Spark Points, Just a game or Something More?

They motivate/prompt/remind me to use the site and read the articles and such daily.

It motivates me to stay focused by reading the many articles, also I am learning much about myself, health, fitness, and nutrition.

Motivation to keep coming back!

Use them as a motivator to exercise daily.

they motivate to explore deeper than the tracker into the sparkpeople site such as reading articles.

I think the sparkpoints are fun and motivating!

I aim to get 100 points + a day and I read the articles and do websearches all the time. It is a great wealth of information. I often wonder when people post about lack of motivation, why am I not losing weight etc.....have they read any of the Health and Fitness Articles, searched the issue on Spark People. The answers they are looking for are in there, they just have to go get them!

It serves as a prompt, and a reinforcer for me. I feel compelled to do the tasks which gets me to plan, drink my water, read the articles, etc. in order to get the most points I can. It's keeping me going.

The biggest thing I use my points on is to encourage and support my Sparkfriends. And they, in turn, support me. That camaraderie has done SO much for my efforts here; I come here and log in and aim for my 100 points a day even if I'm not feeling up to it, because I have friends who worry if I'm not here. That community aspect, reaching out to others, commenting on blogs, sparkpages, answering posts... it's gotten me this far, and it'll get me farther yet!

They work as a great motivator for me!

well said, and a good reminder to those who post simply for the purpose of points.

I don't spend as much time reading all the healthy articles as I should, but, when I need information, I usually can find it on the SP site.

In the beginning following the points showed me around the sparkpeople site. They still provide an easy way around. I'm not sure I would read the articles if not for the points pointing me in that direction. They are a big motivator for me.

As many of us seek to improve our health, many still are focused on entertainment that has no other purpose but to break up the monotony of our daily routines!

There is nothing wrong with trying to fill our day with entertainment that detracts from the seriousness of each day that adds to our daily burdens! This can be a beneficial way of reducing the stresses of life.

When it comes to Spark Points, there can be a greater benefit realized if the real purpose for which they have been provided is pursued to attain their true benefits! They are intended to be a motivational tool and reminder that at every location where Spark Points are offered, there is a truly greater reward to be taken advantage of by simply accepting the gifts that are provided! Some of the Gifts Include:
Knowledge that equips you to meet and exceed your goals.
Challenges in the form of quizzes and training opportunities.
Inspiration and information on healthy recipes.
Opportunities to connect on blogs and posts as well as being held accountable.
Opportunities to keep up with the latest health news as well as ways to make healthy changes to your lifestyle!
Spark-Site and Web search points encourage Sparky's to research and answer those questions they may have but haven't found yet!
Spark Points are a kind of marker set at the locations where the GOLD of the Spark People plan can be found!

If you grab your points, you are doing well and there are no Spark Police to monitor your efforts!

If you find the GOLD and make every effort to make that your priority, you'll be doing even better!

If you'd like to take an opportunity here to share how Spark Points have led the way on your path to success, you might just help to inspire others to take the path less taken!

Personally, the points mean nothing to me. The trophies and gifts and points only help to indicate and track the time I have invested in improving my health and knowledge to do so. But it is what is found where these points are offered where I find the benefits that I take greater joy in collecting each day!