What 3 words will Focus my posts for 2011?
Learn, Leverage, Grow
Learn: The hallmark of human intelligence is learning from other people’s mistakes. Experience is something you get just after needing it! Can we use Social Media like Twitter to learn faster? Am going to find out in 2011
Leverage: This is about taking ideas and finding their true pivot point and tipping points. If I had a lever big enough I could move the world.” Archemedes Social Media provides a type of Leverage and this is topic to vastly explore in 2011.
Grow: At the end of the day it is about growth. I do believe in the adage Grow or Die. Even read the Book (found on sidebar to the right) and recommend it. I want to grow as a person and believe our collective world benefits from growth. Of course, cancer is uncontrolled growth. So topics about growth will make for great posts as well. One thing I do not want to grow any further is my waistline. Hence the #UsLiveWell initiative on Twitter!
Can Twitter help make us Fit?
The Social Media Addiction
Yes if you get addicted to Twitter you sit unmoving for hours responding passionately to people you never met. Still better than Zynga’s Farmville or Mafia Wars addiction! (or is it?) There are many documented studies about Social Media Addiction
- Social Times: 5 Ways to Fight Social Media Addiction.
- Pamorama: 48% of us check in bed.
- 6ABC.com: Battling Facebook Addition
So Social Media is bad, right? No! Social media is like any other tool or technology! The incredible power can be used for good or evil.
The Power of Social Media
I was pondering the Power of Social Media as I sat dark and lonely in Twitter Jail. Yes, Twitter has a Jail. Apparently if you Tweet too fast or too often within a certain period of time Twitter temporarily cuts you off. So, dark, lonely, fingers starting to twitch I DM’d (Direct Messaged) Dane Findley or @Danenow. Dane, found here, is a self proclaimed health nut who owns two Juicers. New years day and I’m sitting in front of the computer NOT WORKING OUT. I decided it was time to harness the power of Social Media for good.
Twitter is great for accountability. Many corporations and people have found out the hard way that exposure on Twitter can be very powerful. In my case we have a little community called #UsGuys where people have formed relationships and check-in with each other all of the time. Could the idea of a “workout” buddy be used on Twitter? Hmm, public humiliation and tons of people razzing you about not meeting your goals? Sound pretty powerful to me!
The #UsGuys Fitness Program concieved by @Josepf and lead by @Danenow
So the power of accountability that Social Media (and Twitter in particular) can bring. Combined with an Accountability Partner/ Group? I asked Dane if he would do a science experiment with me. He, of course, instantly got it and said he’d be an accountability partner. I thought about it some more whilst rotting away in Twitter jail and Tweeted it once I got out. Other people likes the idea and we free-formed the #UsGuys 2011 Fitness Program coordianted by Dane Findley. (another awesome job! I came up with a killer idea and someone else is going to work it! — just kidding its win/win all the way around)
So how does this work? We have no idea! We’re just forming it up! The basic gist is that the individuals will blog post their own stuff. They can keep it as private of public as they’d like. Dane is willing to be an accountability partner and have people check in with him.
For my part I’ll go more public. The thought of being ridiculed by our own Old Spice Man @taariqlewis is pretty strong incentive to stick with it. I will create a separate log or blog section and post progress. Dane will stop by to encourage me. Milestones will go into his blog as well.
Leave you ideas HERE in the comments! In the next day or two Dane (with a little help from me & whomever) will form it up some more! 2011 here we come….
Tweet
Booh-yah! I am stoked! It is true that, when you have your health, you have everything. Health is the foundation from which you can build relationships, career,.. and joy! Here’s to a kick@*s 2011!
So, you went to Twitter jail and whilst there, you got an awesome idea of something to do…on Twitter? And then you tweeted about it with all your tweeps and now you want to do a Twitter Fitness Program? Have I understood this correctly??
Does it have to be about fitness…or are we talking about general accountability here? I’m not sure what to think. What about weights on the backs of our hands whilst we type? We’ll have arms like Ah-nold in no time!
Sincerely,
Your #usguys gal with your favorite name
This site has a free level with the ability to invite friends and compete
http://dailyburn.com/
Awesome concept. I have shed almost 30 lbs in the last 6 months and have found losing the last 10.. (ok 15) to hit mygoal the hardest. I seem to have hit the proverbial brick wall. And here comes this crazy idea I believe will get viral and spread like wildfire. After all, who in their right minds want to not succeed in front of gazillions of tweeps?
Some thoughts –
- usguys official rules
- usguys weigh in
- usguys certificates of achievements
- usguys promotional awards
…more to come after I get something to eat—-
- usguys certificates and awards
Social motivation factor is an interesting idea. But to get that motivation to happen organically we need a few things:
1) Functionality – something to go beyond check-ins on the hashtag, but that you can easily update after completing a workout
2) Adaptability – there are many different forms of exercise and fitness levels, so we need something that accounts for running, yoga, weightlifting, whatever
3) Accountability – weigh-ins are a form of this, but as @danenow knows weight isn’t everything. Maybe like a 5 point check-in: 1 accomplishment, 1 lazy moment, 1 new goal, 1 observation, etc.
4) FUN! Obviously competitive nature is a part of that, but there has to be an element that makes posting to the hashtag (or app) that is MORE fun than just going to the gym and not talking about it. In fact, I feel like most of my friends hate when I talk about going to the gym, so maybe just having a positive community will lend to that.
@Lewis – like the idea of certificates – maybe virtual badges? Promotional awards might get cutthroat
And congrats on the weight loss! The last 10 IS hard, but accomplishable!
nice – check ins and updates tied in somehow…
Great idea, Josepf – so as I said in my tweet, the #usguys fitness and lifestyle improvement tweets could be hashtagged #uslivewell … or just #livewell
I think this concept is sort of an #unhealthclub, because you get all the motivation without all the gym fees.
RAD. #thatisall
And here is my “official” response to Can Twitter Make You Fit, called “Social Media Fitness” —> http://www.instantdane.tv/2011/01/01/social-media-fitness-can-you-work-at-a-computer-all-day-and-still-be-healthy/
Yes, as per Jillian’s suggestion, I’m using #UsLiveWell as a hashtag in all tweets related to the Social Media Health Challenge!
Meanwhile, I woke up at 3am today (it’s always challenging to try to reset my body clock — things might be wonky for a few days while I adjust to my new 8:30pm bedtime) so I’m not sure if exercise will be on the day’s agenda. I’ll just have to see how it goes.
{ twitter handle: danenow }
Love the idea of #UsLiveWell – can’t help but wonder if Twitter is the best platform (or if it should be the ONLY platform) for it. Have you ever tried sparkpeople.com? You could form a SparkTeam there for #UsLiveWell… and chat on Twitter. Just a thought. (And it’s all FREE, too – there’s a plus!)
Holly, hi! Thanks for the tip about SparkPeople. I’m creating an account now just to try it out (I listed you as the referring member)!
I like that they give you a choice between “weight loss goal” or “improve overall health” goal. Nice!
{ danenow on twitter }
Yes – actually, you should read up on SparkGuy. He originally set out just to help himself and others reach their goals in general. It’s an amazing site, amazing story. I have known members on there whose goal was to GAIN weight, and the whole community was supportive of that, too. It’s one of the most “healthy” sites dealing with weight issues I’ve ever run across. And it works – if you stick with it. I think the nutrition record is absolutely KEY to success, though. Record every bite honestly, and you will reach your goals fast. Slack off on that, and…well…eventually, you’ll be back.
Like me. But I also used it to record other goals – like quitting smoking – and that’s stuck (over 4 years now).
Congratulations on quitting smoking, Holly! What a huge accomplishment!
Hey, Josepf, how is your self-care today? Wanna check in with your accountability partner? I posted my workout and intake on my #UsLiveWell blog post:
http://www.instantdane.tv/2011/01/01/social-media-fitness-can-you-work-at-a-computer-all-day-and-still-be-healthy/