We have made it thru TWO rounds of
Game On.
Fifteen people have found a way to navigate thru the game, lose weight and change their lives all at the same time. They've been in the Netherlands, Minnesota, Miami and Scotland {that's me. hehe}.
And I just wanted to remind ya'll what is involved. In case you are interested in joining us. Because I want you to!
If you have ever wanted to get SERIOUS about losing weight and living healthier? This is the way to do it. Being part of a team, and having someone else depend on your success? Great incentive to keep on the right track.
Even if you don't have weight to lose {lucky ducks}, you can STILL play. I'll tell you how in a bit.
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Just a BIT of a warning. This is going to be a LONG post. But you will want to stick around and check it ALL out.
Trust me, you do.
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This whole game is based on
THIS BOOK.
But, we {my friend
Sonja and I...who baked up this idea back in the day} have wanted to make sure that people could succeed, and the diet they suggest in the book? Tough stuff. Similar to South Beach, which can be a drastic change for folks.
And so we decided to be nice {honestly, the niceness comes pretty naturally for us}, and adjusted the rules a bit. And after two rounds of people taking part in the game with our adapted rules? We have had success.
* * *
SO here is the low down, starting first with the points that you can GAIN each week:
#1. Meals/Food (a person can get up to 30 points/day in this category):
In the book, they detail a listing of "flabby" foods {to not be eaten} and FYT {Flatten your tummy} foods. But they also say on their web-site {http://thegameondiet.com/} that you can follow Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or any other diet as well. So, friends, that is up to you.
Now that we have been doing this, people have used Weight Watchers, sparkpeople.com, Vitashakes, the Game On diet, and more. And I believe everyone has lost weight. So there.
#2. Exercise (20 points/day):
Pretty simple. You exercise at least 20 minutes a day {breaking a sweat}, you get 20 points. You don't exercise? You don't get the points. You exercise 10 minutes a day? You don't get the points. It's 20 minutes people. We CAN do this.
TIME OUT: Stick through to the end. I have good news for you. Really good news.
#3. Sleep (15 points/day):
Participants must sleep at least seven hours each night. You do that, you get 15 points. Easy, right?
And for all the mommas out there saying "but my baby won't let me sleep for seven straight hours!", this rule means you INTEND to sleep seven hours. So, if you know the sweet joy {a.k.a. your baby} is going to wak up at 6 a.m.? Go to sleep by 11 p.m. If she {or he} wakes up during the night interrupting your sleep? That's alright, you still get the points.
#4. Water (10 points/day):
Go find that water jug. Go. I'll wait here.
Alright. You need to drink 3 liters per day. That is 101 ounces. 12 cups. This WILL take some getting used to {it is often the
hardest part of the game for folks}, but you WILL get used to it and your body will adapt.
#5. New Habit (10 points/day):
Pick a good, healthy habit to start doing. And do it. Ideas include organizing, journaling, reading devotions, spending more one on one and
focused time with your kids.
My next good habit is may have something to do with writing. Like committing myself to write for 30 minutes per day. Maybe. Maybe not. I have lists of good & old (bad) habits to choose from.
#6. Old Habit (10 points/day):
Pick an old, bad habit {not like nuns wear} and STOP doing it.
Something like checking Facebook every single hour of the day? Or playing Angry Birds like its your job? Yup, one of those might just be mine.
#7. Communication (5 points):
In order to get these dandy 5 points, you need to be in communication with at least one of your teammates and one of your opponents once a day. We make this pretty darn easy. This last round we have a completely private Facebook group, where you can easily communicate with opponents and your teammate alike.
It is supposed to involve trash talking. But we aren't so good at the trash talking. So, it ends up being a huge spot for encouragement and accountability.
THE GOOD NEWS? You get a day off!!! More about that at the end...the very end.
Hehe. See how I did that? I even snuck a pic of my boy in here. Looks like he is lounging, taking some time off, right?
Alright, so here are
the penalties.
It's a game people. There have to be penalties {I guess}.
#1. Scale Penalty (Deduct 1 point per penalty): If you weigh yourself more than once a day? Take off a point for each time.
#2. Snacking Penalty (Deduct 10 points per penalty): You get five meals. Don't eat at other times of the day. Like when you are sitting in front of the t.v. at night watching The Bachelor {oh, that's just me...when I am in the States?}, don't be chomping on potato chips. If you end up doing Weight Watchers, consider a 1-4 point overage a snacking penalty.
#3. Collusion Penalty (Deduct 20 points per penalty): Be honest. Don't try to convince a teammate or opponent to cheat with you. Just don't do it. It isn't fair. Nope, not a bit. If you do it? Take off 20 points.
#4. Alcohol Penalty (Deduct 25 points per penalty): Other than your day off or your meal off, if you have alcohol? 25 points deducted. Each time you imbibe.
#5. Change your Habit: See #s 6 and 7 above? Change them? Deduct 50 points. So make sure they are good ones. :-)
You get bonus points for:
**Reaching your fitness/weight loss goal (1% of your starting weight that week): 20% of total points earned.
This is where those lucky ducks that DON'T need to lose weight come in. You can set a fitness goal {something like running 25 miles in a week...wowza}, and if you reach that goal you get the 20% bonus as well.
**Reporting your score to your team scorekeeper on time (10 points). Easy peasy.
ALRIGHT, so this is the good news you have been waiting for....
DAY OFF! Yup, you get one. Do what you want with the day. Want a glass of wine {or two}? Drink it. Tired of exercising? Take a break. Even the habits...this is your day off, enjoy it. Plus, you also get a
MEAL OFF. So if you are following the book's diet, you can indulge in your favorite carbs, etc. and not worry about the points. And you get to indulge in a serving of alcohol. Got it?
The length of the game? Four weeks. Doable, right? {starting Monday, March 26}
The cost? $40 USD {payable on paypal}
Oh...the prize. Cash. Cold, hard cash{well, via the internet}. Upwards of $100 or more, depending on the # of people playing.
So, now that I am done with the LONGEST post ever.
Are you in?
Did I scare you away?
Any questions?
Let me know in the comment section.
Now? I'm off to take a nap. Ha. Haha.
