We have exciting news to share about BodyMedia!

After 14 years of innovating wearable health technology solutions for consumers and professionals alike, we are excited to become part of a new family.  Today, Jawbone is announcing the acquisition of BodyMedia, Inc.  Jawbone’s expertise in consumer technology and design, plus the insights from BodyMedia’s clinically proven system, will empower the combined team to do even more to help you achieve your goals and lead a healthier life.

Jawbone is the creator of UP – the lifestyle tracking wristband + app system – as well as the best-selling JAMBOX family of wireless speakers and the award-winning Jawbone ERA and ICON Bluetooth headsets.

What does this mean for you as a BodyMedia user?  At this point, nothing changes.  Your armband, activity manager, Customer Support, and any integrated apps you are using will continue working as they always have.  And the future?  Stay tuned.  You will see exciting, positive changes as Jawbone and BodyMedia combine forces to deliver great things across health and wellness.

As always, please feel free to reach out to us through Customer Support or on social media if you have questions.  We appreciate you as a customer…here’s to continued GREAT health!

Yours in Health,

 Christine Robins
CEO, BodyMedia

A few weeks ago, we featured a blog post on how you can get off your couch and start hitting the pavement.  If you are 30 days into our couch to runner plan, congratulations!  You are now a runner!

A great way to keep yourself motivated and on track (pun intended) is to give yourself a goal.  Now that you have established a running routine, why not focus your efforts on training for a race?  Even if you aren’t up to running speed yet, many public races now allow walkers to participate too.  Even as a walker, a race is a great way to keep yourself motivated and push yourself to achieve your fitness goals.

The Biggest Loser RunWalk has prepared 4 different race preparation programs, brought to you by BodyMedia.  Whether you are just planning to walk a 5K or break records in a half marathon, just pick the plan for you and aim for the finish line.  Take a look at these great training programs:

5K

10K

15K

Half-marathon

Whichever plan you pick, remember to keep wearing your BodyMedia FIT Armband to keep track of your burn and the intensity of your training.  And if you need to find a race in your area, check out Active.com for an event near you.

Are you training for an upcoming race this spring or summer?  Share your training regimen with us on Facebook and Twitter, or start a conversation at SparkPeople.com and MyFitnessPal  and let us know how you do!

Attention fans of The Biggest Loser… Are you wondering what your favorite contestants are up to now?  BodyMedia was proud to be part of the contestants’ weight loss process, but their fitness journeys haven’t ended after the cameras turned off.  Learn how they keep pushing themselves to be better and healthier every day!

Danni

Danni shares how Jillian transformed her life with the Huffington Post.  Learn how she is planning to go “Forrest Gump” on the nation and run everywhere she can, starting with the Chicago Marathon!

Mike

Mike was The Biggest Loser’s heaviest contestant but is now making healthy eating a family affair.  Read his story here.

Jeff

Jeff now can wake up excited every day.  He shares his tips and tricks with the Huffington Post.

Lisa

Looking for inspiration on how to create your own fitness regimen?  Find out how Lisa did so well while competing from home.

Joe

Joe is selflessly taking the lessons of dedication and hard work he learned on the show to the non-profit sector with his Wear Your Soul program:

Jackson

Jackson is paying it forward by using what he learned on the show to mentor others and become a better role model. He shares his story with ABC.

Gina

Learn what mantras got Gina through her workouts!

David

David gives you a peek at what went on behind the scenes and how this helped him on his emotional journey as well.

How long have you been on your fitness journey?  What keeps you motivated for the long term?  Share your thoughts and ideas with us on Facebook and Twitter, or start a conversation at SparkPeople.com and MyFitnessPal!

The weather is warming up and the travel bug is biting.  If you are heading out for a well-deserved spring vacation, be sure to bring all your new healthy habits with you.  Here are a few tips to help you pack light without packing on the pounds.

1. Pack healthy snacks.  While it may be impossible to pack a whole week’s worth of healthy meals, by bringing along portable healthy snacks like dried fruits and nuts will make sure you have a healthy alternative wherever you go.
2. If you can, plan a trip that gets you outdoors and moving.  Vacation is a great time to see new places and try new things.  Get out and go for a hike or bike ride.  Take a walking tour of a new city.  And be sure to pack your bathing suit for a swim in the ocean or even just the hotel pool.  Many hotels even have an indoor gym.  Take advantage of it!
3. Drink alcohol in moderation.  Vacation can be a time to let loose, but remember that alcoholic drinks can be highly caloric.
4. When eating out, make healthy food choices.  Restaurants tend to up the calories on your favorite dishes, so be sure to ask the server to tone it down on butter,oils, and salts.  Also, vacation is great time to sample fresh, local cuisine.  If you are by the seaside, try a great fish dish and certainly try whatever local fruits and vegetables are in season at your favorite vacation destination.
5. Bring along your BodyMedia! Remember to bring your BodyMedia device so that you can keep track of your activity and food.  This daily input will make sure you are keeping on track and not taking a vacation from a healthy lifestyle!

Do you have any tips or tricks for a health vacation?  Find us on Facebook and Twitter and share your ideas with us, or start a conversation at SparkPeople.com and MyFitnessPal!

Today, we’re very proud to introduce our guest blogger Melissa Meyer from FitOrbit.com! Melissa is an ACSM-certified personal trainer with degrees in Exercise Science and Dance. Dedicated, hardworking, and passionate, Melissa prides herself in developing extremely effective and creative methods. Melissa has an extensive background in the health industry and has worked as a high-intensity trainer and weight loss coach for over 10 years. Her experience is in dance, yoga, Pilates, and stretching, as well as injury rehabilitation. 

Do Not Diet:  Yep, that’s what it says.  Diets actually slow down your metabolism, which causes you to gain weight.  When you lose weight by dieting alone you also lose muscle mass.  The loss of your muscle will slow down your metabolism.  Here’s the Skinny: Instead eat at least 4-5 small meals a day.  This will help your body burn the fuel most efficiently.

Do Not Drink Your Calories: Unless you are juicing your own fruits and vegetables, sodas and many juices have very little nutritional value.  Here’s the Skinny: It’s added calories to your day, and the first ones you should drop.  If you were to replace just one caloric drink a day with water, you can lose 2 pounds a month!

Change it Up: Chances are you wouldn’t have even started reading this article if what you’re currently doing was working for you. You’ve hit a plateau from doing that same old routine over and over; it’s time to change it up! Here’s the Skinny: It is crucial to always confuse your muscles to ensure you get the most out of your workout.  Does muscle confusion confuse you? You might consider consulting a fitness expert.  The online fitness site FitOrbit is an amazing and very affordable online training program. It connects you one on one with a Personal Trainer who is an expert in the field and can give you a new exciting workout and nutritional program.

Incorporate High Intensity Interval Workouts:  We all have busy schedules and HIIT workouts can be done quickly, anywhere, and with no equipment 2-3 times a week.  Here’s the Skinny: With HIIT workouts you get the most bang for your buck. You’ll get more out of your workout in 20 minutes of interval training than most people on the elliptical for an hour.  In order to ensure you’re working out at the right intensity level products like BodyMedia’s armband track how hard you’re exercising and how many calories you’re burning.

Pass on the Salt:  High salt foods cause your body to retain water, which gives you a bloated belly.  Here’s the Skinny: To get rid of excess salt and water weight actually drink more water.  Water helps flush the salt from your system.  You can shed several pounds with this one tip.

– Melissa Meyer

Warmer spring weather is just around the corner.  There is no better time to break out those sneakers and start jogging.  Starting a running routine doesn’t have to be scary, even if you have been on the couch all winter long.  All you have to do is take a few easy steps (literally!) and you will be a runner in under a month!

1.  Get off the couch and reserve just a half hour a day for developing a running routine.
2. The first day, plan on walking for 29 minutes then run the last minute of your route.
3. Every day trade one minute of walking for one minute of running.  So on Day 2 you will be walking for 28 minutes and running for 2.  Day 3, you will walk for 27 minutes and running for 3 minutes.
4. By Day 30 you will be running a full half hour.  Congratulations!  See how easy that was?!

Try alternating between your run and walk periods multiple times and you will get the extra benefit of interval training as well.

If you are just starting out as a runner or even if you have been a hardcore runner all winter long, nothing gets you motivated like a SMART goal.  Signing up for a race is a great way to keep an end point in sight so that you don’t feel like you are chasing down the ever-moving finish line.  Once you have chosen your race – whether it be a short 3K, 5K or a full marathon – you will have to train and keep yourself on track.  Find a race near you and training tips by checking out Active.com.

If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser, be sure to also check out the fun events and races they are sponsoring across the country.  These events are welcoming and supportive – and an all-around fantastic way to test your fitness in a low-pressure environment filled with fellow fans!  Check out a Run/Walk or Off-Road Challenge near you at http://www.biggestloserrunwalk.com/.

How do you rev up your routine in anticipation for spring?  If you are a runner, we’d love to hear more about how you get the most out of the change in the weather.  Find us on Facebook and Twitter and share your ideas with us, or start a conversation at SparkPeople.com and MyFitnessPal!

March is National Nutrition Month.  This is a great time to start incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet.  When it comes to fruits and vegetables, the more the merrier and variety is key.  It’s also easier than you might think.  Many towns and cities across the country have farmers markets and even some larger grocery stores feature local produce.  Buying what is local guarantees that you are getting fruits and vegetables at the height of their freshness and at their most nutritious.

Joining a CSA is also great way to get a great variety of fruits and vegetables that you might not otherwise try.  CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture.”  Essentially you are buying a share of a local farm which will then provide you with regular produce throughout the growing season.  When you pick up your CSA box, you might discover a whole array of in-season veggies that you have never encountered before.  Don’t know how to prepare a rutabaga or what to do with endive?  Don’t worry.  The variety you get with a CSA box will give you a fantastic excuse to break out the cookbook or spend time on Pinterest to try something new.  And remember, the greater the diversity of fruits and vegetables you are getting in your diet, the more likely you are to be getting a complete spread of vitamins and minerals.

Still need some inspiration?  Take a look at the great vegetarian recipes we are featuring on Pinterest.  You are sure to find something nutritious that makes your mouth water and add some novelty to your dinner plate.  And be sure to record all of your healthy meals in your BodyMedia Activity Manager!

How do you make sure you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables?  Leave your tips and suggestions in the comments below, find us on Facebook, or start a conversation on MyFitnessPal or SparkPeople!

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal and it’s officially less than a month away!  If you have fallen short of your New Year’s resolution, use this new season as a time to hit the reset button or to make new resolutions.  And even if you have been keeping up with your fitness promises, now is a great time to double down on your commitment to fitness and total wellness.

The warmer weather is just around the corner.  Soon, a whole landscape of outdoor activities will be available to you just in time to add some spice and freedom to your exercise routine.  By planning ahead for the new season, you will become more excited about new fitness goals in the months ahead.  Use the extra enthusiasm to focus on pushing yourself harder during the last few weeks of your winter workouts.  Dust off those running shoes and unpack your warm-weather workout gear.  Go the extra step and find new parks, trails, and neighborhoods to explore.  Enjoy every ounce of the new season by getting out there and getting going.

If you need a kick-start in your workout to feel ready for the outdoors, Jillian Michaels and Shape magazine have a plan to get you road-ready in the weeks ahead.  Jillian Michaels’ workout plan consists of two simple sets of exercises designed to get you moving and burning calories.  All you need is a set of hand weights (feel free to make them heavier if needed!) and the comfort of your own home.  So move the couches in your living room to the side and renew your commitment to fitness and health.

How does spring weather change your outlook on exercise?  Do you mix up your routine and get outdoors?  We’d love to hear about your spring regimen.  Find us on Facebook and Twitter and share your ideas with us, or start a conversation at SparkPeople.com and MyFitnessPal!

Spring is almost here!  And for some of us that means spring cleaning.  If you are worried that spending time sprucing up your home might take away from your exercise routine, don’t be! Studies have shown that engaging in normal chores and activities is a great way to burn calories and add to overall cardiovascular fitness.

You may have noticed that when you use your BodyMedia, everyday activities burn more calories than you might have thought.  When you are looking for caloric burn alone, there is little difference between traditional exercise and any other activity that keeps you moving and your heart rate up.  Even simple chores can be a great boost to your burn.  So why not start your spring cleaning early!

Curious as to how much you could be burning around the house?  Check out these caloric burn rates of everyday chores (based on estimates of the average 150lbs person.  Try them out with your BodyMedia armband to see what they burn for you!) :

Doing the Dishes = 77 calories

Gardening = 236 calories

Grocery Shopping = 122 calories

Ironing = 77 calories

Mowing the Lawn = 162 calories

Moping the Floors = 132 calories

Playing with the Kids = 88 calories

Vacuuming = 150 calories

(Source: http://www.wellnesswatchersmd.com/exercise/articles/household_chores.php)

By using your BodyMedia device, have you discovered that an everyday activity is also a really great exercise? If so, let us know about it by finding us on Facebook or Twitter.  Or share it with your fitness community by starting a conversation on SparkPeople and MyFitnessPal!

February is National Cancer Prevention month.  This month, we encourage all our BodyMedia fans to take care of themselves for long-term health and happiness.   Taking steps for cancer prevention is easier than you might imagine.  If you are already keeping track of your food and exercise with BodyMedia, those same lifestyle changes will help you keep healthy and reduce your risk of cancer and a host of other diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.  The key is to stay on track and maintain your healthy lifestyle for the long haul.  So this Valentine’s Day, give the gift of health to the most important person in your life: yourself!

Cancer prevention and whole-body fitness go hand-in-hand.  The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends these simple steps:

1. Eat your veggies! Essential nutrients found in fruits, vegetables and beans can help fortify your body against disease.  By repairing DNA and regulating cell growth, the vitamins, minerals and fiber in plant-based food ensure that your body has all it needs for daily and long-term wellness.  Also, by limiting your calories and avoiding red meat (especially high-sodium and processed meats), you may curb your risk for some forms of cancer.
2. Keep moving! Studies are showing a link between physical activity level and cancer risk.  Daily exercise (about 30 minutes a day) reduces insulin resistance, regulates your hormones and stems inflammation therefore reducing factors that contribute to cancer risk. So grab your sneakers and your BodyMedia Armband and start moving.
3. Maintain your healthy weight.  By eating right and exercising, you may find that you shed a few pounds too!  Healthy weight loss is proving to be more and more important in cancer prevention, and maintenance of your healthy weight is also key.  Make your healthy habits into a wellness lifestyle and you have the perfect recipe for lasting health.

How do you keep up a healthy lifestyle every day?  Join the conversation on SparkPeople and MyFitnessPal and let us know your plans for long-term health and wellness.