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| I'm a list maker, and a person who puts things on my list that I've already completed before making the list. I get satisfaction out of seeing a list with checkmarks of what I've gotten done in a day (or week)....so I "get" the points motivation. It is a way of showing steady increments of healthy lifestyle, and relative value of each choice. Reading articles is good, but you can't get the same good out of reading 100 today as you would out of reading 3 every day for a month, because you would not absorb the info as well. Same with exercise, only so much is good at a time. It's a glorified checklist to me, and yes, it is very morivational! The fact that I can now use them to send encouraging and engaging "goodies" to others on SP is icing on the cake! I love it!
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| Yes, I agree with that,, a great motivator,,
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This is what the spark points mean to me. It means that I can add points on the board if I've completed my exercise for the day; that I've recorded all my water intake; that I've read interesting articles that's going to keep me motivated; that I've posted on someone else's page to keep them motivated; and when I see that number going higher and higher then I know that I've accomplished my goals for the day to help me reach my ultimate goal. Now, it means that I can give a virtual spark gift to someone else who may be struggling a little bit, or who has achieved a great feat. If you are honest with making the points, then they can mean so much.
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THEMOTIVATOR1
4/6/08 1:36 P
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| Points are like a child waiting for a piece of candy or a dog waiting for a treat. Last week I took a spin on the wheel and concentrated on the 25 and that is where the wheel stopped.
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| I love the point system. If it were not for the points, I wouldn't feel so motivated. Competion I guess. I like Club Pogo too, because of the badges you earn.
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I like to see how many I can get each day, then I stop by someone else's Spark Page and leave a goodie to brighten their day!
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| exatcly!! The word team does not have an "I" in it!! We are all in this together, for each other as well as ourselves!!
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SUPERMOUSE35
4/5/08 12:18 A
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| I love Spark Points. They definitely help keep me motivated. I like moving from one trophy level to the next, and it keeps me coming back to the site everyday. I know it's nothing real, but it's fun and I figure hey, whatever works, you know?
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So glad to hear that you can fix your intestinal problem non-invasively! Been there, done that too!! Invasively...
also glad to hear that you told hubby; yes guys DO lose weight faster and easier, it is body composition!! They also do not have as many parts inside, plus they do not have children,, the hormonal thing alone messes with your metabolism! Be kind to yourself, maybe exercise WITH your older kids, even running in-place in front of the TV watching spongebob or whatever!!! Do not stop drinking water, as it softens up what you need to get rid of much easier!
Been there, done that too!!!
Isn't nature glamorous??LOL LOL..we all unsderstand, that is the key, we have many years of experience, combined, to help each other; if you wonder, ASK!!!
You are all doing great jobs in this journey, working with what you have, right?? Keep it up!!
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BABYGIRLH07
3/30/08 11:07 A
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| TGothcer...I hope everything is well with you....I had a similar situation after I had my baby where a tumor (noncancerous) ruptured my appendix which in turn ruptured my intestine into a huge abscess....But all is well now and I am healing..It'll be a year in July and SparkPeople is helping me keep healthy in the meantime...Good luck and God bless...
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PYLOSOPHIA
3/30/08 10:46 A
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| Sorry to hear that TGOTCHER...At least you know that something is wrong, and now you can do something to fix it, and stay healthy, too. Keep up the good work...I see that you have lost quite a few pounds already!
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| I posting again I went to the doctor the other day I had a x-ray that showed that I had a blockage in my intestines I've felt so bloated for awhile and my waist has been bigger. That would probably explain the weight gain. The doctor had me start taking MiraLax and a stool softener and to continue on it for a year. Fun. Not really.
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Thank you I didn't know I would get so many replies. My husband did apologize he said he just doesn't understand. To him all he has to do is get out and run or to weight lift and that doesn't take to much for him to do. He just needs a "very firm" push(HA! HA!)to get him to workout.
tgotcher
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THEMOTIVATOR1
3/29/08 2:51 P
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| the point is you get something. It's like almost the feeling you get with a prize in a box of Cracer Jacks
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I, too thought that the points were useless when I started last month, but continue to access the different sites for my good!
As far as the person whose hubby makes fun of her and the points, and it hurts her feelings, I guess I would look that person in the eye and tell them how I feel, then if they still do it, I would ask them why they would purposely do something to hurt a person they say they love.
Also, you may have to come to the realization that the people you are asking over and over for support, are not the right people! It is like trying to squeeze an orange to receive apple juice: if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten!
Try going to different teams, reading through the replies, then send a private message to somebody whom you seem to click with..
it does not take long, and all you've lost is a few minutes, just don't give up, and remember, none of us suddenly woke up one morning and realized we were overweight, it did not happen overnight, so it will not go away overnight,, don't do this for anybody but yourself,, look in the mirror and smile at the person you see, that is who you will see forever!
If nobody will help you where you are , go to where somebody WILL help you,, hope this helps,, it took me a long time to figure it out too.. peace out,
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TERRIEJO53
3/29/08 12:31 P
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| Does there have to be a point? I just enjoy watching the points go up. The ones I value the most are the ones I get for exercising because those are the hardest for me to earn. Some days the exercise points are the only thing that get me up and exercising, and that gives them great value, not just on the scoreboard, but as a tool to improving my over all health.
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SHERBEARMEGAN
3/29/08 12:05 P
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I am a little competitive so I like to get the highest rank I can.
I have also learned new information about health and exercise I might not of by reading articles for points.
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WAN2LOSE50
3/28/08 3:07 P
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| The points are just another way of tracking progress, I like them because it makes me want to read the articles, post messages and track all the other stuff! After reading all these articles, a healthy lifestyle is becoming natural. I find myself talking about all the stuff I have learned on this site. Everything sinks in when you are just trying for more points!!
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KATIE.HEGYI
3/28/08 11:09 A
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| The points are just fun! Its like getting agold star on your report card! Enjoy your stars!
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RAWLINDA_SUE
3/24/08 2:48 P
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I love SparkPoints!
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JDGONZALES
3/20/08 3:52 P
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It's like getting a high score ... every little trick to keep yourself on track. Just have fun with it !
oops I just got 3 more for posting this message!
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CLEANEATER
3/20/08 3:15 P
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tgotcher, I'm sorry that you haven't been able to find support close to home. But you'd be surprised at how common that is. Many times the people closest to us feel threatened when we make changes to better ourselves. I think the SparkPoints work differently for everyone. If you don't find them motivating, then you can ignore them - I think you can even take the My SparkPoints thingy off your sidebar by clicking on customize Today on Sparkpeople button.
As for your weight gain, I agree that you should avoid weighing yourself more than once a week. I was weighing myself two or three times a day every day for two years and only saw my weight go UP. When we focus too heavily on the scale, it can actually have the opposite effect to what we want. Try to focus on the positive changes you are making in your life, like eating more healthfully and being more active. You don't have to eat perfectly or work out like a maniac, either! Every small step you make will make a difference. And try to measure your progress in ways other than pounds. I've been back on the weight loss wagon for a few weeks now, and while I just saw the scale go down today, I've actually lost inches around my waist and hips. So the scale is definitely not everything!
I, too, encourage you to find a SparkTeam, or a buddy here at SP to give you the support and encouragement you need. You CAN achieve your goals - you just need to believe in YOU.
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The SparkPoints are fun. That's what they are for. That is enough. Fun is a good thing.
Why does your husband tease you for trying to better yourself and be healthier. Tell him it is not OK to say things to you that hurt.
This is for YOU. You can do this even if the people in your life are not helpful.
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MRSPRINCESS07
3/18/08 4:28 P
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Only weigh yourself 1 day every week or 2. Always weigh in on the same day at about the same time. Our bodies fluctuate throughout the day as much as 4-6 pounds.
As for the points, its a way for us to stay encouraged. It helps you see just how active you are, how often you're posting and so on. It's a tool used to keep u moving forward.
Negative thoughts won't help you. If you;re not finding a small portion of people to help, then find new teams to join. It takes some playing with but I know you can find teams that will motivate you. Don't get involved with negative teams or negative people. That only decreases your chances of success.
Also know that it may take longer to lose the weight to reach your goals. I've been in the 180's since November, but I know progress is being made. It's just about making healthy changes and living a healthy and productive lifestyle. Once you've begun this, everything else will fall into place.
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My husband doesn't understand the point of the points but as far as me I do. But, lately he teases me about spark points and it does hurt a little because I have no one here to help me. I ask the hand fulls I do know that workout or are athletic but it's either I'll get back to you later or I don't know I have school. Even when I get exited about working out everyone just shrugs it off. So, I just wanted to find out so I actually have another answer for him.
Maybe its stress, and most of the weight is in my stomach I notice and it changes a lot in the day too.
tgotcher
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SP_COACH_DEAN
3/17/08 2:27 P
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HI, T
Sparkpoints are just a way of encouraging and rewarding people for doing the things that seem to help most people lose weight--tracking food and exercise, getting the info they need, participating in support groups and activities, etc.
Do you know why you're gaining weight? Are you staying in your calorie range but still gaining, or are you having problems sticking to your eating and exercise plans? If you're sticking to your calorie and exercise goals pretty well and can't explain your weight gain, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor to see if there is any metabolic or medical problem going on that could cause that much weight gain in such a short time.
Hope this helps.
Coach Dean
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I just wonder, you get all these points for articles, exercising, etc. What for? You can't buy any thing for them other than virtual Goodies but, how is that encouraging? You can't do anything with it but look at it. I hope I'm not to negative but, I just haven't felt very encouraged lately. I'm trying to work hard and instead of losing any weight or inches I've gained a little over 10 pounds in the last month and a half.
tgotcher
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