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!

***

Name: Michael Maldonado
Location: USA
Profession: Fitness Addict
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Maldonado/163448377140781

RUNTASTIC: Hey Michael, welcome to our FUNtastic Four interview series. It’s great to have you here with us. How do you feel right now?
I feel great! Really honored to be a part of this amazing series!

RUNTASTIC: We’ve already read a lot about you and your inspiring fitness story. To make a long story short, can you please tell our users what challenges you have faced in your life thus far? 
Well, I was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic at the age of four and suffered a diabetic coma by the age of 13. After my encounter, I began working out to better my health and a few years later, at the age of 19, I was diagnosed with cancer – Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I received various treatments and ultimately beat the disease. Shorty after being in remission, I developed Coronary Heart Disease and continue to battle to this day.

RUNTASTIC: It is said that personal health setbacks are often a kind of turning point or defining moment in someone’s life. What do you think when you hear that?
In my case, these drastic challenges made me a far better person than I was before. By that I mean that I was able to find a strength within myself that I otherwise probably wouldn’t have. It gave me the drive to fight and changed my overall mindset on how to attack obstacles.

RUNTASTIC: With all the personal setbacks in your life, did anything change in regard to your goals or your perspective on fitness, health, and wellness?
My initial goal with fitness was to always better my health and control my diet. Each new challenge that I came into contact with only made my goals that much more important. A healthy body is a strong body, and no matter the challenge my goals with regard to fitness will always remain the same.

RUNTASTIC: Is/are there some thing(s) that you have realized about yourself that you didn’t know about yourself before you had to experience all those tough challenges?
One really important thing I realized is how powerful the mind can be over matters of the body. At first, I didn’t think I was going to make it, I didn’t think that I had the strength to take on all those challenges. I quickly found out that my will to live was far stronger than anything in my way.

RUNTASTIC: You are still a very young person and I’ve heard that doctors have already warned you about your intense level of fitness and workouts? Have you ever thought about doing less, stepping back, taking it easy?
I’ve been told many things about my health and its not to say that I shouldn’t be careful. However, I know my body better than anyone else and with that I know how far I can push myself. Sometimes people are unaware of how strong they truly are. I was once told to be proud, but never satisfied, and to always have the desire to keep pushing.

RUNTASTIC: If you were asked to give advice to someone who’s currently experiencing a similar health issue, what would you say to him/her? What advice would you offer other people going through tough times?
My main advice to anyone dealing with a similar issue, or any issue for that matter, is too keep pushing! Never let someone tell you that you can’t do it. It’s very important to maintain a positive mindset and with that you can overcome anything in your path to success.

RUNTASTIC: Thank you for this inspiring interview. Is there anything else you want to add?
I would like to thank all the supporters and everyone that has encouraged me to keep fighting. All the compliments and positive energy that I have been receiving are my strongest weapon to finding inner strength. Thank you all!

RUNTASTIC: Thank you! We appreciate that. Keep up your great work and all the best for your future!
Thank you again for this opportunity.

***

Stairs are a great way to boost cardio endurance, while engaging the core and toning the lower body. Stair workouts are my absolute favorite to do because of the wonders they do for your legs and how tired I get afterwards. I know I am doing a really effective workout if I can burn myself out completely in 20 minutes or less. This 20-minute Sensational Stair Workout can be done on stairs at the beach, park, house or even gym. Make sure your core is always engaged and you stay on the balls of your feet when moving from stair to stair for the most controlled and explosive movement. 

There are four rounds: 4 minutes on (moving), 1 minute off (rest)

Each round varies by foot variation on the steps up. On the way down always do a controlled single step descent.

Round 1
Single step followed by skip-a-step
Alternating every other time the entire 4 minute duration
1 minute rest

Round 2
Bunny hop followed by skip-a-step
Alternating every other time the entire 4 minute duration
1 minute rest

Round 3
Skip 2 steps (controlled walking pace) followed by single step
Alternating every other time the entire 4 minute duration
1 minute rest

Round 4
Single leg hop (half on each side) followed by single step
Alternating every other time the entire 4 minute duration
1 minute rest

This is an INTENSE and EFFECTIVE 20 minute workout so, please, do not get discouraged if it seems too difficult the first time. There would be no point in a workout if it was super easy to do the first time. So, next time you see stairs on your run, incorporate some of these variations. If you know of a stadium or track nearby, switch it up and go there for your workout and to get in an awesome stair workout. Keep up the good work, you are always a STEP ahead from where you were yesterday and today is not the day to quit!

Check out the video here: http://youtu.be/ydAjynaxqbU

***

Mention Monday and some people will think of the Monday blues. Luckily, they are in the minority.  The majority of people positively look to Monday as an opportunity to revamp their routine, according to research by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Surveys conducted by The Monday Campaigns (TMC), a nonprofit public health organization, shows that people are more likely to start diets and exercise regimens, quit smoking and schedule doctor’s appointments on Monday than on any other day.  TMC, associated with Johns Hopkins, Columbia and Syracuse universities, says that People set weekly health intentions and are looking for help during the first day of the week.

So why Monday?  It’s the January of the week, when you can resolve to do better.  Use this day to reboot and press the “Restart” button.  The beauty of Monday is that if offers 52 chances a year to begin anew, to live a longer, healthier life!

The Monday Campaigns founder Sid Lerner, who has a way with words driven by his experience as one of the original Mad men, says “Friday’s payday, Saturday’s play day, and Sunday’s pray day. We wanted to play on that, so we’re trying to make Monday the ‘all health breaks loose’ day.”  Sid, by the way, was on the creative team behind the iconic Mr. Whipple/Don’t Squeeze the Charmin ad campaign.

With the power of Monday, Runtastic with The Monday Campaigns, are working together to motivate everyone in America and around the world to use this day as their week’s start for health and wellness.  In keeping with Runtastic’s goal to improve your fitness, Runtastic will highlight Healthy Monday Tips.  They are designed to help you begin the week with the prompt you need to start and sustain healthy behavior change.  By setting the first day of each week, Healthy Monday tips can inspire people to think about and focus on their own health and the health of their families and friends.

Today’s Healthy Monday tip is:  Revive your Routine

Having a consistent fitness routine is the easiest way to make activity part of your daily life. When planning your exercise, aim for SMART moves (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely): pick a time, place and activity that fits into your life and stick with it!

Find three places in your schedule this week where you can fit fitness. It may be in the morning, during your lunch break, before dinner or in the evening. Recommit to these times at the end of the week, or adjust your work-out schedule if need be.

***