

[18:20] <Zach> gotta give away this prize first... bugging me lol

[18:20] <soccer_ref|choir> ok...need encouragement to lose about 30-40 lbs

[18:21] <Zach> oh then your perfect :) lol

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> go Zach

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> hahaha

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> new meds for pain have side effect

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> weight gain

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> ugh!

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> be pain-free

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> or slim down

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> ????

[18:21] <soccer_ref|choir> hmmmm

[18:21] <Zach> alright

[18:21] <Zach> back to the begining

[18:21] <Zach> Zach - 280

[18:22] <Zach> gplash1958 -- 279

[18:22] <Zach> scoutmom 209

[18:22] <Zach> miketoc 215

[18:22] <Zach> and

[18:22] <Zach> Winnie - 183

[18:22] <Zach> winnie started out losing a pound... then she kinda had to drop out of the competition due to injury

[18:22] * dumblonde has joined #steeplemedia

[18:22] <Zach> Alright,

[18:23] <Zach> now that you know everyone's starting weights

[18:23] <Zach> Please, in the next 5 minutes, PM me the order your think we will go

[18:23] <Zach> for example

[18:23] <Zach> your guess is

[18:23] <Zach> scoutmom -1

[18:23] <Zach> zach -1

[18:23] <Zach> sorry

[18:23] <Zach> zach -2

[18:23] <Zach> gplash - 3

[18:23] <Zach> miketoc 4

[18:23] <Zach> winnie 5

[18:23] <Sandi> in terms of most weight lost?

[18:23] <Zach> yes

[18:23] <Zach> or highest percentage rather

[18:23] <Sandi> 1 being the most?

[18:23] <Zach> yep

[18:24] <Zach> 1 being the winner

[18:24] <Sandi> ok

[18:24] <Zach> actually

[18:24] <Zach> PM TheDisher

[18:24] <Zach> he likes PM's

[18:24] <Zach> so, while you are doing that...

[18:24] <Zach> Fit Clubbers, get your scales ready!

[18:25] <Sandi> brb

[18:25] <Zach> 2 people in so far...

[18:25] <kelgatt> one sec

[18:25] <Zach> k

[18:25] <dumblonde> hi, can i join too

[18:25] <Zach> Fit Clubbers, please begin to take your weight!

[18:25] <Zach> Yes you can db

[18:25] <Zach> remember not to weigh in on carpet tho!

[18:25] <Zach> lol

[18:26] <Zach> i could do that and surprise you all

[18:26] <scoutmom> Yeah, that makes for a great weigh-in

[18:26] <Zach> kelgatt, can you pm TheDisher?

[18:26] <kelgatt> ooo

[18:26] <kelgatt> ok

[18:26] <Zach> and no leaning on your scales

[18:26] <Zach> lol

[18:27] <scoutmom> :D

[18:27] <kelgatt> there we go

[18:27] <Zach> )

[18:28] <Zach> alright, fit Clubbers, Please pm ZACH your current weight!

[18:28] * Zach still hast to enter lol

[18:29] <Zach> yay scout

[18:29] <Zach> lol

[18:30] <Zach> yeah, only ones who need to submit their weight are the actuall people who were in fit club

[18:30] <Zach> alright, i need to calculate for a few min...

[18:30] <Zach> mingle

[18:30] <Zach> lol

[18:30] * SmackG|Away has joined #steeplemedia

[18:30] * SmackG|Away is now known as SmackG

[18:31] <scoutmom> hi, g

[18:31] <gplash1958> hi there--got a couple minutes before having to get dressed

[18:32] <SmackG> hey scout

[18:32] <scoutmom> THERE SHE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[18:32] <scoutmom> what's up g ... and g

[18:32] <Zach> sheesh! finally g

[18:32] <gplash1958> told zach i was going out tonight and may not be here--

[18:32] <Zach> lol

[18:32] <Zach> i know

[18:32] <Zach> oh, lets take commercial for outwit

[18:32] <gplash1958> lol zach

[18:32] <Zach> lol

[18:32] <scoutmom> rofl!

[18:32] <gplash1958> what is going on...????

[18:33] <Zach> thatll give me time to calculate

[18:33] <SmackG> who's the g over here?

[18:33] <scoutmom> the weigh in

[18:33] <scoutmom> gplash

[18:33] <scoutmom> and gforce

[18:33] <scoutmom> hehe

[18:33] <gplash1958> gp smackg

[18:33] <SmackG> OUTWIT red alert!

[18:33] <Zach> k

[18:34] <Zach> wouldnt that be awesome if one of us won? lol

[18:34] <gplash1958> not logged into jellyfish--was just abt to log off the puter so mynephew doesnt screw with it

[18:34] <Zach> lol

[18:34] <gplash1958> let me go get dressed..brb

[18:34] <Zach> k

[18:34] <Zach> so, people that entered the contest, wanna know what you could win?

[18:34] <scoutmom> yes, yes, yes

[18:34] <Zach> Oh! so do i! lol

[18:35] <Sandi> tell us!

[18:35] <Zach> after the commercial lol

[18:35] <Sandi> haha

[18:37] <Zach> anyone have a dog?

[18:37] <kelgatt> nope

[18:37] <scoutmom> me

[18:38] <Zach> oh cool

[18:38] <Zach> good :)

[18:38] <Zach> mwahahahaha

[18:38] <scoutmom> and a cat and a fish

[18:39] <Zach> And we're back!

[18:39] <Sandi> brb

[18:39] <Zach> pshhh we wait for no one!

[18:39] <Zach> jk

[18:40] * baxter217|away is now known as baxter

[18:40] <Zach> lurker, still here?

[18:40] <Sandi> im back

[18:41] <Zach> alright, gather the troops! lol

[18:41] <Zach> so, in order to win the prize, you must be very close or dead on to who won

[18:41] <Zach> in other words, 3/5 is what we are looking for

[18:41] <Zach> Oh yea, your prize :)

[18:42] <Zach> Well, the winners will get to choose from a ton of stuff

[18:42] <Zach> a coca-cola key chain bottle opener

[18:42] <Zach> an American Idol cup (red)

[18:42] <Zach> a kodak mini-photo book

[18:42] <Sandi> hmm a keychain huh?

[18:43] <Zach> a bunch of magazines

[18:43] * soccer_ref|choir has quit IRC (Ping timeout)

[18:43] <Zach> umm

[18:43] <Zach> a hotdog dog toy

[18:43] <scoutmom> ah

[18:43] <Zach> a coca-cola carabiner bottle holder

[18:43] * baxter has left #steeplemedia

[18:43] <Zach> :)

[18:44] <Zach> or 1 12-pack of a coca-cola product of your choice

[18:44] <Zach> ready?

[18:44] <Zach> 5th place, Winnie

[18:44] <Zach> 1 lb

[18:44] <Zach> .5%

[18:44] <Zach> 4th place, Miketoc

[18:44] <Zach> 10 lbs

[18:44] <Zach> 4.6%

[18:44] <Zach> 3rd place, scoutmom

[18:44] <Zach> 10 pounds

[18:44] <Zach> 4.7%

[18:45] <Zach> 2nd place, Zach (thats me)

[18:45] <Zach> 18 lbs

[18:45] <Zach> 6.4%

[18:45] <Zach> and in first

[18:45] <Zach> gplash

[18:45] <Zach> 20 lbs

[18:45] <Zach> 7.1%

[18:45] <Zach> those of you who got 3 or more, correct, re-PM me which prize you want

[18:46] <Zach> I have to go unload groceries

[18:46] <Zach> so leave your email addy as well!

[18:46] * baxter217 has joined #steeplemedia

[18:46] <Sandi> wtg you guys!!

[18:46] <scoutmom> ty

[18:46] <Zach> As a group, we lost a total of 60 pounds!!

[18:46] <scoutmom> :D

[18:47] <dumblonde> wow!! gj!

[18:47] <Zach> stay tuned for like 10 minutes and i will be announcing SFC2 stuff

[18:47] <Sandi> Thats awesome!

[18:47] <Zach> well, my CO-HOST can do that if she desires :)

[18:47] <Zach> that would be Scout

[18:47] * Zach claps

[18:47] * Zach is now known as BRB

[18:48] * baxter217 has quit IRC (AIRC Quit: Gotta go, I must have went to another page...)

[18:48] <scoutmom> aha

[18:48] * baxter217 has joined #steeplemedia

[18:48] <Sandi> what does gplash win?

[18:48] <scoutmom> idk!!!  geez, he took off and never said, lol

[18:49] <dumblonde> so all you have to do is guess the order, even if you are not in the club?

[18:49] <dumblonde> then you win stuff?

[18:49] <Sandi> and is there 2nd and 3rd prize?

[18:49] <scoutmom> that's correct

[18:49] <Sandi> DB too late - he already announced the order LOL

[18:49] <baxter217> db i cant get back into potc

[18:49] <scoutmom> He's giving out prizes to all who pm'd at least 3 correct

[18:49] <dumblonde> uh oh

[18:50] <Sandi> db you missed out on possibly winning a keychain bummer

[18:50] <Sandi> lol

[18:50] <dumblonde> lol, i will next time..........wait, when is next time?

[18:50] <Sandi> so who got at least 3 right?

[18:50] <scoutmom> I already won a red Idol cup from Zach's last contest - to talk like a pirate

[18:50] <scoutmom> It starts in July - the 12th I believe

[18:50] <dumblonde> thx

[18:51] <BRB> hey scout, you got 3

[18:51] <BRB> are you going to submit a prize entry?

[18:51] <scoutmom> I know - but I'll wait till others choose.

[18:51] <BRB> BTW, the winner of SFC1 gets a $25 amazon.com gift card!

[18:51] <scoutmom> What does gplash win?

[18:51] <BRB> lol

[18:51] <baxter217> db i can see what you are typing but there is nowhere for me to type and no names down the right hand side

[18:51] <BRB> woops

[18:51] * BRB is now known as Zach

[18:51] <Sandi> woohooo congrats gplash!

[18:52] <gplash1958> thanks.......

[18:52] <Zach> so um, any talk of SFC2 while i was gone?

[18:52] <gplash1958> no just got back myself

[18:52] <gplash1958> had to get dressed then run out to the car to get m y glasses and purse

[18:52] <scoutmom> no, just when it starts

[18:52] <Zach> ok

[18:53] <gplash1958> gotta leave in abt 5 minutes

[18:53] <Zach> Well, Final details will be released probably THIS THURSDAY on the SFC blog

[18:53] <Zach> but

[18:53] <gplash1958> date will be knocking on the door

[18:53] <Zach> we hope to have 14 contestants

[18:53] <Zach> or an even number

[18:53] <Zach> this time

[18:53] <Zach> there will be no mug shots

[18:53] * baxter217 has quit IRC (AIRC Quit: Gotta go, I must have went to another page...)

[18:53] <Zach> but there will be "eliminations"

[18:53] <gplash1958> lol

[18:53] <Zach> not like your ordinary eliminations tho

[18:54] <Sandi> oooo

[18:54] <gplash1958> that was the worst to have to take a front and side view

[18:54] <Zach> the even number of contestants will be split into two teams

[18:54] <Zach> (kinda like biggest loser)

[18:54] <Zach> the teams will both weigh in

[18:54] <scoutmom> Yeah, made you sore trying to suck and tuck, didn't it?

[18:54] <gplash1958> who sucked n tucked....lol

[18:54] <gplash1958> not me

[18:54] <Zach> team who doesnt lose the most during that week will be up for elimination

[18:54] <gplash1958> my belly and my boobs were even with each other...lol

[18:55] <Zach> that team PLUS the "public" will vote for the contestant they feel should get the kicker

[18:55] <Zach> now

[18:55] <Zach> the "kicked" off contestants will form a new team

[18:55] <Zach> and each pound they lose on the third team will count as a vote

[18:55] <Zach> towards chosing the winner

[18:55] <Zach> SO, the winner of SFC2 may not lose the most weight

[18:56] <Zach> but win by votes

[18:56] <Sandi> interesting twist

[18:56] <gplash1958> huh

[18:56] <Zach> oh sandi... thats not the twist

[18:56] <Zach> mwahahahahaha

[18:56] <Zach> lol

[18:56] <gplash1958> ok zach get on with it, i have to leave.....lol

[18:56] <Zach> alright

[18:57] <Zach> thats it i guess

[18:57] <Zach> congrats gp

[18:57] <gplash1958> thanks!!

[18:57] <Zach> let your date know what you just won lol

[18:57] <gplash1958> what did i win?

[18:57] <Zach> SFC

[18:57] <Zach> lol

[18:57] <gplash1958> an entryinto sfc2...lol

[18:57] <Zach> Thanks for attending the SFC1 OFFICIAL FINAL WEIGH-IN!!!!!

[18:58] <gplash1958> wish i could get at least 50 total off so it really LOOKS like a made some progress.....

[18:58] <Zach> yeah! i get to go on vacation 18 lbs lighter! woo hoo! lol

[18:58] <gplash1958> woo hoo

[18:58] <scoutmom> that's cool

[18:58] <Sandi> WTG Zach thats AWESOME

[18:58] <gplash1958> hey I even met a guy on the beach the other day...lol

[18:58] <Zach> yeah, thats like forgetting a suitcase

[18:58] <Zach> lol

[18:58] <gplash1958> but hes not the date tonight---

[18:58] <Sandi> well you all must be feeling great

[18:59] <Zach> yep

[18:59] <Zach> tell your friends sandi lol

[18:59] <gplash1958> lol

[18:59] <Sandi> I'm trying

[18:59] <Zach> good

[18:59] <Zach> no mug shots

[18:59] <Zach> lol

[18:59] <gplash1958> ok gotta run........cy'all

 

Reminder about the final LIVE SFC weigh-in!

Today, as I'm sure you are aware, is the day before the final Steeple Media Fit Club 1 Weigh-in, also known as the "Last Chance". I spent the entire day doing nothing but physical activity, trying to stay far away from carbs, etc. I spent most of the day, actually, on my xbox. Now, you ask, "How is that exercise?" I was playing "Dance Dance Revolution of course! That game is all exercise. I just bought it a few days ago and am hooked! Which is a good thing since... it's exercise!

So please join us in the chat room tomorrow to see who will be crowned the winner of SFC1! Also, we will be giving away a few prizes here and there over the half hour or so this weigh in takes place.

 

Also note that we are accepting applications for SFC2 which starts a month from tomorrow! That's only if we get enough people for it.  So let your friends know about it! There will be no mug shots this time, I will be editing all photo's taking face out. So, if you our someone you know wants to join in, email smfitclub@yahoo.com now! The sooner we get all 14 people, the better! Look for the NEW Official Rules soon!