Health Month February 3, 2011 1:10 PM Subscribe
I'm going to be playing Health Month for the month of March. I noticed there wasn't a MetaFilter team, so I made one. Are you playing Health Month? Do you want to play Health Month? Join the team!
I should add—I didn't realize it was possible to join the game late when I initially posted. I've since joined February's game, and you can, too, if you'd like.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:22 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 1:22 PM on February 3, 2011
How much masturbation is involved?
posted by cjorgensen at 1:31 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by cjorgensen at 1:31 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Well, it depends on how much you call for in your rules...
posted by ocherdraco at 1:31 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 1:31 PM on February 3, 2011
Here's a description of the game:
Are you new to Health Month? Here's the quick and dirty.posted by ocherdraco at 1:35 PM on February 3, 2011
Health Month is all about making small improvements to your health, one month at a time. Players (that’s you!) can choose 1 or more rules to try to stick to for a month from the many different dietary, fitness, relationship, mental health, and financial health behaviors that are currently in the game. For first time players, 1-5 rules is a nice way to start. Choose rules that you want to work on, and try to make small improvements to your current behavior rather than going cold-turkey, whole-hog, or crazy-wombat. You can always ratchet up the difficulty next month, once you get the hang of it.
Joined! This looks really great, I can't get anything done without external pressures (one of the many ways I am like a metamorphic rock). I am hoping that this friendly-looking program will turn deep-shame-red if I miss my goals.
posted by troika at 1:36 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by troika at 1:36 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you fill up all your hearts can you shoot octoroks with your sword?
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:38 PM on February 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:38 PM on February 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
Sent in a join request :)
posted by DrGirlfriend at 1:53 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by DrGirlfriend at 1:53 PM on February 3, 2011
Is this the kind of thing one can attempt with a job that works 16 hour days and stuff?
posted by edbles at 2:21 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by edbles at 2:21 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
This looks neat! I sent a join request.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 2:29 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 2:29 PM on February 3, 2011
what do i get if i win
Well, taken to its logical extension, if the game inspires you to make real improvement to your health, then you get MORE LIFE.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:34 PM on February 3, 2011 [3 favorites]
Well, taken to its logical extension, if the game inspires you to make real improvement to your health, then you get MORE LIFE.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:34 PM on February 3, 2011 [3 favorites]
Is this something I'd have to not be deathly lazy to get?
posted by Elmore at 2:35 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by Elmore at 2:35 PM on February 3, 2011
Is this the kind of thing one can attempt with a job that works 16 hour days and stuff?
I think so. Since you get to set the rules, and the playing field is, essentially, your life, presumably you can adapt it to whatever your circumstances are, so long as you can set aside a couple minutes at the end of each day to check in with the site.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:37 PM on February 3, 2011
I think so. Since you get to set the rules, and the playing field is, essentially, your life, presumably you can adapt it to whatever your circumstances are, so long as you can set aside a couple minutes at the end of each day to check in with the site.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:37 PM on February 3, 2011
Oh, and folks who are joining: could you put your MetaFilter username in your bio on your profile? It would be nice to see who everyone actually is, if you know what I mean.
posted by ocherdraco at 2:37 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 2:37 PM on February 3, 2011
then you get MORE LIFE, fucker.
These rules, are they team-wide, or does each person pick their own?
posted by backseatpilot at 3:05 PM on February 3, 2011
These rules, are they team-wide, or does each person pick their own?
posted by backseatpilot at 3:05 PM on February 3, 2011
Hey so how much does this stuff cost? I assume it's not free, is it?
posted by crunchland at 3:06 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by crunchland at 3:06 PM on February 3, 2011
That's weird, I signed up with my Mefi name (and a fake surname), and it somehow already had my Mefi profile pic.
Huh.
posted by everichon at 3:13 PM on February 3, 2011
Huh.
posted by everichon at 3:13 PM on February 3, 2011
crunchland, it's free if you do 3 or fewer rules; with more than 3 rules, you pay $5/month or $50/year. There are also sponsorships available; I have been playing for a while now, so I think I can sponsor someone but I'd have to look into that. MeMail me if you're interested in being sponsored.
posted by katie at 3:24 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by katie at 3:24 PM on February 3, 2011
Crunchland: mine is free as long as I have three rules or less.
Backseatpilot: the rules are your own.
Everyone: go team!
posted by verbyournouns at 3:24 PM on February 3, 2011
Backseatpilot: the rules are your own.
Everyone: go team!
posted by verbyournouns at 3:24 PM on February 3, 2011
everichon, it uses gravatar if you've got one and you haven't uploaded another photo. It did the same for me.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:26 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 3:26 PM on February 3, 2011
I'm in! I'm trying it for myself, but I'll also be evaluating whether it's worth recommending to my patients (making health fun ftw!)
posted by supercrayon at 3:43 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by supercrayon at 3:43 PM on February 3, 2011
I feel so potentially healthy and full of community :-)
posted by ChuraChura at 4:14 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ChuraChura at 4:14 PM on February 3, 2011
Back in September I labeled Health Month as little more than a prettified version of Joe's Goals.
After using it for the past month I have to admit that I was wrong. Absolutely and completely wrong. It's like they took the whole "Seinfield calendar" thing and perfected it with the addition of the social element and the point system that caters to that little gamer we all have in our hearts. I'm an awful procrastinator but this thing makes me want to do things.
I wholeheartedly recommend it and I wish I had tried it out earlier.
posted by Memo at 4:14 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
After using it for the past month I have to admit that I was wrong. Absolutely and completely wrong. It's like they took the whole "Seinfield calendar" thing and perfected it with the addition of the social element and the point system that caters to that little gamer we all have in our hearts. I'm an awful procrastinator but this thing makes me want to do things.
I wholeheartedly recommend it and I wish I had tried it out earlier.
posted by Memo at 4:14 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm in. That's some strangely fun stuff.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 4:22 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 4:22 PM on February 3, 2011
Oh hey; Buster Benson is a (longtime) mefite. Wonder if he'll join our team?
posted by ocherdraco at 4:24 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 4:24 PM on February 3, 2011
I just joined, and I requested to be a member of the metafilter team. GO TEAM!
posted by two lights above the sea at 4:44 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by two lights above the sea at 4:44 PM on February 3, 2011
When does Team Metafilter get to start crushing the health of our enemies?
posted by Dr. Zira at 4:50 PM on February 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Dr. Zira at 4:50 PM on February 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
I already quit smoking, what more do you health weirdos want?
posted by jonmc at 5:16 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 5:16 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh, if Buster Benson's responsible, I'm sure it's awesome. His 750 Words is either great or the greatest thing ever, I can't decide which. I'll definitely check this out!
posted by estlin at 5:23 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by estlin at 5:23 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
Okay, I joined up. Yay for me! And you!
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:28 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:28 PM on February 3, 2011
Hang on - I can't tell if I signed up for the team, or if I just signed up. I meant to sign up for Team Metafilter. Rats!
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:38 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:38 PM on February 3, 2011
Oh, there I am! Took a minute to load. I feel healthier already!
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:45 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:45 PM on February 3, 2011
ThatCanadianGirl, go to the MetaFilter team page. In the top lefthand corner, if you've signed up but haven't joined the team, you should see two buttons, one that says "Want to join February's team late? Ask to join this team late," and one that says "Want to join this team for March's game? Ask to join this team." Click on one or both, and you should be good to go!
Also, FYI, joining the team requires that the team organizer (and that would be me) manually hits a button to let you join. So don't worry if you aren't let in immediately; I'm probably just asleep or something.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:52 PM on February 3, 2011
Also, FYI, joining the team requires that the team organizer (and that would be me) manually hits a button to let you join. So don't worry if you aren't let in immediately; I'm probably just asleep or something.
posted by ocherdraco at 5:52 PM on February 3, 2011
If you fill up all your hearts can you shoot octoroks with your sword?
Only if your name is Zelda Baby.
posted by SpacemanStix at 7:00 PM on February 3, 2011
Only if your name is Zelda Baby.
posted by SpacemanStix at 7:00 PM on February 3, 2011
Okay, I'm in. Maybe this will prevent me from having backfat in my wedding dress.
posted by 26.2 at 7:02 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by 26.2 at 7:02 PM on February 3, 2011
I've been doing another project by the same people called 750 words for several months now and it's worked really well at getting me to write every day (and not just snark on the blue). I need to think about this and figure out some goals.
posted by immlass at 7:26 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by immlass at 7:26 PM on February 3, 2011
Ok, I've joined. I put a space in my username Cathy G - maybe that's ok? I can't see any way to change it or update my profile.
I need to go exercise right now so I can make my target for the rest of the week. I guess it's already being a good influence on me.
posted by CathyG at 7:30 PM on February 3, 2011
I need to go exercise right now so I can make my target for the rest of the week. I guess it's already being a good influence on me.
posted by CathyG at 7:30 PM on February 3, 2011
Nice. I've been using habitforge for this. I signed up as lot0 because all the cook kids use numbers instead of letters.
posted by Loto at 7:35 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by Loto at 7:35 PM on February 3, 2011
I'm in! Just filling out my profile and stuff now.
posted by web-goddess at 7:48 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by web-goddess at 7:48 PM on February 3, 2011
Wow, this would be a GREAT time to give up my heroin habit!
posted by ~Sushma~ at 7:59 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ~Sushma~ at 7:59 PM on February 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm in. I need to be in shape to walk 96km in five months, so any extra motivation is more than welcome.
posted by dg at 8:01 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by dg at 8:01 PM on February 3, 2011
I'm in. I've got big goals this year - good to have MeFi support and a funky site to play with.
posted by catlet at 8:05 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by catlet at 8:05 PM on February 3, 2011
CathyG, that's totally fine. Having the exact same username isn't any kind of requirement, it's really just to help other mefites recognize you. Should you want to alter your profile, click the "You" button in the navigation bar at the bottom of the browser window, and then click "Edit Account."
posted by ocherdraco at 8:14 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 8:14 PM on February 3, 2011
Oh, man, I'm already on a team! I wish the MetaFilter team a lot of luck and health and fruit and lifepoints, though, and a firm grip on second place.
Behind Team Crafty, who will KICK YOUR ASS!!!!
posted by booksherpa at 8:38 PM on February 3, 2011
Behind Team Crafty, who will KICK YOUR ASS!!!!
posted by booksherpa at 8:38 PM on February 3, 2011
Woohoo! I've been thinking about trying this for a while. 750words has been wonderful for me for nearly a year now, and this looks like it has the potential to be just as motivating for my personality type. The idea of team metafilter just made it that little bit more awesome that pushed me over the edge.
posted by lriG rorriM at 9:02 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by lriG rorriM at 9:02 PM on February 3, 2011
Oh, god! Some of you are training for marathons and I'm thinking of maybe eating more apples.
posted by houseofdanie at 9:02 PM on February 3, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by houseofdanie at 9:02 PM on February 3, 2011 [5 favorites]
My primary goal is "less instant ramen gah why do you eat that stuff?"
In my defense, it is a million times tastier here in Japan.
posted by that girl at 9:16 PM on February 3, 2011
In my defense, it is a million times tastier here in Japan.
posted by that girl at 9:16 PM on February 3, 2011
Oh, god! Some of you are training for marathons and I'm thinking of maybe eating more apples.
I know...my biggest goal right now is to kick my soda habit. That's about as much as I can handle right now.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 9:26 PM on February 3, 2011
I know...my biggest goal right now is to kick my soda habit. That's about as much as I can handle right now.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 9:26 PM on February 3, 2011
The marathon thing is insanity, really. It makes me sound way sportier than I really am. Would it help if I said I'm looking at a time goal of six hours (if I'm lucky)?
posted by web-goddess at 9:32 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by web-goddess at 9:32 PM on February 3, 2011
What the heck, I'll give it a shot.
posted by IndigoRain at 10:12 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by IndigoRain at 10:12 PM on February 3, 2011
web-goddess, you will rock a marathon. Which one are you planning to do? I lurve marathons.
BTW, is there a way to overwrite the font on that page? My eyes, they bleed. (I'm using Chrome.)
posted by 26.2 at 10:16 PM on February 3, 2011
BTW, is there a way to overwrite the font on that page? My eyes, they bleed. (I'm using Chrome.)
posted by 26.2 at 10:16 PM on February 3, 2011
26.2, I think he's using TypeKit. I'm sure there's a way to block that. (Not that I know it, though.)
By the by, I was trying to write a little tip to elucidate how points work on Health Month (particularly team points), earlier this evening, and I ended up writing a treatise on the inner workings of the game.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:47 PM on February 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
By the by, I was trying to write a little tip to elucidate how points work on Health Month (particularly team points), earlier this evening, and I ended up writing a treatise on the inner workings of the game.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:47 PM on February 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
26.2 - I'm aiming for the Macleay River Marathon. It's up near my in-laws' place; it's pretty flat; and as far as I can tell it doesn't have any time cut-off. Ideal for my first one!
posted by web-goddess at 12:03 AM on February 4, 2011
posted by web-goddess at 12:03 AM on February 4, 2011
I'm in, i've been getting my exercise etc back on track anyway so why not make it into a game?
posted by biochemist at 12:19 AM on February 4, 2011
posted by biochemist at 12:19 AM on February 4, 2011
I want to play but I'm going on vacay in a couple of weeks, does that screw me up? I might be ... yay ... disconnected for a while.
posted by thinkpiece at 4:15 AM on February 4, 2011
posted by thinkpiece at 4:15 AM on February 4, 2011
thinkpiece: "I want to play but I'm going on vacay in a couple of weeks, does that screw me up? I might be ... yay ... disconnected for a while"
It does, sadly. I lost about a week's worth of points in January as I didn't follow any of my rules during a trip.
It is, however, your game. If you feel a vacation excuses you from doing them just mark them as completed. I didn't because I know that if I cheat even once all the fun is going to disappear and I'll stop playing but YMMV.
On preview maybe I misunderstood your question. You can report your days any time you want during the month or skip them.
posted by Memo at 4:49 AM on February 4, 2011
It does, sadly. I lost about a week's worth of points in January as I didn't follow any of my rules during a trip.
It is, however, your game. If you feel a vacation excuses you from doing them just mark them as completed. I didn't because I know that if I cheat even once all the fun is going to disappear and I'll stop playing but YMMV.
On preview maybe I misunderstood your question. You can report your days any time you want during the month or skip them.
posted by Memo at 4:49 AM on February 4, 2011
No, it won't screw you up. Keep track of how well you keep the rules while you're disconnected, and then input the data the next time you're online. You'll miss the small bonus for timely reporting, but I suspect you'll make that up by being better able to keep up with your rules!
posted by ocherdraco at 4:54 AM on February 4, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 4:54 AM on February 4, 2011
My Team Metafilter health goal is to not eat anything left out on the counter overnight and/at the back of the fridge for one month and growing Squishy Honeys. If I finish the month with less than 1 life point, I pledge to go to the ER and/or morgue, as applicable.
posted by drlith at 7:50 AM on February 4, 2011
posted by drlith at 7:50 AM on February 4, 2011
I joined! Now what?
This is a somewhat confusing site. I'm good at the Internet.
posted by functionequalsform at 10:55 AM on February 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
This is a somewhat confusing site. I'm good at the Internet.
posted by functionequalsform at 10:55 AM on February 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, it is somewhat confusing. But I'm willing to give the guy a break—he's running the whole thing by himself.
If you've got specific questions about the game, feel free to MeMail me.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:36 PM on February 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
If you've got specific questions about the game, feel free to MeMail me.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:36 PM on February 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
I've signed up and requested to join. My only frustration - I went in to change a setting on my custom rule, and I lost wording of the rule.
Now I am aiming to do one custom positive thing 5 days a week.
posted by never used baby shoes at 1:52 PM on February 4, 2011
Now I am aiming to do one custom positive thing 5 days a week.
posted by never used baby shoes at 1:52 PM on February 4, 2011
Hey buddies! I'm on the team! I'm "elena" (my username is also pazazygeek but I show up as "elena" -- I guess because that's my name). Anyway. GO TEAM
posted by pazazygeek at 10:32 AM on February 7, 2011
posted by pazazygeek at 10:32 AM on February 7, 2011
I'm in for March - looks like ocherdraco has already approved my team membership. Thanks for the mention on the podcast which reminded me about this.
Oh, and since no one else has made this joke yet:
I need to be in shape to walk 96km in five months
That's less than a kilometer per day!
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 3:04 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh, and since no one else has made this joke yet:
I need to be in shape to walk 96km in five months
That's less than a kilometer per day!
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 3:04 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Heh, yeah, I suck at teh English. Of course I meant that, in five months time, I need to be able to walk 96km without a break (apart from eating and pissing)
posted by dg at 4:23 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by dg at 4:23 PM on February 28, 2011
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
posted by katie at 1:15 PM on February 3, 2011