A new you for the new year with Team MetaFilter December 28, 2011 6:20 PM Subscribe
Do you want to be a fitter MeFite in 2012? Join (or re-join) the MetaFilter team on Health Month for January and harness the awesome power of social support in meeting your goals.
Health Month is a site where you can devise and track health-related goals in a social networking setting. Each month you can pick a set of "rules" to follow. Log your progress each day, post about your successes and struggles, and call on the community for an extra boost if you've fallen short of your goals. A "free" game allows you to pick up to 3 rules, while for a $5/mo fee (or a "sponsorship chip" from a teammate, of which our team has many!) you can have unlimited rules.
There are plenty of typical predefined health-related rules to chose from, from rules that encourage healthy eating and exercise to rules that encourage mental health and healthy relationships. Beyond that, you can set up to 5 "custom" rules for any sort of habit or goal that you might want to work on.
I especially wanted to post this rallying cry because I feel like Health Month in general, and my super-supportive, always-encouraging teammates on Team MetaFilter have made an enormous difference in my life over the 10 months that I've been participating. In that time I have lost 45 lbs and I have gone from being a non-exerciser to being able to survive a 7-mile run. I've reduced my non-productive Internet browsing by about 1.5 hours a day and increased the amount of time spend on my freelance work by about an hour a day. I've also been following a custom rule to be more diligent about my invoicing and billing tasks, and between the improved productivity and improved collection rate, I've seen about a 20% increase in my income that is directly attributable to Health Month. I've learned to meditate despite my ADHD, I'm spending more quality time with my pets, and I've even developed the habit of shaving my legs more often than once a quarter. I've gotten a lot of our teammates hooked on the custom "dreaded task" rule and have used the encouragement and reinforcement from health month to make doctor's and dentist appointments, pay my taxes on time, make unpleasant phone calls, and clean out my freezer, among many other one-time challenges. And all in all, I feel free of the specter of depression for the first time in at least 5 years.
I'm not saying you will accomplish all this. But I've seen fellow team members also drop pounds, improve their diets, complete road races, quit smoking, fight back against depression, and make progress on all kinds of health and personal goals. The support of teammates is an important part of these successes, and so I'd really like to encourage anyone who's making New Year's resolutions for 2012 to join the team so we can cheer you on and you can indirectly help yourself by cheering on others.
Being awesome is our team goal. You can be a part of that awesomeness!
Health Month is a site where you can devise and track health-related goals in a social networking setting. Each month you can pick a set of "rules" to follow. Log your progress each day, post about your successes and struggles, and call on the community for an extra boost if you've fallen short of your goals. A "free" game allows you to pick up to 3 rules, while for a $5/mo fee (or a "sponsorship chip" from a teammate, of which our team has many!) you can have unlimited rules.
There are plenty of typical predefined health-related rules to chose from, from rules that encourage healthy eating and exercise to rules that encourage mental health and healthy relationships. Beyond that, you can set up to 5 "custom" rules for any sort of habit or goal that you might want to work on.
I especially wanted to post this rallying cry because I feel like Health Month in general, and my super-supportive, always-encouraging teammates on Team MetaFilter have made an enormous difference in my life over the 10 months that I've been participating. In that time I have lost 45 lbs and I have gone from being a non-exerciser to being able to survive a 7-mile run. I've reduced my non-productive Internet browsing by about 1.5 hours a day and increased the amount of time spend on my freelance work by about an hour a day. I've also been following a custom rule to be more diligent about my invoicing and billing tasks, and between the improved productivity and improved collection rate, I've seen about a 20% increase in my income that is directly attributable to Health Month. I've learned to meditate despite my ADHD, I'm spending more quality time with my pets, and I've even developed the habit of shaving my legs more often than once a quarter. I've gotten a lot of our teammates hooked on the custom "dreaded task" rule and have used the encouragement and reinforcement from health month to make doctor's and dentist appointments, pay my taxes on time, make unpleasant phone calls, and clean out my freezer, among many other one-time challenges. And all in all, I feel free of the specter of depression for the first time in at least 5 years.
I'm not saying you will accomplish all this. But I've seen fellow team members also drop pounds, improve their diets, complete road races, quit smoking, fight back against depression, and make progress on all kinds of health and personal goals. The support of teammates is an important part of these successes, and so I'd really like to encourage anyone who's making New Year's resolutions for 2012 to join the team so we can cheer you on and you can indirectly help yourself by cheering on others.
Being awesome is our team goal. You can be a part of that awesomeness!
I'm in. I just signed up but I'm not yet sure what to do, or even what my goals are. Eat better and exercise, at the very least. How do I join the MeFi team?
Also, if someone wants to send me a sponsorship, that'd be swell.
posted by bondcliff at 7:14 PM on December 28, 2011
Also, if someone wants to send me a sponsorship, that'd be swell.
posted by bondcliff at 7:14 PM on December 28, 2011
I've fallen off the wagon so many times on Health Month and the team always picks me up. I know my holiday lapse in exercising won't be permanent because of team support.
andoatnp - what things do you want to change about your mental and physical health? Eat more fruit/veggies? Cut down on desserts/fried food/soda? Meditate/practice an instrument/go on a friend date once a week? These are all things I've seen people do, plus the Dreaded Task rule, which I'm totally adding for next month.
bondcliff - ask to join the team here.
posted by immlass at 7:16 PM on December 28, 2011
andoatnp - what things do you want to change about your mental and physical health? Eat more fruit/veggies? Cut down on desserts/fried food/soda? Meditate/practice an instrument/go on a friend date once a week? These are all things I've seen people do, plus the Dreaded Task rule, which I'm totally adding for next month.
bondcliff - ask to join the team here.
posted by immlass at 7:16 PM on December 28, 2011
Yeah, the issue is not that I can't think of anything, it's that I have like a million things to work on, and I'm not sure how to narrow it down to just one or two.
posted by andoatnp at 7:19 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by andoatnp at 7:19 PM on December 28, 2011
Pick a bunch that are important and be prepared to fail a bit, is my honest advice. One of the valuable things I've learned from Health Month is that I can only work on so many things at a time and trying to do a bunch of things really shows me what my priorities are. I do the most important ones and the less important ones fall by the wayside.
I find 6 to 10 is a good number of rules for me, with a mix between easy (floss) and hard (increase exercise).
posted by immlass at 7:22 PM on December 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I find 6 to 10 is a good number of rules for me, with a mix between easy (floss) and hard (increase exercise).
posted by immlass at 7:22 PM on December 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
OK, I'm signed up. Nevermind about the sponsorship. I can afford the $5.00, so save it for someone who can use it more.
posted by bondcliff at 7:27 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by bondcliff at 7:27 PM on December 28, 2011
For a moment I read that as Do you want to be a bitter mefite in 2012?
posted by joost de vries at 7:44 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by joost de vries at 7:44 PM on December 28, 2011
I've finally been given permission to exercise again. Will sign up and start again in January!
posted by zarq at 8:00 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by zarq at 8:00 PM on December 28, 2011
I've finally been given permission to exercise again.
I'm glad the parole board finally heard your case!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:16 PM on December 28, 2011
I'm glad the parole board finally heard your case!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:16 PM on December 28, 2011
You posted this during my Daily Ccookie Hour.
posted by hermitosis at 8:34 PM on December 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by hermitosis at 8:34 PM on December 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm glad the parole board finally heard your case!
I had a skull fracture, contusion and concussion mid-August. Healing / recovery has been very slow.
posted by zarq at 8:49 PM on December 28, 2011
I had a skull fracture, contusion and concussion mid-August. Healing / recovery has been very slow.
posted by zarq at 8:49 PM on December 28, 2011
Yay Health Month! Yay MeFites!
posted by xiaolongbao at 8:51 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by xiaolongbao at 8:51 PM on December 28, 2011
I'm winding up a crazy Hourly Cookie Day, fourth day running, so I suppose a bit of team support to get back in the gym a bit and floss occasionally and maybe change the diet up a bit might be in order.
posted by carsonb at 8:53 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by carsonb at 8:53 PM on December 28, 2011
I had a skull fracture, contusion and concussion mid-August. Healing / recovery has been very slow.
Well maybe you shouldn't have started that fight in the cafeteria with Big Ed. When he says 20 packs, he really does mean 20 packs. Trust me on that one.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:53 PM on December 28, 2011
Well maybe you shouldn't have started that fight in the cafeteria with Big Ed. When he says 20 packs, he really does mean 20 packs. Trust me on that one.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:53 PM on December 28, 2011
Just requested to join for January. Ready for people to laugh at me.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:19 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 9:19 PM on December 28, 2011
I just signed up. My rules for now are mostly about having a regular sleep schedule and not starting to read websites before getting out of bed in the morning. I love my iPad, but it's given me some bad habits.
posted by Fully Completely at 10:11 PM on December 28, 2011
posted by Fully Completely at 10:11 PM on December 28, 2011
zarq: Sorry to hear about the injury. Happy to hear that you're recovering.
posted by bardophile at 12:01 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by bardophile at 12:01 AM on December 29, 2011
I came straight over from the Fat Trap thread. Goddamn it, I'm all in for this.
posted by EatTheWeek at 2:08 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by EatTheWeek at 2:08 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
Haha that's what spurred me on! I've requested to join for January, I've deliberately set easier goals than I planned as I remember endlessly breaking new year's resolutions in January.
posted by ellieBOA at 2:18 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by ellieBOA at 2:18 AM on December 29, 2011
Okay, I'm all signed up - if there's a sponsorship chip available, that would really be wonderful - I'd like to add more rules to my basic ones.
posted by EatTheWeek at 2:32 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by EatTheWeek at 2:32 AM on December 29, 2011
I've applied, this looks great.
Would welcome a sponsorship chip if there's one spare.
And also glad to hear zarq is recovering.
posted by Infinite Jest at 5:40 AM on December 29, 2011
Would welcome a sponsorship chip if there's one spare.
And also glad to hear zarq is recovering.
posted by Infinite Jest at 5:40 AM on December 29, 2011
OK, I'm in. I'd take a chip if there's one lying around. Otherwise, I'll probably fork over $5, same as in Metafiiter.
I'm hoping my new treadmill desk will make me a ninja!
posted by Mngo at 6:06 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm hoping my new treadmill desk will make me a ninja!
posted by Mngo at 6:06 AM on December 29, 2011
So I was going to come in here and be all "I started working out but then I did some squats wrong and seriously injured myself but I can start again" and apparently I have been as one-upped as I possibly could be on that front.
posted by griphus at 7:00 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by griphus at 7:00 AM on December 29, 2011
Well maybe you shouldn't have started that fight in the cafeteria with Big Ed.
There wouldn't have to be a fight if Big Ed and the rest of those boys would stay outta One Eyed Jacques'!
posted by griphus at 7:01 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
There wouldn't have to be a fight if Big Ed and the rest of those boys would stay outta One Eyed Jacques'!
posted by griphus at 7:01 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
Bardophile and Infinite Jest, thank you.
So I was going to come in here and be all "I started working out but then I did some squats wrong and seriously injured myself but I can start again" and apparently I have been as one-upped as I possibly could be on that front."
Heh.
I have been informed by my doctor that I am not allowed to play with trees anymore. :)
Just requested to join for January. Ready for people to laugh at me.
Worth mentioning that Metafilter's Health Month Group is incredibly supportive and kind. I am generally self conscious about this sort of thing and tend to dread sharing with groups, but I actually looked forward to logging in every day.
posted by zarq at 7:18 AM on December 29, 2011
So I was going to come in here and be all "I started working out but then I did some squats wrong and seriously injured myself but I can start again" and apparently I have been as one-upped as I possibly could be on that front."
Heh.
I have been informed by my doctor that I am not allowed to play with trees anymore. :)
Just requested to join for January. Ready for people to laugh at me.
Worth mentioning that Metafilter's Health Month Group is incredibly supportive and kind. I am generally self conscious about this sort of thing and tend to dread sharing with groups, but I actually looked forward to logging in every day.
posted by zarq at 7:18 AM on December 29, 2011
I signed up for this ages ago and never did anything with it, but now I'm in for real!
posted by angels in the architecture at 7:32 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by angels in the architecture at 7:32 AM on December 29, 2011
Okay, I will give it a try. I may be social-media overloaded but I'll see if I can manage this.
I keep saying I'll get back to certain healthy habits as soon as the baby sleeps through the night, but now it is clear that THAT WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN so I guess now is as good a time as any, though I picked really easy goals because IT HAS NOW BEEN A SOLID YEAR SINCE I LAST SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT. (Last 6 months of pregnancy + first 6 months of baby.)
Also I seriously don't like raw fruit so "eat fruit" will actually be hard.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:48 AM on December 29, 2011
I keep saying I'll get back to certain healthy habits as soon as the baby sleeps through the night, but now it is clear that THAT WILL NEVER EVER HAPPEN so I guess now is as good a time as any, though I picked really easy goals because IT HAS NOW BEEN A SOLID YEAR SINCE I LAST SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT. (Last 6 months of pregnancy + first 6 months of baby.)
Also I seriously don't like raw fruit so "eat fruit" will actually be hard.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 7:48 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm in! I took a break in November/December. But I am all about getting back on board for 2012!
posted by Kitteh at 7:51 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by Kitteh at 7:51 AM on December 29, 2011
Eyebrows McGee: "IT HAS NOW BEEN A SOLID YEAR SINCE I LAST SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT. (Last 6 months of pregnancy + first 6 months of baby.)"
Oh man. I feel your pain. Am approaching 5 years since I was able to regularly, consistently sleep through the night now myself.
posted by zarq at 8:11 AM on December 29, 2011
Oh man. I feel your pain. Am approaching 5 years since I was able to regularly, consistently sleep through the night now myself.
posted by zarq at 8:11 AM on December 29, 2011
I am posting from the road but as soon as I get back to a laptop with a strong connection I'm signing up. I'm starting a PhD this Jan and need to get some structure and support for meeting goals in my life. Time to spend some energy on myself for a change. I'm looking forward to it!
posted by MultiFaceted at 8:33 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by MultiFaceted at 8:33 AM on December 29, 2011
I've got loads of sponsorship chips I'd love to spend on Mefites!
(And if anyone is also looking to sponsor, you can go here to see who's listed!)
posted by Mouse Army at 8:36 AM on December 29, 2011
(And if anyone is also looking to sponsor, you can go here to see who's listed!)
posted by Mouse Army at 8:36 AM on December 29, 2011
Yay for health! Please give me a (gentle) kick up the backside if I fall short of my goals!
posted by idiomatika at 8:37 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by idiomatika at 8:37 AM on December 29, 2011
Oh my gosh, look at all these new people. I was on the fence for January because I have been having a horrible time keeping up this month, but I guess I'll figure out why that is, and fix it, and join up again. Yay new folks!!
posted by librarina at 8:40 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by librarina at 8:40 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm in too! Let's see if I can do a few small things in January, then if I can hold on I will re-up in February.
posted by Night_owl at 8:45 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by Night_owl at 8:45 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm on a trip for most of January, but definitely signing up for February!
posted by bettafish at 9:47 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by bettafish at 9:47 AM on December 29, 2011
Yay! Thrilled to rejoin after giving up last April. I have 4 sponsorship chips, totally open to anyone on team mefi.
posted by troika at 9:48 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by troika at 9:48 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm all for starting back up with a few small things as well.
May we all succeed at our tiny (and less tiny) tasks.
Thank you to the Health Month organizers!
posted by Glinn at 9:52 AM on December 29, 2011
May we all succeed at our tiny (and less tiny) tasks.
Thank you to the Health Month organizers!
posted by Glinn at 9:52 AM on December 29, 2011
Back in, with some renewed commitment and revised rules, this January. Cannot say enough good things about our supportive MeFi team.
posted by bearwife at 9:57 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by bearwife at 9:57 AM on December 29, 2011
(And if anyone is also looking to sponsor, you can go here to see who's listed!)
Is there another page where you check that you would like to be sponsored, or does everybody who's not a paid member show in that link?
posted by ellieBOA at 10:05 AM on December 29, 2011
Is there another page where you check that you would like to be sponsored, or does everybody who's not a paid member show in that link?
posted by ellieBOA at 10:05 AM on December 29, 2011
Yay, thanks sponsor! If I don't meet my goals in January, I will use the word "gamify" with a straight face.
posted by Mngo at 10:14 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by Mngo at 10:14 AM on December 29, 2011
ellieBOA, you have to ask to be sponsored. Once you've set up your more than 3 rules for January and sign off on them, it'll give you the option to pay or "ask to be sponsored". My experience is that Team Metafilter is Super Quick at noting team members that have asked to be sponsored. Their generosity has led to my using my sponsorship chips on worthy non-mefite strangers, which is also fun!
posted by ldthomps at 10:22 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by ldthomps at 10:22 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm signing up again for January, and have decided to take on the Dreaded Tasks rule. Are people using a custom rule for that, or am I missing it in the available options?
posted by moira at 10:27 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by moira at 10:27 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm re-upped for January, and just requested sponsorship to boot. The "dreaded tasks" may become a signature of Team MetaFilter.
posted by ambrosia at 10:47 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by ambrosia at 10:47 AM on December 29, 2011
What is the Dreaded Tasks rule? I'm intrigued, because this instinctively sounds like something I need to do.
I will concur that Team Mefi is incredibly helpful and encouraging. I was brought back from something like -100 life points a few months ago, plus I've gotten great comments on my notes. I dropped out in October and November, but December has gotten me back to flossing, doing my back exercises (boo car crash!), and sorta-kinda exercising. Now I need to figure out whether to add another rule or two for January. (Something to coax me back on the bike? Writing? Wearing my biteguard?)
posted by epersonae at 11:31 AM on December 29, 2011
I will concur that Team Mefi is incredibly helpful and encouraging. I was brought back from something like -100 life points a few months ago, plus I've gotten great comments on my notes. I dropped out in October and November, but December has gotten me back to flossing, doing my back exercises (boo car crash!), and sorta-kinda exercising. Now I need to figure out whether to add another rule or two for January. (Something to coax me back on the bike? Writing? Wearing my biteguard?)
posted by epersonae at 11:31 AM on December 29, 2011
I have such an abysmal track record with Health Month, but I'm going to try it again. Woo.
posted by apricot at 11:32 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by apricot at 11:32 AM on December 29, 2011
Odd, I managed to sponsor myself last time, but can't do it this time. Anybody willing to sponsor me? I have chips and can trade sponsorship, if somebody else is in need.
posted by moira at 11:33 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by moira at 11:33 AM on December 29, 2011
Epersonae, I'm new to the dreaded tasks rule, but my take on it is that it's tackling a task you hate doing or have been procrastinating. I have mine set up on the minutes/day, days/week custom rule slot.
Thank you, troika!
posted by moira at 11:43 AM on December 29, 2011
Thank you, troika!
posted by moira at 11:43 AM on December 29, 2011
This is as good of a place as any to plug the Metafilter Fitocracy Group if Health Month isn't really your thing.
posted by schmod at 11:43 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by schmod at 11:43 AM on December 29, 2011
I'm in as notsohip. Thanks all.
posted by not.so.hip at 12:16 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by not.so.hip at 12:16 PM on December 29, 2011
I just sponsored you, Fully Completely. Could someone sponsor me? I could pay the $5, but if someone has an extra token that would help.
posted by apricot at 12:37 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by apricot at 12:37 PM on December 29, 2011
Troika sponsored me too (thanks again!), and I have three sponsorship chips (why that metaphor?) burning a whole in my pocket, but I'm not recognising any mefites on the sponsorship request page.
posted by Mngo at 12:44 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by Mngo at 12:44 PM on December 29, 2011
OK! I signed up and asked to join the team. Let's limit that internet use! :)
posted by gaspode at 12:55 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by gaspode at 12:55 PM on December 29, 2011
I'm in. My friends and I are looking at running a 5k come spring.
posted by Wossname at 1:11 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by Wossname at 1:11 PM on December 29, 2011
I'm in! Been looking for a way of tracking and rewarding my NY resolution to get up at a reasonable time...!
posted by dumdidumdum at 1:28 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by dumdidumdum at 1:28 PM on December 29, 2011
Okay, let's do this.
posted by Bunglegirl at 2:00 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by Bunglegirl at 2:00 PM on December 29, 2011
The Dreaded Tasks rule was my invention . Basically, I was looking for a way to capitalize on all the good that Health Month had done for things that need to be done routinely, and use it to motivate me to tackle those one-time (or very occasional) things that sit and sit and sit on the to-do list and just don't get done. That you mean to do, and then procrastinate on because they kind of suck for some reason, and then you add procrastination guilt on top...I'm sure we all could come up with a list of Dreaded Tasks!
There's no pre-set rule provided by the game, but you can use a custom rule to set one up. Some people like to do the X minutes/week. I set mine do do X events/week because some days I am just a super dreaded task dragon slayer and will knock off 2 or 3 in one afternoon. I keep a running list of potential tasks in Google Tasks.
One of the things I've discovered about the Dreaded Task rule is that a lot of people dread the same things I do, like making hair appointments or calling my mom. It's been enlightening to discuss why these simple tasks can sometimes seem so daunting.
posted by drlith at 2:05 PM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
There's no pre-set rule provided by the game, but you can use a custom rule to set one up. Some people like to do the X minutes/week. I set mine do do X events/week because some days I am just a super dreaded task dragon slayer and will knock off 2 or 3 in one afternoon. I keep a running list of potential tasks in Google Tasks.
One of the things I've discovered about the Dreaded Task rule is that a lot of people dread the same things I do, like making hair appointments or calling my mom. It's been enlightening to discuss why these simple tasks can sometimes seem so daunting.
posted by drlith at 2:05 PM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
Okay, I just added like 50+ people to the team! And then I went in to spend some of Matt's sponsorship chips on y'all... and there aren't any MeFites on the wall! Did everybody else get to them first?
The only person I wasn't able to verify was "shazaam bishop". I'm guessing s/he is a MeFite since the request came along with the rest of the flood, but can you drop me a MeMail or leave a comment here so I know who you are?
Thanks to drlith for making the post! Just to let people know, I didn't actually create the MeFi team. That honor rests solely with ocherdraco. I took over last year to give her a break. Hope to see you all over there next month!
posted by web-goddess at 3:10 PM on December 29, 2011
The only person I wasn't able to verify was "shazaam bishop". I'm guessing s/he is a MeFite since the request came along with the rest of the flood, but can you drop me a MeMail or leave a comment here so I know who you are?
Thanks to drlith for making the post! Just to let people know, I didn't actually create the MeFi team. That honor rests solely with ocherdraco. I took over last year to give her a break. Hope to see you all over there next month!
posted by web-goddess at 3:10 PM on December 29, 2011
Web-goddess, I'm not sure where to go to redeem or ask for the chips, I guess.
posted by Bunglegirl at 3:38 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by Bunglegirl at 3:38 PM on December 29, 2011
To get a sponsorship chip, you actually have to go through the process of setting up your rules for next month. You only need a chip if you have more than 3 rules. At the end of the process, it'll ask you to either pay or to request sponsorship. Your request will go up on the sponsorship wall, and then one of us will take care of it for you. It's kind of non-intuitive, really!
posted by web-goddess at 3:45 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by web-goddess at 3:45 PM on December 29, 2011
I'm in, and dithering over which rules to choose. Thanks!
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:29 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by Iris Gambol at 4:29 PM on December 29, 2011
It's kind of totally non-intuitive, really!
Gotcha. Maybe three rules are enough to start out... don't want to get too ambitious and let the team down.
posted by Bunglegirl at 4:33 PM on December 29, 2011
Gotcha. Maybe three rules are enough to start out... don't want to get too ambitious and let the team down.
posted by Bunglegirl at 4:33 PM on December 29, 2011
All right... I'm trying this again. Did it from February to July last year then totally gave up. Starting small and simple. I CAN DO THIS THING. I hope.
posted by SMPA at 5:02 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by SMPA at 5:02 PM on December 29, 2011
Just applied for sponsorship... If I do well this month, I'll happily sponsor someone else next month!
posted by Night_owl at 5:14 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by Night_owl at 5:14 PM on December 29, 2011
Hm. I signed up (this time for sure! I will stick with it! and will not crap out after a week or two!), chose four rules, confirmed them, and ... I'm not getting any message about paying or asking for sponsorship. I mean, I'd be glad to pay, but I can't figure out how to go about it. Any ideas?
posted by Kat Allison at 5:23 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by Kat Allison at 5:23 PM on December 29, 2011
I'm in! I set up three rules. Let's see how I do! If I make it through January without a Mt. Dew, I may up to 5 rules in February. Oh, Mountain Dew, piss of the gods, how will I do without you???
posted by theplotchickens at 5:48 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by theplotchickens at 5:48 PM on December 29, 2011
I'm in! Can someone please sponsor me? I'm bluedaisy over there as well. Thanks, all!
(You may note that one of my rules is to spend some quality time with my kids. Perhaps not coincidentally, my son just told me that MetaFilter is grey, blue, and green.)
posted by bluedaisy at 7:38 PM on December 29, 2011
(You may note that one of my rules is to spend some quality time with my kids. Perhaps not coincidentally, my son just told me that MetaFilter is grey, blue, and green.)
posted by bluedaisy at 7:38 PM on December 29, 2011
I signed up - but I don't really get it or the sponsorship thing. Can someone explain it?
posted by quodlibet at 8:08 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by quodlibet at 8:08 PM on December 29, 2011
Hi, Qoud. I've got you sponsored for this month.
Basically, Health Month is a fremium service--non-paying members can only play a game with up to 3 rules. If you want more, you have to either pay $5/mo (or you can sign up for a whole year for $50) or get someone to sponsor you. If you *do* fork over the $5, you get a sponsorship chip that allows you to sponsor one other player in addition. If you sign up for a whole year at a time, you get 15 sponsorship chips. There have also been one or two other points in the game where the developers have given out some bonus sponsorship chips to current players.
posted by drlith at 8:46 PM on December 29, 2011
Basically, Health Month is a fremium service--non-paying members can only play a game with up to 3 rules. If you want more, you have to either pay $5/mo (or you can sign up for a whole year for $50) or get someone to sponsor you. If you *do* fork over the $5, you get a sponsorship chip that allows you to sponsor one other player in addition. If you sign up for a whole year at a time, you get 15 sponsorship chips. There have also been one or two other points in the game where the developers have given out some bonus sponsorship chips to current players.
posted by drlith at 8:46 PM on December 29, 2011
Also, a few months back Mathowie bought the team, like, 75 sponsorship chips or something, which I've been trying to give out. But the other team members always seem to get to people first, so I've still got 41 left!
posted by web-goddess at 8:54 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by web-goddess at 8:54 PM on December 29, 2011
Kat - on the team list it shows you as "paid," and on your profile page it doesn't mention that you're looking to be sponsored. Did you maybe pay for a membership before? It looks like you're good to go, anyway.
posted by web-goddess at 8:58 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by web-goddess at 8:58 PM on December 29, 2011
I've developed more consistency in my workouts as a result of Health Month, but the surprising thing is that it's helped me stay on track on completely non-physical projects.
posted by ignignokt at 9:33 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by ignignokt at 9:33 PM on December 29, 2011
So I did everything and it's still telling me that my profile is 0% complete and the next step is to sign up, even though I have. Is that normal?
posted by bluedaisy at 9:45 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by bluedaisy at 9:45 PM on December 29, 2011
I've signed up once again, and vow to be more active on the team comment wall this month. Haven't been there much the last couple months, and I'm realizing the difference it makes to get and give a little encouragement. Team Effort! vs Ugh, Too Many Rules :(
Also, I've ordered a FitBit and added a steps rule, after seeing how many of you have liked it. Tonight it's raining and storming outside - perfect time to set a walking goal, I know!
posted by dorey_oh at 11:21 PM on December 29, 2011
Also, I've ordered a FitBit and added a steps rule, after seeing how many of you have liked it. Tonight it's raining and storming outside - perfect time to set a walking goal, I know!
posted by dorey_oh at 11:21 PM on December 29, 2011
I've just signed myself up, but I'm looking for a sponsor. Anyone?
posted by pomegranate at 5:44 AM on December 30, 2011
posted by pomegranate at 5:44 AM on December 30, 2011
web-goddess: "Kat - on the team list it shows you as "paid," and on your profile page it doesn't mention that you're looking to be sponsored. Did you maybe pay for a membership before? It looks like you're good to go, anyway."
Durrr -- I guess I must have paid some other time, in the blithe hope that putting money down would increase my motivation or somesuch, and then forgot about it. (Both the money and the motivation, that is...) In any event, thanks so much for checking, web-goddess, and for all your good work in managing this. Onward to January!
posted by Kat Allison at 6:32 AM on December 30, 2011
Durrr -- I guess I must have paid some other time, in the blithe hope that putting money down would increase my motivation or somesuch, and then forgot about it. (Both the money and the motivation, that is...) In any event, thanks so much for checking, web-goddess, and for all your good work in managing this. Onward to January!
posted by Kat Allison at 6:32 AM on December 30, 2011
I'm in, requested a sponsorship and even posted a question on the metafilter team wall. Pretty psyched about this!
posted by lunasol at 8:49 AM on December 30, 2011
posted by lunasol at 8:49 AM on December 30, 2011
I just joined -- it's my first time.
posted by vitabellosi at 9:42 AM on December 30, 2011
posted by vitabellosi at 9:42 AM on December 30, 2011
I have one more sponsorship chip left. If anyone would like it, please drop me a memail
posted by zarq at 9:52 AM on December 30, 2011
posted by zarq at 9:52 AM on December 30, 2011
I still have chips! Please post here if you need one (is that ok?)!
I missed out on sponsoring pomegranate by that much.
posted by zomg at 10:27 AM on December 30, 2011
I missed out on sponsoring pomegranate by that much.
posted by zomg at 10:27 AM on December 30, 2011
I am in - I think (had some issues with getting set up, but I think I have asked to join the team...)
posted by Wylla at 11:15 AM on December 30, 2011
posted by Wylla at 11:15 AM on December 30, 2011
A chip would be lovely zomg! ellieBOA on health month too.
posted by ellieBOA at 12:59 PM on December 30, 2011
posted by ellieBOA at 12:59 PM on December 30, 2011
ellieBOA, did you put in a sponsorship application on Health Month? I just went hunting for you to spnsor you without finding you.
posted by bearwife at 1:52 PM on December 30, 2011
posted by bearwife at 1:52 PM on December 30, 2011
I'm back in. It helped when I did it, then... you know, I stopped and it didn't.
posted by marylynn at 2:18 PM on December 30, 2011
posted by marylynn at 2:18 PM on December 30, 2011
I'm in! If anyone wants to sponsor me, that would be great!
posted by Snyder at 7:48 PM on December 30, 2011
posted by Snyder at 7:48 PM on December 30, 2011
Signed up. If anybody feels like sponsoring me, I'd be very grateful. This has been a rough Christmas, what with my procrastinating due to anxiety really catching up with me. I'm trying to improve, and this looks like a fun way to make that attempt.
posted by PussKillian at 8:13 PM on December 30, 2011
posted by PussKillian at 8:13 PM on December 30, 2011
Health month page is acting up. Sponsorships forthcoming when it is operational again.
posted by bearwife at 8:25 PM on December 30, 2011
posted by bearwife at 8:25 PM on December 30, 2011
I'm finding it a difficult interface, but maybe it will make more sense when the game starts tomorrow. (There was a page where it showed me the point value of my various tasks, which I haven't been able to find since!) Has anybody posted on the January game wall yet? I can't see it if they have.
Anyway, just signing up made me do one of my tasks every day for the last three days, one I usually forget in the hectic-ness of getting two kids up and dressed in the morning, so yay!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:18 AM on December 31, 2011
Anyway, just signing up made me do one of my tasks every day for the last three days, one I usually forget in the hectic-ness of getting two kids up and dressed in the morning, so yay!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:18 AM on December 31, 2011
I've signed up. I also find the interface a little hard to work with but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
If anyone has a sponsorship coin to spare I would love one! Thank you!
posted by pintapicasso at 6:45 AM on December 31, 2011
If anyone has a sponsorship coin to spare I would love one! Thank you!
posted by pintapicasso at 6:45 AM on December 31, 2011
Yeah, I find it a little confusing too. And I'm another one who it's telling has a 0% profile compete despite having a pic, linking to other sites etc.
I'm sure it will all become clearer when the game starts.
posted by gaspode at 7:07 AM on December 31, 2011
I'm sure it will all become clearer when the game starts.
posted by gaspode at 7:07 AM on December 31, 2011
I think I'm playing. The site is so damned buggy, it's hard to find out for sure. I'll take all the sponsorship I can get, by which I mean one sponsorship.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 11:40 AM on December 31, 2011
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 11:40 AM on December 31, 2011
Hey everyone! I just decided to sign up. I've been really slacking in my exercise and drinking probably a bit too much in the past few months, so maybe this will get me back on track.
Thanks for posting this drlith! It's a wonderful example of the power of the community. Also, congratulations on your awesome achievements and progress!
posted by formless at 12:27 PM on December 31, 2011
Thanks for posting this drlith! It's a wonderful example of the power of the community. Also, congratulations on your awesome achievements and progress!
posted by formless at 12:27 PM on December 31, 2011
The interface gets only slightly less confusing with time. (Also, the January game wall is empty at the moment.)
Escabeche, I see you playing a free game with 3 rules. If you want to add more rules, I'm happy to sponsor.
Homeboy, I don't see you anywhere. Are you signed up under a different name?
Anybody else still in need of sponsoring? If so, send me a link so I can find you. I have 3 chips to throw around.
posted by moira at 1:16 PM on December 31, 2011
Escabeche, I see you playing a free game with 3 rules. If you want to add more rules, I'm happy to sponsor.
Homeboy, I don't see you anywhere. Are you signed up under a different name?
Anybody else still in need of sponsoring? If so, send me a link so I can find you. I have 3 chips to throw around.
posted by moira at 1:16 PM on December 31, 2011
Thanks to the person who sponsored me! I'm still feeling my way around the site, but I'm excited about this being a useful reminder.
posted by PussKillian at 1:58 PM on December 31, 2011
posted by PussKillian at 1:58 PM on December 31, 2011
I'm definitely in, but the site won't let me sign up right now. but I'll be back
posted by crackingdes at 4:46 PM on December 31, 2011
posted by crackingdes at 4:46 PM on December 31, 2011
Yeah, you'll start to figure out the interface with time ... the first part of the month is always a sort of confusing workflow (plus we probably just overloaded the servers?), but once you get to the daily stuff, the steps you go through and the pages they are on are pretty self-evident and unconfusing.
I have another chip to offer, but I'll need one shortly.
posted by librarina at 6:17 PM on December 31, 2011
I have another chip to offer, but I'll need one shortly.
posted by librarina at 6:17 PM on December 31, 2011
As of now, we have 134 members on the MetaFilter team. That's crazy. Everybody's on board for New Year's, I guess!
posted by web-goddess at 2:35 PM on January 1, 2012
posted by web-goddess at 2:35 PM on January 1, 2012
A little late to the party, but I'm in.
posted by otters walk among us at 2:38 PM on January 1, 2012
posted by otters walk among us at 2:38 PM on January 1, 2012
I'm a little late to the party too, but I'm in. And already met my first rule today!! Second one doesn't count (not a work day), so gotta get number 3 done tonight. Probably while watching football.
Go Mefites!
posted by MultiFaceted at 2:57 PM on January 1, 2012
Go Mefites!
posted by MultiFaceted at 2:57 PM on January 1, 2012
I've tried to sign up on health month several times and I keep getting the same error message -- "invalid email address." I have tried with both @gmail and @mydomain addresses. Anyone else have this problem or any ideas on how to fix it?
posted by crackingdes at 1:25 PM on January 2, 2012
posted by crackingdes at 1:25 PM on January 2, 2012
Crackingdes, are you still having trouble? I'm almost certain the creator of Health Month, Buster, would be happy to help if you contacted him.
posted by moira at 1:49 PM on January 3, 2012
posted by moira at 1:49 PM on January 3, 2012
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by andoatnp at 7:04 PM on December 28, 2011