SparkPeople Review Part 2 (Imaginary Points Explained!)
The next part of your home page contains MyContent and MyCommunity. MyContent shows any news articles or information that fits your profile and may pertain to you. A lot of this information is sent out in daily emails as well (if you choose to receive the emails-which I did). MyCommunity shows any updates on your friends SparkPages and any activities in the groups and message boards that you subscribe to.
The far right column starts with your SparkPoints review and you’re SparkAmerica Fitness Points. You current number of SparkPoints is displayed, as well as the number of points till you reach a new trophy level, and your current trophy. The SparkAmerica Fitness Points is a promotion they have going on to promote people to be more physically active. The goal is to engage in physically fitness activity for 1800 minutes in a year (this is the default amount; I think you can change that number if you want to).
The social networking aspect of this site is like MySpace for people trying to lose weight. You have your profile you can customize, you have a blog you can write in, you can add friends, you can even reward your friends if they are doing a good job or being inspirational with SparkPoints. Now- what are these imaginary points? Just like any other imaginary points you win them for completing tasks. If you log in every day you can spin a wheel and earn extra points and sometimes even free items like t-shirts. Basically the SparkPoints are motivational tools. You get points for logging in everyday, drinking 8 glasses of water a day, logging your food intake, reading articles, reading email, interacting with others on their SparkPages or message boards. Basically every activity earns you points and new trophies. Just like playing a video game, you just earn points for completing tasks but here you get the added benefit of learning healthy lifestyle changes, tracking weight lose, and having support of other people trying to lose weight.
In support group for my weight loss surgery I have heard people say they don’t care for SparkPeople. I think it is an individual opinion and it works for some people and some people don’t like it. I personally like it so far. If you want to join me just tell them I referred you (INTUITIONJUICE – I get SparkPeople points for that!) and add me as a friend!
