As many of you may have noticed, Runtastic Fitness Coach Lunden is hosting her first ever DietBet beginning tomorrow, May 23rd. We were interested and intrigued by this new form of “healthy lifestyle encouragement” and had a brief chat with DietBet CEO, Jamie Rosen. Learn more about this social, gamified approach to dieting and consider joining Lunden for the “Runtastic DietBet with Lunden” to lose weight & win money: www.dietbet.com/RuntasticFitness

1) Hi Jamie!  Can you provide Runtastics with an overview of DietBet. What is DietBet and what inspired you to create this new weight loss platform?
DietBet is a “social dieting” game for losing weight. Unlike weight-loss tools that measure physical activity or help you count calories, DietBet works by supercharging your motivation. In the same way Runtastic makes you more excited to run, DietBet makes it fun to lose weight. It works by employing the principles of behavioral economics — financial incentives and loss aversion. Players bet money into the pot as they commit to lose 4% of their starting weight in 4 weeks (we’ll be offering other formats soon). Once you’ve bet money on yourself, the psychology of weight loss changes. It becomes easier to pass on dessert or pull yourself out of bed to get in a run. In addition to the money, you also get to compete and collaborate with other people working in tandem towards the same goal — it’s like running a big race with thousands of other runners, plus spectators cheering you on. The best part is that it works – 96% of our players lose weight.

I’ve been an avid runner for years and have experienced personally how running with a goal, and with other people, is so much more motivational and enjoyable than just running alone. When you’re training for a marathon or part of a running club, it’s so much easier to put in the hard work. I started DietBet around an idea called the Fun Theory, which says that hard things can be achieved more easily simply by making them fun. We’re doing this for weight loss now but the Fun Theory can also be applied to other areas in our lives that require discipline and healthy habits, like exercising regularly, quitting smoking, learning an instrument, etc. It’s a powerful idea.

2) Because everybody asks: How do you monitor the weigh-ins and keep people honest?
We created a weight verification process where players submit two photos of themselves being weighed. One shows it’s you on the scale in “airport security attire,” the other is a close-up of the scale’s readout with a “word-of-the-day” written on a piece of paper – this ensures that it’s a current photo. We also audit a percentage of players by requiring them to submit additional proof such as a live weigh-in via Skype with one of our DietBet Referees.

3) We know you’ve already worked with thousands of individuals trying to lose weight. Do you have numbers on successful weight loss, maintenance and what percentage of participants join additional DietBet games?
We keep improving our efficacy and now over 96% of participants lose weight — on average about 3 kilos in 4 weeks. We also see about a third of players repeating month after month, which is impressive when you consider that you can’t keep losing 4% of your weight indefinitely. We’re about to roll out a long-term game to help people who want to control their weight at a healthy level. We call this our Maintenance Game.

4) Do participants seem to find certain weight loss or support tools (i.e. training plans, mobile fitness/tracker apps, signing up with a friend, etc.) especially helpful?
Absolutely, our players love to combine apps with their DietBet. DietBetters use Runtastic to track their runs, MyFitnessPal to track what they eat, and they often form friend groups within their game to give them more support and encouragement. People sometimes play for charities, which also boosts their motivation to succeed.

5) Can you explain the concept of a DietBet game host and how they can influence a game? What is Lunden’s role as host of the “Runtastic DietBet with Lunden” in the coming weeks?
DietBet hosts are the pied pipers of DietBet who bring together friends and fans to get in shape together (in some cases thousands of them into a single game). A host can participate as a player or they can be more of a coach and cheerleader. In some cases hosts are professional trainers, authors, bloggers, and celebrities who we will hire to lead big games. In other cases, they’re just people who take the initiative to start a game at their office, club, or among their Facebook friends.

6) What is the highest DietBet pot a game has had thus far?
The highest pot so far has been US$66,700 and the biggest game has had 2,518 players.

7) What is the most any single individual has won so far?
We’ve seen some “high stakes” (bet size over US$100) private games organized amongst groups of friends, in which the winners took home over US$800 each.

8) How do you see DietBet growing and evolving in the coming months and years?
Right now, we just offer a 4-week weight-loss game. This summer we’ll be rolling out longer formats for weight loss games as well as games where the goal is to maintain your weight after you’ve lost it. Down the road, we are hoping to partner with devices and tracking tools like Runtastic to create games where the goal isn’t only weight loss but rather healthy habit formation, where the goal is to run consistently, eat well, sleep 8 hours a night, etc.

9) What suggestions can you give to an individual considering a DietBet for the first time? Words of inspiration for those looking to start their weight loss journey?
If you’ve struggled with your weight, you’ve probably tried all kinds of diets, only to lose the weight and gain it back. This is the yo-yo diet trap. We believe the root of the yo-yo problem – and indeed the unhealthy “foodscape” we live in – is that companies make a ton of money marketing processed, fattening foods to us and then turn around and make money selling us diet products. But while shakes and meal replacements can deliver short-term weight loss results, they rarely work over the long run. The only way to lose weight sustainably is to reprogram your habits. And while you’re at it, reprogram the habits of the people around you, because research has shown that your weight is affected by the weight of the people around you. We think a Social Dieting solution where people lose weight together is the best way to break this epidemic, just as social pressures and changing norms have helped people quit smoking. So if you’ve tried unsuccessfully to lose weight, try DietBetting with your friends, family, and co-workers!

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Week 4: With motivation and determination you can achieve any goal! 

Name: Gerhard Gulewicz

Age: 45

Location: Bad Ischl/Salzkammergut, Austria

Occupation: Ultra Cyclist

Website: www.gerhardgulewicz.net

RUNTASTIC: Hi Gerhard, we’re excited to introduce you to our Runtastics via the “FUNtastic Four” interview series. They’ll get to know you even better in the coming months when you take on the toughest bike race in the world, Race Across America, but let’s start with something a bit more simple. If you had to describe yourself with just three words or phrases… what would you choose?
I am a professional extreme athlete, consultant and motivational speaker.

RUNTASTIC: Great! We’re really looking forward to following your training this May, leading up to the Race Across America. What gave you the idea to put almost 5,000 km, without interruption, on your bike?
The entire story is beyond the scope of this interview. In short – due to a bet, I was introduced to cycling in 2000 and quickly decided that long distance was the type of racing I wanted to specialize in. I was able to establish itself quickly in this scene, and I achieved great success in 2005 with the 24-Hour Mountain Bike World Title. After winning the World Cup, I was on the lookout for more extreme cycling. And then, I found the one race that is truly interesting: Race Across America. This race is the Olympics of extreme cycling.

Before my transition to professional cycling, I worked as a consultant, speaker and motivational coach. With extreme sports, specifically Race Across America, I have found a platform where I can apply my theoretical knowledge into practice. However, even more importantly, I can transfer and test my entire coaching knowledge in real life application. It is this knowledge and these tested theories which I present in my current day lectures and coaching!

RUNTASTIC: Can you give us a glimpse of your “life” during Race Across America (RAAM)? How long do you ride? How long do you sleep? Do you have any time to eat?
At the start, I ride 40 hours non-stop, and then I take a one hour break. Then, I ride for another 24 hours, followed by another one hour break. I then increase my traveling time to 30 hours followed with a one hour break. This becomes by routine for the remainder of the race. Overall, I only sleep about 7 to 8 hours throughout the entirety of the race. I do EVERYTHING, but sleep, on the bike – eating, drinking, brushing teeth, and more! I only get off to use the restroom.

The diet is mostly in liquid form, so as not to overload the stomach. I must take in 10,000 – 18,000 calories and 15-24 liters of fluid per day, in order to compensate for my output.

RUNTASTIC: Unfortunately, the issue of doping is now closely linked with cycling. Are you able take on such a strenuous challenge without doping?
To start, doping is not a big issue in the extreme cycling world. Although I cannot speak for all riders, it makes very little sense for us. Especially with EPO to increase red blood cells. Because of the extreme endurance we undertake, any potential benefits from doping are more or less destroyed through our efforts. Our bodies operate in a totally different manner than other riders, and even tests can be misleading due to our high output, high risk of dehydration [and subsequent high fluid intake] and so on. Extreme cyclists, of course, need the same strength and tenacity used by a cyclist during a 3-hour stage of the Tour de France; however, we also need much, much more. For the remainder of the race we require very different characteristics, including: clear objectives, motivation and above all perseverance.

RUNTASTIC: So what is your secret? What makes you, at the age of 45, a contender in the toughest bike race in the world?
As already mentioned: goals, motivation and perseverance. Age is always relative. There is the famous saying: You’re only as old as you feel. Then I would probably be 17 (laughing). No, joking aside. I have filled my entire life with endurance sports, particularly these past 12 years. I’ve trained at a very high level, but I can still improve. I can see that based on my performance. And I’ve always said, “As long as I can still improve, I will continue.”

Clearly it is difficult to compete against the sometimes much younger competitors. But I have proven time and again in recent years that I can compete with anybody.

I’ve repeatedly stressed via the media: I will participate in RAAM, until I have won the race. Often, I had nearly attained my goal. Often, but then something would come up. RAAM is so extreme, not only physically, but in other respects as well. The route, the weather (heat, wind, rain) and much more! These points are, and were, often decisive when it comes to race victory. So one needs a bit of luck. And, I am fully convinced that one year I will have both the ability and the dash of required luck to win… Why not 2013??

RUNTASTIC: Amongst all your successes, what has been the greatest moment in your sporting career?
Every success is “the most incredible” at the time. And, my desire for the future is obvious: a RAAM 2013 victory!

RUNTASTIC: And lastly, can you offer up your top three sports tips for our users?
You have to set clear goals and attack them with a lot of motivation and perseverance!

In other words: Set yourself a clear sports or fitness goal. Plan your way to achieving your goal properly (training content). Make sure to train with high quality rather than high quantity. And, the motivation to complete your training and reach your goal must come from within yourself. Success will come quickly if you follow the first two points of this “guide.”

But the determining factor is perseverance. Do not let yourself be swayed when something does not work or progress perfectly. Bumps in the road are quite normal. The road to success is not always a straight linear path upward. But if you have enough stamina, then you will always come back to your right path – and SUCCESS is then inevitable!

RUNTASTIC: Thanks for the great interview and good luck at RAAM 2013!

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For the eighth consecutive time, Gerhard Gulewicz will be taking on the toughest bike race in the world. The race begins June 12th, and Runtastic is proud to be supporting his efforts!

Join us, as Gerhard attacks the almost 5,000 km across the American continent as fast as he can. YOUR CHEERS and the support of all Runtastics will help him conquer the unimaginable physical and mental hardships he’s sure to encounter.

Learn more about Gerhard’s participation in Race Across America 2013 here: www.runtastic.com/raceacrossamerica

GO GO GO! Gerhard Gulewicz! We LIKE IT!

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My name is Peter Scharinger. I am 27 years old and a member of the Austrian National Judo Team.

In 1996, I tried my first shoulder throws and strangle techniques in the elementary school of my home town, Neufelden (in Mühlkreis), Austria. I displayed exceptional talent, so I transferred to a specialized high school for athletes in Linz, Austria. Following my motto, “Let’s just see what I can achieve,” I tried my luck there. And, since the foundation of my professional judo career was established, I haven’t regretted my decision once.

However, I’ve done more than just train my upper arms, but also the “muscle” between my ears, to get where I am today. After having successfully concluded high school, I transferred to the Austrian Army’s athletes’ center in Linz, where I – luckily – had already had training sessions during my time in high school. Ever since, I have been polishing my judo skills and improving my throwing and stranglehold techniques to beat my opponents with even greater success.

My greatest successes include:

• 3rd rank in the U23 European Championship in Zagreb, Croatia

• 5th rank in the European Championship in Istanbul, Turkey

• 4 medals in World Championship competitions

• 3 time Austrian Judo Champion

• Part of the Austrian National Team in European and World Championships

• Several years amongst the World’s Top 40 (73 kg category)

Training several times per day is essential if you want to stay among the world’s top judo athletes. Carpe diem – seize the day! Two training sessions are obligatory, and sometimes I can squeeze in a third one. This is how things work – how they have to be.

Here’s an overview of my typical training week:

• Monday: judo, strength training, endurance training

• Tuesday: judo, special strength training, judo

• Wednesday: stabilization training, endurance, judo

• Thursday: strength, endurance, judo

• Saturday: endurance

• Sunday: sleep in (unless there is a competition)

It is vital for athletes to have concrete training goals and to record the training sessions. We have to analyze them, draw conclusions and then improve. In the past – meaning before Runtastic (we athletes usually refer to these times as “the Dark Ages”) – this was not an easy endeavor. But thanks to the app, this is now a walk in the park! Thanks to Runtastic, I have perfect control of my endurance training sessions. I work out at my optimal heart rate, I can rely on voice feedback during interval trainings, and more.

And I get all that from one single app. I love that!

Also the analysis of my training sessions on Runtastic.com is extremely detailed, while still presented in a neat and clear manner. I am able to save tons of time thanks to this innovative app – much to the joy of my girlfriend, by the way!

I actually use Runtastic for all my endurance training sessions now – be it running, cycling, cross-country skiing or push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.

Every time I open the app and see the huge amount of data presented in this straightforward manner, I get an extra kick of motivation! What are my running times? My average speed? And these questions always and inevitably lead to another one: Can I run even faster?

The opportunity for permanent competition with yourself and with others has been created and is available to everyone. So what are you waiting for? Or, as we say before each judo combat: Hajime!

Nick Hardrath could teach us all a thing or two. It’s one thing to be active, but it’s quite another to turn your health and fitness activities into a profession. In addition to competing in Ironmans and numerous other triathlon and road races throughout North America, Nick pays the bills by designing graphics, kits, hardware, and more for cycling and sport teams. Learn more about Nick, Hardrath Design, and consider how your active lifestyle can influence other areas of your life!

 

 

1) Hi Nick. Thanks for taking the time to chat with Runtastic. Let’s start at the beginning: What made you hit the trail the first time, and how did biking come to play such a big role in your life?

Aside from the first bike my parents gave me in elementary school, I distinctly remember saving up and purchasing my own mountain bike when I was 12. I went to my local shop and picked out the model, color and accessories – it was an intimate experience and is one of the few purchases I still get just as excited to make as an adult. The bike gave me the incredible new freedom of riding to baseball practice and exploring new areas of the country. It was, and still is, an easy way to get outside and take in nature, explore things at a slower pace, get exercise, and break away from the mundane tasks of everyday life.

2) As you grew up and moved around, your biking habits must have evolved. How has biking remained a part of your life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin? Tell us about the “bike culture” in the city.

The move from a small town (population 600) to Milwaukee, WI brought exposure to a different environment and a deeper, more complex cycling culture. Access to so much more, including trail systems created specifically for road and mountain bikes. Exposure to daily die hard commuters who rode year round; to road cyclist who trained hard for summer racing; to triathletes and recreational cyclists who enjoy the weather and charity rides. My habits transformed as I latched onto all things cycling. Group rides, charity events, raising funds for the local bike federation (Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin), joining a team, racing, supporting local bike shops. I realized I wasn’t the only one that had the feelings of freedom while on a bike and embraced the culture I was becoming immersed in.

3) How do you see Runtastic becoming a bigger part of the cycling community? In what ways do you think apps and online fitness communities can help new and experienced riders alike?

With running and cycling, I enjoy keeping track of mileage or the amount of time during the activity. You can dissect the information and analyze it as much or as little as you desire. If it’s a simple commute to work, it’s nice to see monthly totals. On average, I usually reach 250 – 300 monthly miles commuting. While it doesn’t seem like a large number daily, it is easy pre- and post-work exercise. If everyone tracked these miles, it would really show the larger impact of cycling on a community (environmental and traffic impact, for example). Tracking could also aid in more trails being built for cycling and running infrastructure.

For those who are more active, Runtastic can be a competitive tool for challenging yourself or others. What’s the longest ride you can complete? How many days can you ride consecutively? It helps unite people that enjoy the same hobby. Runtastic provides an easy way to track rides without feeling overly analytical.

4) Too few people are able to turn their passion into a profession, but you’ve done just that. How were you able to integrate your talents and passions? Advice for others looking to do the same?

So many parents tell their children to do what they love, and mine sure did. My passion has always been art, in one form or another. I grew up with a toolbelt on (Dad), sometimes filled with paintbrushes (Mom). With the aid of my high school art teacher and shop instructor, I was turned onto Industrial Design and Graphic Design. During college, I was asked to design my first cycling kit. It was so much fun taking the personality and sponsors of the team and creating the aesthetic for the team – I was hooked. My work covers Product Design, as well as Graphic Design. Roughly 75% of my work is graphic work for the endurance and adventure sports markets. It worked out well that my passions meshed well with my work. Looking around at local race shirts, I knew most were stock art that lacked personality. No team or event is the same, same thing should go for the aesthetic identities.

If you have a passion and see room to make it part of your job, start off small with a solid plan of attack. We live in a world of constant change; almost everything is based off of something before it. Take what you see and make it better in your own way. I created a blog and started to post projects to keep motivation and to keep projects coming in.

5) Quick question: Do you have a particular project or product you’re particularly proud of? If so, which one and what really makes it shine?

I’ve received great feedback on two cycling kits for 2013 – The Early Bird Women’s of Northern California (www.earlybirdwomen.com) and Team Velocause of Milwaukee, WI (www.velocause.org). Supporting the ideas behind projects really makes designing a pleasure. The cycling kits usually contain a jersey, bib shorts, jackets, arm and leg warmers, gloves, etc. The fun is developing the identity or overall look of the clothing and logos for the teams.

6) Where do you see yourself in ten years? How will biking be a part of your life?

I don’t think there’s any question at this point that cycling will always be a part of my life. Aside from the active pursuits of cycling, I would like to give more time to advocating recreational paths and safe city riding. Knowledge is power. It seems that drivers who aren’t active, aren’t fans of people on bikes; people on bikes aren’t fans of aggressive drivers. The more we can help steer away from this mindset, the better off everyone will be. The Netherlands are doing a great job – the bicycle cultur e and infrastructure there is fantastic.

7) Another quickie! What’s your favorite race of all time and why?

Ironman Wisconsin is a fantastic race. It was my first Ironman and I was able to share the entire experience with my girlfriend, Heidi. My favorite ride to-date is the Scenic Shore 150. It’s a 2-day tour that winds along Lake Michigan. It’s fully supported with rest stops, and you get to raise funds for a great cause. Does it get any better?

8) Final question: What are your suggestions to those who want to hop on the saddle, but feel like they don’t know where to get started? What words of wisdom for future cyclists?

Everyone is different, cycling is no different. There are so many different types of riding, so many great places to ride, and so many people to meet in doing so. Start off slow and get some basic tips from other folks who ride. Find some safe routes or get a group together and make it a fun outing. I find that leaving the daily stress behind and just going out for a nice ride is one of the best balances in life – it truly is contagious.