Round two has ended. Report your data today

Reporting is easy. Just log into your account and click on the "The Challenge" tab. Next, select the "Track Results" tab and enter your data in the text boxes on the right hand side. Log into your account here at http://members.shapeupri.org/

For video instructions on reporting go to http://www.shapeupri.org/resources/tutorials

The deadline for reporting results is Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

Can you feel the difference?

March 8, 2010

Dear Friends,

Now that Round 2 has ended and you're reporting your progress, I think you’ll be amazed at what we have accomplished together in such a short period of time. We have walked thousands of miles and lost thousands of pounds!

We are already progressing toward our goals and making real lifestyle changes. Can you feel the difference? We are only starting to realize our true power to transform our health and the health of our entire state. I am so glad that you are part of this movement!

Yours In Health,

Rajiv Kumar

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This Week

This week is the first of our Wednesday Walk series. This Wednesday, March 10th, we are in Providence. Meet us at 12:15 p.m. on the Rhode Island State House lawn, across from the Mall for a 1.2 mile walk. That is over 2000 steps! Also, we are at the RI Home Show, this week. Come visit us!

Team photos and stories posted!

New team photos and stories are available at: http://www.shapeupri.org/photos-and-stories/

Every team has a story about why its members joined Shape Up RI. We want to hear about your team and your reasons for joining our family. What is your motivation? What are your goals in the program? How do you plan to achieve success? Have you already seen early progress? All teams who send photos and/or stories will be entered into a drawing for prizes at the end of the competition. Send photos and stories to: news@shapeupri.org

Calendar of Freebies: Do si do, anyone?

Get the team together for a free bowling game, find out how gentle stretching can help your back pain, and learn how to square dance (did you know that 90 minutes of square dancing is the equivalent of walking 2.5 to 3 miles?) this week. They’re among the dozens of free classes and happening on the calendar of events. Grab a teammate and go!

How many calories….?

...does a cup of blueberries have? Only 83, so they’re a great snack – and full of cancer-fighting antioxidants too! (Compare this to a 2-oz. Snickers bar from the vending machine, which has 273 calories and a lot of saturated fat.)

Frequently Asked Questions on Steps and Exercise

Can I Convert Other Activities to Pedometer Steps?
We suggest you only count walking, running, and other activities that you can do while wearing your pedometer toward your pedometer steps total. If you participate in activities like swimming, where wearing a pedometer is not feasible, you should count that toward your exercise hours total. Because there are no really accurate standards for converting activities into pedometer steps, we suggest Shape Up RI participants do not convert activities into steps.
 
If I Exercise While Wearing a Pedometer, Can I Also Count That Toward Exercise Hours?
Yes! Any moderate intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, jogging, running, playing sports, etc. can count toward your exercise hours, even if you are also wearing a pedometer and counting it toward your pedometer steps total.

Fruits and Vegetables Matter!

Almost everybody needs to eat more fruits and vegetables because more and more research shows they’re critical to good health, says the CDC. So check this out: How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need?
 
Fruits and veggies will help you lose weight if you substitute them for higher-calorie foods, both in hand and in recipes. Here are some tasty ways to do that: How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight.

Recipe: Ricotta Frittata with Mint

Eggs, ricotta, mint and garlic: You can’t go wrong with this combo or with this recipe. It’s part of The New York Times’s collection called Recipes for Health. There’s a new one every week. Check it out here

Walk of the Week: Downtown Newport

Rhode Islanders like to pop into Newport for dinner, but when was the last time you walked the city streets? This historic town is full of nooks and crannies that offer a surprise around every corner. The easiest destination for a winter walk is Thames Street. Park in the Visitors Center and start walking; you can go for about 25 blocks past historic buildings, trendy shops and tempting cafes. You can march down one side of Thames and up the other, or when you get to the end of Lower Thames’s commercial district, walk a block up the hill to Spring Street and return that way, with a great view of cheek-by-jowl historic homes and B&Bs. Remember at this off-season time of year, Rhode Islanders have this city mostly to ourselves!
 
Best Bet for This Weekend: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade for this Irish city kicks of at 11 a.m. and runs down Thames.
 
Best Bet for Astonishing Nautical Photography: Onne van der Wal Photography, Bannisters Wharf. Wander around the gallery and gape at his photos of everything sea-related, from Antarctic penguins to racing scenes from around the world.
 
Best Best For Cool Recycled Stuff: At Re-Sails, 400 Thames, you’ll find everything from jackets and bags to dog collars and neckties made from recycled sails. Really!
 
Best Bet To View A Nautical Craft: Newport Scrimshanders offers fascinating scrimshaw carvings by Brian Kiracofe, owner/artist. It’s at
14 Bowen's Wharf.
 
Best Bet for Outdoor Gear: Want a fleece that will take you from a coastal cruise to a cocktail party? You’ll find that and more cool outdoor gear at Helly Hansen, 154 Thames
 
Best Bet for Lunch on Lower Thames: Thai Cuisine, 517 Thames St., 841-8822
 
Best Bet for Lunch at a New Place: Diego’s, a Mexican gourmet restaurant, at 11 Bowen’s Wharf, 619-2640. Even the sound of Black Pepper Shrimp Mango Salad or Seaside Tacos with grilled fish makes our mouth water.

Important: The information provided by Shape Up RI is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for the care and advice of a professional health care provider. Before beginning any physical activity and/or weight loss program you should consult your physician. Shape Up RI provides health information meant for people in generally good health. If you have an underlying medical concern, please consult your physician about how this information affects your specific medical conditions.