Sunday, 25 January 2009

Well done 'Team Lose weight' - you're finally comotivating

Not for being the team with the most buddies, but for getting going at last. I think a few determined people have joined recently and got chatting so the TAB score has begun to shift. If the team owner logs in and benches a few inactive buddies, your TAB score will sky-rocket!

Good luck with your weight loss journey.

Posted by comotivate at 10:01 PM in Lose Weight Goal
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Video tutorials

I'm considering filming a series of vide tutorials to help users feel more confident navigating the site. Please add to the list below:

1) What makes comotivate special - a sort of 'why bother' overview

2) How to buddy-up and what to look for

3) Team owners - how they come to be and what they do

4) How to send messages and blog your progress

5) How to leave a team

6) How to select progress tools

Posted by comotivate at 9:44 PM in Announcing site updates
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Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Incentives

I've been wondering what I can do to increase the level of commitment to the site and to the team you join. The best incentive is always based on your actual goal and the state of motivation naturally derived from working with someone just like you. However, I'd love to hear ideas on what other things I could use to sweeten the comotivate experience. There are some social networks that have begun to basically bribe people to be active. I have no funding and no desire to artificially increase traffic to the site. I'd like everyone on comotivate to be present because they are personally involved in their goal and their buddy's goal. So what can I investigate to compliment this position and provide an appropriate incentive to people? I will try and look at a music download partner. If anyone has any recommendations, please comment.
Posted by comotivate at 2:34 AM in Technical faults and issues raised and discussed
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Friday, 9 January 2009

Over 15 million Binging Brits lack the motivation to see through their New Year’s resolutions

Our researchers in the UK have this week released the results of a national survey. The results confirm what we've long suspected in that by this time last year, 15 million* Brits had given up on their new year's resolutions. The main reasons given by lack-lustre Brits were lack of motivation and support, and loss of interest.  Just 3% of Binging Brits made and kept their New Year’s resolutions in 2008. ‘Couldn’t stay motivated’ was cited as a key reason for giving up on them by 54% of goal-setters.

Motivation increases with age

Youthful 18-24 year olds are the least motivated (35% cite ‘lack of motivation’ as a key factor in giving up their resolutions) compared to just 18% of 55-64 year olds and 12% of the over 65’s.   

Achieve goals together

Of those 15million UK adults who made New Year’s resolutions last January, half (50%) said they would be more likely to achieve their goals and resolutions if they had access to support and advice from like-minded people.  In my view, this research highlights how important it is to sustain your motivation when you’re trying to challenge yourself. Most people know they need direction and encouragement but often it’s not there, or from a source they don’t relate to. The internet is a perfect way of bringing similar people together to make motivation easier and sharing progress more fun.     

The worst region for giving up all too easily is Yorkshire and Humberside, where the research exposed a 100% drop out rate!  Those in the North East faired best, but that was still only 8% who kept their resolutions.


*Based on  42% of the UK adult population of 48,780,000 – www.statistics.gov.uk who made New Year’s resolutions in January 2008  of which 87% admitted to making and breaking them, and an independent survey undertaken by ICM Research by Dynamic Markets on behalf of comotivate, undertaken in December 2008.
Posted by comotivate at 12:01 PM in Early reaction
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Thursday, 8 January 2009

Cancer busters

An easy to digest list of healthy foods compiled by Sarah Reid:
Cancer is Australia’s biggest killer, taking 39,000 lives every year. Shockingly, Cancer Council Australia estimates that one in three of these deaths are preventable, with poor diet being just one known cancer contributor we can control. Here, 15 foods thought to minimise your cancer risk.
Tomatoes
Antioxidants contained in tomatoes including vitamin C and lycopene help protect the body from cell and tissue damage caused by free radicals. Cooking tomatoes in foods such as spaghetti sauce can actually boost their ability to fight some cancers.
Carrots
According to the Australian Journal of Nutrition & Dietetics, consuming carotenoids (an antioxidant that gives carrots their orangey hue) can help reduce the ultraviolet rays absorbed by the skin, staving off skin cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are known as cruciferous vegetables, which are rich in cancer-fighting phytochemicals, such as sulforaphane.
Avocados
In 2007, researchers from Sydney’s Garvan Institute discovered that persin, a compound found in the leaves and fruit of the avocado tree, can kill breast cancer cells. This stone fruit is also one of the richest sources of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant shown to block thirty different cancer-causing carcinogens.
Olive oil
This monounsaturated ‘healthy’ fat is high in phytochemical antioxidants and vitamin E. In 2005, researchers from the US’s Northwestern University found that oleic acid, a fatty acid found in olive oil, may decrease your breast cancer risk.
Garlic
This member of the onion family is a therapeutic powerhouse known to boost immunity, lower cholesterol and offer protection against cancer development and progression.
Oranges
Rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, oranges are thought to be able to improve the blood lipid (fats) profile, reduce oxidative stress, and improve blood levels of HDL cholesterol. You can reap the benefits from orange juice, too. Like lemons, oranges also contain Iimonene, which stimulates cancer-killing immune cells.
Leafy green vegetables
Antioxidant-rich spinach and other leafy greens help to strengthen cells. They’re also rich in carotenoids and folic acid, which are known to combat some cancers.
Berries and grapes
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, and red and purple grapes contain high amounts of ellagic acid, a plant nutrient with protective effects against oesophageal and colon cancer in animals. Berries are also rich in powerful antioxidant flavonoids.
Tea
Many studies have linked tea intake with a reduced risk of cancer. Cancer Council NSW supports people drinking green, black or oolong tea, which contain antioxidant polyphenols called catechins are known to halt tumour cells and protect healthy cells from damage.
High fibre foods
Foods high in fibre such as grains, apples, and whole wheat are thought help protect against cancer of the colon.
Mushrooms
Shiitake, maitake, reishi, Agaricus blazei Murill, and Coriolus Versicolor mushrooms all contain powerful immunity-building compounds, and a protein called lectin, which prevents cancerous cells from multiplying. Extracts from mushrooms have been successfully tested in Japan as an adjunct to chemotherapy.
Beans, nuts and cereals
Scientists at University College London say a compound contained in beans, nuts and cereals can inhibit the growth of tumors. The compound, called inositol pentakisphosphate, is also found in lentils and peas.
Chilies and jalapenos
In 2006, researchers from the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that capsaicin, a chemical that turns up the heat in chillies, drives prostate cancer cells to kill themselves.
Red wine
While excessive consumption is detrimental to your health, a glass a day can actually help stave off cancer, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina's medical school in Chapel Hill, who say that the compound resveratrol, found in grape skins, inhibits cell proliferation. A 2008 study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention also found that an antioxidant component in red wine may be protect against lung cancer, particularly among smokers.
Rosemary
In 2008, a science professor at Kansas State University advised that applying rosemary seasoning to hamburgers can break up the potentially cancer-causing compounds formed when the meat is cooked. Rosemary contains phenolic compounds including rosmarinic acid, carnosol and carnosic acid block the carcinogenic compounds before they can form during heating.
Seaweed
In 2006, New Scientist reported that a seaweed extract called carrageenan strongly inhibits human papillomavirus – known to cause cervical cancer – from entering human cells. Seaweed also contains, protein, vitamin B12, fiber, and chlorophyll, as well as chlorophylones – important fatty acids that may help in the fight against breast cancer. Many sea vegetables also have high concentrations of the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine.
Sweet potato
Packed with antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron, the humble sweet potato is actually the most nutritious of all vegetables, according to the Centre for Science in the Public Interest in the US. As well can helping to fight cancer, antioxidants are essential for good brain functioning and in delaying the effects of aging on the brain.
Soy products
Scientists believe that several active ingredients in soy products such as tofu (such as isoflavones, saponins, phenolic acids, phytic acid, phytosterols) may have anti-cancer effects. However, over-indulging is thought to cause hormone imbalances that can stimulate cancer growth, so eat in moderation.
Flaxseed
Flax is the richest plant source of one kind of omega-3 fatty acid, alphalinolenic acid. In several studies, this fat has shown promising health benefits, including offering protection from heart disease and some cancers.
Posted by comotivate at 1:03 AM in Regain Health Goal
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Wednesday, 7 January 2009

Fat acceptance - no issue

I recently received anonymous feedback that I wanted to share with you and ask your advice. Since their email address was left blank, I am unable to respond to them which is unfortunate. Maybe they assumed I would be angry and send a rude message. Here's what they wrote:

Visitor name: Happy Fat Girl, MA

Summary: FAT IS BEAUTIFUL

Comment:  I am a sociologist researching the stigma of obesity and a healthy beautiful fat woman. I resent you diet ad on my myspace, which encourages size acceptance. Just wanted to waste a click because that is how they charge!!! "Fat can be beautiful. Intolerance is ALWAYS ugly."

It is strange since I am not advertising on myspace so that would have been one thing I would have liked to follow up on, and of course, I'm not responsible for a publisher's poor ad placement technology which in this case has been proven difficient. But regardless of any of that, I was hoping to get a view from anyone who advocates fat acceptance whether this site is insulting or whether you believe this person had become upset only by the inappropriate ad placement. I ask because I care. comotivate is designed to help people not upset them so if there is something I can do to stay true to my vision, then I'll do it.

For the record, I have no issue with fat and applaud fat acceptance advocates for making their voice heard when society makes that difficult.  

Posted by comotivate at 3:12 AM in tell us all the bad things
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Monday, 5 January 2009

no safety in numbers

I've noticed a trend for users to join existing comotivate teams and want to get buddied up immediately. Whilst I can understand this urge, I don't think it's always a good strategy. A lot of the teams with big numbers are open teams and are not proving to be as successful as the smaller teams.

Look at the team's TAB score before you join them. The higher the TAB score the more engaged the team is with their goal activity. Don't self-saboutage your goal by 'hiding' in a big team and then blaming everyone else for not getting started properly.

This site is about empowerment - an attempt to provide more opportunities and tools to help achieve what's important to you personally. Seize the opportunity, don't give away your power. Join a team that has people in it that are as much like you as possible. Beware of large teams with low TABs.

 

Posted by comotivate at 7:13 AM in Technical faults and issues raised and discussed
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Sunday, 4 January 2009

New site features

With the new release comes several new features to enhance user engagement:

- High5's: awarded by your team buddies to become your badge of honour. The more you collect, the more you'll be reveared as an achiever. You get 5 a week to give away and can only give 2 to the same buddy each week.

- TAB: a measure of how active a team is, the higher the score, the more active they are.

- video clips to help inspire and motivate

- a demonstration / tour video to help new users understand the site

More to follow... 

 

Posted by comotivate at 10:36 AM in Announcing site updates
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What's the value of a strapline?

Just do it; The real thing; The world's favourite airline - powerful branding levers.

Are new world brands as adept at creating straplines as old world brands? Google, facebook, digg, twitter - they don't have one....and they'd be quick to say they don't need one...but youtube does: "broadcast yourself" and they could probably do without it, so what gives?

Does a strapline help support an online brand?

I've staked my claim with comotivate - get it together. We'll see what value that adds. "together" is one of my keywords so it makes more meta-sense than "Welcome to comotivate" which is what I had.

Since there are only about 100,000 people in the world that even know about comotivate at the moment, I don't suppose I'm risking much. But I'm ambitious about creating a brand so I'm being deliberately stella in the comparisons I'm drawing.

If anyone has any views on the value of straplines to online brands or a view on "get it together" then please @comotivate me.  

 

 

Posted by comotivate at 10:32 AM in tell us all the good things
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Saturday, 3 January 2009

5 motivation tips - get fit


Specifically for runners, here's a list of five tips to help you focus on success in 2009.

1. Focus on attainable goals, if you are a 45min. 10k runner and looking to run 35 minutes, then your "short-term" goal should be to lower your time to 42, then 38, then 35 minutes. Being unrealistic with your goals will only lead to frustration and burnout. Use the checklist tool to help you set intermediate goals.


2. Commit to a goal event that is 3 to 4 months away. After the race take a much needed 3-week break to recharge the mind and body, then find another goal event.


3. To keep the focus and motivation for the 3 to 4 months leading up to the "big race", run a couple of "smaller" races. These races will help test your training and should act as stepping stones to your goal event.


4. If you are unsure of what training you should be doing, then seek out guidance by an established coach in order to maintain faith in your training, help prevent injuries and hold you accountable to your schedule.


5. Meeting up with friends or a running group will get you motivated to get out the door (sometimes this can be the hardest part of training). A setting time and day can help to plan your day and make sure it happens.

Posted by comotivate at 1:04 AM in Get Fit Goal
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Thursday, 1 January 2009

New look site goes live on the biggest day of the year

2009 has started in style with comotivate taking on a new look and feel. This has been designed to

- make sign up easier and quicker

- provide a better user experience

- make the site look like a better place to spend time

- enhance first time user understanding of the site and it's functionality

You will notice a 'tour' video and the idea will be to add to this collection of tutorials over time.

Thanks to all the users who have given feedback to help make the site better (especially Erin).

Best wishes for 2009 to everyone.

Posted by comotivate at 4:57 AM in tell us all the good things
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