Why Take the National Body Challenge?

November 24, 2008

Why? Why should you enter another online weight-loss challenge? I bet that’s what you’re asking yourself and it’s a reasonable question. To answer whether you should participate in the National Body Challenge, I have some questions for you. Do you want to get help in breaking bad habits? Do you want the tools necessary to adopt healthy living? If either of those answers is yes, then our National Body Challenge is for you!

I do want to clarify an important point: National Body Challenge is not about losing weight; rather, it’s about learning to live healthy. Many of you will participate this year in order to lose weight, but others will enter to maintain a healthy weight, and still others will want to tone up. Personally, I’m entering because I need to learn more about the right things to eat. That’s right – I need to learn more about nutrition and exercise. Even though I’m a doctor, we really don’t learn about nutrition or physical activity in medical school. So I’m eager, just like you, to hear from experts about simple ways to break bad habits and learn good ones.

Did you know that exercise has been shown to help prevent heart disease, stroke, heart disease, and even cancer?

There’s no pill that can do all that. And best of all – it’s never too late to get the benefits of exercise. You’re never too young or too old to reap the benefits from being active. If you already have some medical problems, exercise can help reduce some of the problems and prevent further deterioration. Along with exercise, proper nutrition can help maximize health benefits even more. Of course, you have to learn the right information.

All too often, there’s confusing messages out there, and I’ve seen people in the past with the best intention fail to achieve success because they had bad information. Still others were persuaded by slick infomercials pushing some magic pill or gadget. Guess what? There’s no simple solution to getting healthy. It takes work! Throughout the next eight weeks, we’ve assembled a group of leaders in nutrition and exercise to tell you what you need to do to get healthy and how to maintain health throughout your life.

I’ll be one of your guides, with weekly blogs, daily tips, and even some video messages. I’ll keep you posted on my progress and I want to hear about yours. Be part of our communities. There’s good scientific data that shows when people have a source of encouragement and work with others striving for the same goals, they are often more successful. There’s going to be ups and downs, good days and bad days. That’s ok…because even though the challenge is for eight weeks, we’re in it for the long haul.

Let’s get started!

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Related Links:

Check out the National Body Challenge Holiday Health Guide

Comments

[Katelyn]

I'm not writing this to make myself sound like a victim of obesity or to put the blame on anything or anyone else, I'm just trying to accept my weaknesses and improve them. I am a 19 year old full time college student who works at a fast food resturant for some extra cash. I've been overweight almost my whole life except for last year when i lost 40+ pounds, this year i've gained it all back even though i told myself i would never be fat again. I'm 5'4 and 180 pounds. I want to learn how have a healthy life style not just lose some weight and gain it back again later on. I need help before my weight affects my health.

[Connie Rollins]

I will be 43 this year. I have a right labrum tear in my right hip, and scoliosis of the lower lumbar with degenerative disk (Arthritis). I am 45lbs over weight for a 5'8" frame. My LDL (bad cholestorol) is 121, BMI is 29 which is considered overweight.
I will have sugery for my hip this month of August and plan to start right now to lose weight and exercise. I want to change everything. The way I eat, what I put into my mouth, how much,and my mental attitude, and add exercise. I just want to move...of course, without pain. I'm struggling as to where I should start. Get the surgery, then rehab, then start my new healthy way of living? Hmm! where do I start? when do I start?

[AMY]

I AM A 33YR OLD MOTHER I AM PRACTICALLY SINGLE. I AM 5'2" AND WEIGH 250+ LBS. I AM UNCOMFORTABLE IN MY OWN SKIN. AT AGE 9YEARS, I FELL 17FT TO AN UBRUPT CONCRETE LANDING THAT PUMMLED MY WHOLE BODY AND BEING A PASSENGER IN 2 SEVERE ACCIDENTS ALSO HAMMERED MY LARGE FRAME BODY.I HAVE ARTHRITIS IN ALMOST ALL MY BODY AND HAVE HAD RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY OF BOTH KNEES WHICH MAKES MY WALKING VERY NOTICABLE AND PAINFUL.I REALLY NEED SOME ONE TO HELP ME WITH AND EXERCISE/DIET PLAN SPECIALLY FOR ME THAT WILL HELP ME LIVE MY LIFE WITH LESS PAIN AND HUMILIATION.

[Kaye]

hello out there. i have thought about getting on this website for a long time and have finally made it. i really need to loose 40# and need and want your support to help me get there...i don't necessarily just eat sweets, i am one of those who takes more than i should. I even know that i shouldn't but............HELP!!!!

[Mackenzie]

Just eat like Michael Pollan says:
Eat food.
Not too much.
Mostly plants.

And when he says "food" he means real food. Hint: real food doesn't come with a seasoning packet and usually doesn't have instructions printed on the packaging. Real food rarely has packaging to begin with (though yeah, sometimes beans and rice come already in a bag instead of you scooping them into a bag yourself).

Even better, do that as a vegan and walk for every errand that's within 3 miles. I went from a size 9 with a little round the middle to an hourglass size 2.

Currently snacking on carrots with hummus. Yummy!

[lea]

I am trying to register for the weight challange but when they are sopossed to send a confirmation to your e-mail I am not getting it I have tried two different e-mails with no success I have turned off all spam settings thank you, Lea
leasmith-shrentals@hotmail.com or creamslilmama07@yahoo.com

[Lorie]

I need to lose at least 50lbs and feel its impossible I have fatty liver diease and I know that I have to learn to eat healthy. With a husband that doesn't need to lose but gain weight it is difficult

[tony]

i need help i'am in the middleast working and the store are so hard to shop for but i did found some foods i like but egg and meat is all i eat every day and my mind is not right i;am beaing my self up over food.

[health]

well i think it is better for getting in it but can indian also participate in it.

[Virginia M. Zajesky]

I've been trying to register for this site but I keep getting told my email address and password don't match. Then they tell me they'll email me my password. I've been waiting 2 days--what a crock!

[Ally]

i think what is sad is that most of us were sitting on our butts when we learned of this program...i know i was holding down my couch and saw it when i was watching discovery health...im so embarrassed!

[melissa]

hello.

last year, almost a year to the date now i was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma... i've been through chemo and so many things, im a survivor...

i see no reason why i cant beat being over wieght, ive done cancer... its time to work on me now. i just need help. i dont know how to start this.

[Jackie]

I am a mother of 5 and a full time student how do you keep from eating what is available at the time...whether it be fast food or something out of a vending machine?

[Maria Wilson]

I work a really screwy schedule I need help planning time to exercise

[Sean]

I was tired of being fat, unhealthy and out of shape. In high school and college I was an athlete, I was in great shape and I was healthy & confident. Once I got married and my wife I had two kids it seemed as if I didn't have much time to stay in shape or live a healthy lifestyle. I started going to a local gym to see if I could maybe motivate myself into getting back in shape. Five years later after joining the gym I
looked the same and had no gains in strength.

Late last year, I decided it was time to make some major changes. I decided that I was not going to continue to live my life feeling miserable and disgusted with myself. Plus, I wanted to be a positive influence to my daughters and set an example as they grow.

This is when I found a website called BrianKellyFitness.com. The site truely worked for me. It was nice to find a site that had interaction with a trainer that is trying to share knowledge to help individuals lead a healthier lifestyle.

[Jenna Pilon]

I had 2 small Children back to back,
13 and half months apart and need to lose about 30 pounds and mostly
I just want my self confidence and mental and phyiscally fit attitude back.
To feel and look better.
Please help Jenna
Had a baby boy named Bryson born
Jan 1, 2007 and a baby daughter Emilia born march 4, 2008.
Please help me would greatly appreciate it,
Thanks
Jenna

[Mickey]

I have had weight problems all my life with the exception of the time I worked as a dietitian. I got hurt and could not get around for a long time and therefore started my downfall into a series of pounds coming on. Then I quit smoking in May of last year and here I sit with around 100 pounds gained since then. I need help. I am diabetic also and have trouble walking. What can you do for me?

[marie]

Please tell me along with every other woman out there, is there any real way to get rid of the lower abd pooch especially for someone over 50 and after three abd surgeries?

[marie]

Please tell me along with every other woman out there, is there any real way to get rid of the lower abd pooch especially for someone over 50 and after three abd surgeries?

[Angela]

I have tried several diets over the years and have succeded once but then getting injured had put me out of exercise for almost a year. Then of course all the weight has come back. I still have some trouble exercising due to my Knee, Heart condition, and Asthma!I always have trouble with diets due to them revolving around fish and seafood, I am allergic to them so it is very difficult to make food choices. I am ready to start this challenge and grow as a person. There are no Balley Gyms were I live so I do not have that luxury, and I can not afford the few gyms that we do have. So I will be doing exercises at home with friends that are taking the challenge with me. We have decided to Walk, ride bikes, and do tie bo and body ball by alternating days. All support and suggestions are welcome.

[Tracyann]

Woops ... my email is ragingmousetx@yahoo.com (Subject line Challenge 09 please)

CLAUDIA: I used to do the same thing, comfort and stress eat. When I get stressed out or am in need of comfort, I limit food to one thing a day. Maybe you could do the challenge as a family (what a wonderful thing to share, and be able to communicate, spend rare precious time, and work out too )

[Sheri]

I am 25 and joining the national body challege for the first time. I have to admit I skeptical about joining an online fitness program. I didn't really think it would be able to help. But after reading everyone's comments about their success, I am hopeful I will be able to succeed as well. I am (according to my BMI) just over the obesity line. I want to take control of my weight and get in shape before it gets to far away from me that I start developing health problems. Right now I am (as far as I know) healthy except for my weight. I wish everyone luck on this sure to be challenging and rewarding road. ^__^

[Tracy Ann]

I have RSD, lower limb, and basically can barely walk unassisted. I am planning on completing this challenge and then some but could sure use some backup of sorts .. I am sooooo willing to chat with or even trade emails with anyone who could show a little support or even guidance. My very best wishes to ALL OF YOU, not just for this challenge but for the everyday challenges! You can climb that obstacle!

[Claudia]

I had a gastro bypass in 2005 and since then I've gained about 30lbs and now I'm really scared. I've always depended on food when I'm under stress and I didn't unlearn that before getting the surgery done. I haven't gained more because I can't consume as much as I used to but all my bad eating habits are still there. I need serious help. Because of my horrible eating habits two of my children are obese as well. I don't even know how to begin to change.

[Zita]

I am going to attempt to get back in shape. I am 52 and 5'5 and I am about 35 to 40 lbs over weight. I just had my gall baller removed 4weeks ago. I feel that I have to wait about another month before I attempt a work out regement. I also have a herniated disk in my neck. I want to know how to work on my core abs w/o stomach cruches. They are very painful to my neck. I would be very greatful to get advice from one of your Experts.