We've received lots of questions about the Discovery Health National Body Challenge, and the following are some answers you might be looking for. Choose a topic:
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Q: What is National Body Challenge?
A: Discovery Health's National Body Challenge is a FREE comprehensive fitness and weight-loss challenge that provides the tools and inspiration — online, on television and beyond — to get in shape, shed extra pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Open to individuals, groups and families, the National Body Challenge offers the flexibility for participants to make the right choices to meet their personal nutrition and fitness goals.
Q: When is National Body Challenge?
A: The Challenge officially begins on January 5, 2008, and continues for eight weeks ending on March 2, 2008. Online registration opens on December 27, 2007 and you will have access to the online tools to begin the Challenge earlier if desired. Participants can register for the National Body Challenge at www.discoveryhealth.com anytime.
Q: Who can join in the National Body Challenge?
A: National Body Challenge is open to all individuals, families and groups over the age of 18. Children under the age of 13 may not sign up individually, but can participate unofficially with parents or legal guardians. Anyone between the ages of 13 and 17 may participate, but must receive consent from their parents/legal guardians to register. Please seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any weight-loss program.
Q: Does it cost anything to join?
A: Not a thing, it's entirely FREE!
Q: Will I really lose weight on the National Body Challenge?
A: The National Body Challenge is designed to help you lose weight if you are currently overweight. If you are currently consuming more calories than the plan recommends, you're probably eating more than your body needs. Following the plan will help you cut back on calories and increase your physical activity, two proven ways to lose weight. Our experts have also found that journaling your meals and physical activity — has a positive affect on your overall results and we have built daily tracking into the Challenge. Individual results will vary. It is recommended to lose around 1 to 2 pounds per week, for safe, healthy, maintainable weight loss. When starting any new healthy eating and exercise regimen, weight loss may occur faster initially, but should slow to a steady, 1 to 2 lbs per week until the desired weight is achieved.
Q: How long will it take for me to reach my weight goals? OR When can I expect to see results?
A: Individual results will vary. For most people who are overweight, losing 1 to 2 pounds per week is a reasonable goal. For additional information, we encourage you to seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider.
Q: Is there a National Body Challenge community support network?
A: While you are in the National Body Challenge, you will find support from an online community of expert trainers, nutritionists and your peers. You can connect personally with these professionals and find support and information from a wide range of people going through the same experiences as you. Participating as a group increases motivation and provides support, both increasing your chances of successfully reaching your goals.
Q: How do I register for a community?
A: Registration for community is separate from your registration for National Body Challenge. You must be at least 13 to participate.
You will be asked to create a unique username, and password for this process. To register for a community, click here. You will be prompted to provide a username, email address and password. Please choose your username cautiously. While Community is intended to provide support, you do need to protect your privacy. Please use a valid email address, as you will be sent an email confirmation for your registration. Simply click on the link we send you via email and log in to your account and you will have access to a wide variety of online support, from forums to blogs, trainers to nutritionists to people just like you.
Q: I am already registered for Community. Why am I being asked to register again?
A: Registration for community is FREE and separate from your registration for National Body Challenge. You will be asked to provide an email and password, and we recommend using the same email address as you did for the National Body Challenge. This will make it easier for you to remember, and participate often.
Q: Can I participate with friends or family?
A: We encourage group participation through our community support network. Participating as a group increases motivation and provides support.
Taking the National Body Challenge, you can find people just like you, people who have great intentions, but need the tools and resources to change their life for the better. Through the Community, you will find support from expert trainers, nutritionists and your peers.
Q: I want my whole family to participate. Will there be information geared towards both adults and children?
A: The core National Body Challenge tools were developed by experts and designed to work with adult metabolism. Parents looking to participate with their kids should first consult a pediatrician. The website does included expert nutrition and fitness information that can be used by the whole family. The National Body Challenge community will feature a family fitness focused trainer, Jonathan Ross. Throughout the website there are great ideas for making family meals healthier and group activities more active. Finally, The National Body Challenge community will offer additional support for parents and educators.
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Q: How can I participate in the National Body Challenge?
A: Visit www.discoveryhealth.com to register FREE for the National Body Challenge. Once registered, participants will assess their goals and create a customized plan to suit their needs. Participants can choose to weigh in online OR schedule an appointment online to weigh in at one of four mall celebration events across the country on January 5 and 6. Appointments are available on a first come, first serve basis and can only be made at www.discoveryhealth.com.
There are four mall kick-off celebration events on January 5 and6 located in Alderwood Mall, Seattle, WA; Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL; Columbia Mall, Columbia, MD; and Short Hills Mall, Short Hills, NJ.
Q: What will I receive once I register to participate in the National Body Challenge?
A: All registered National Body Challenge participants will receive FREE access to our online customized meal plan with over 1,000 kitchen tested nutritionist approved recipes, a personalized weight and activity tracker, extensive information from doctors and health & fitness experts, a fitness plan to meet your needs from FitTV trainer Gilad, eight weeks of free audio personal training from Podfitness, a weekly information packed e-newsletter and much more.
Q: Can I participate in National Body Challenge while nursing or pregnant?
A: As with any diet and fitness plan, we recommend that you seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider. The National Body Challenge website does offer information, tips and tools that are applicable and or adaptable to most every adult. There is also information specific to those who are pregnant or nursing while working to improve their overall health.
Q: Can I participate if I am physically disabled or have a medical condition?
A: As with any diet and fitness plan, we recommend that you seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider. The National Body Challenge website does offer information, tips and tools that are applicable and or adaptable to most every adult. There is also information specific to those who suffer from arthritis, diabetes, and other common medical conditions.
Q: Can residents outside of the U.S. participate in the Challenge?
A: The National Body Challenge is designed for U.S. adult residents of the age 18 and older (13 and up with parent/guardian permission) . We do encourage all adult individuals to go online to www.discoveryhealth.com to explore Discovery Health resources on health and fitness. Unfortunately, we are not able to expand National Body Challenge registration to residents outside of the U.S. due to various international rules and regulations.
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Q: Where are the kick-off celebration events?
A: There are four mall kick-off celebration events on January 5 and 6 located in Alderwood Mall, Seattle, WA; Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL; Columbia Mall, Columbia, MD; and Short Hills Mall, Short Hills, NJ.
Q: What can I expect by participating at a Mall Center Court Event?
A: The National Body Challenge events help you take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle with interactive activities and high-energy demonstrations. You can not only step on a scale and have your waist and hips measured, there's the opportunity to get a body fat analysis, talk with a nutritionist, have a milk mustache photo taken and send your fitness promise to family and friends via an electronic postcard. You can watch Bally Total Fitness® performers motivate you to get moving! You will also receive special savings from discoverystore.com, information and goodies from our sponsors (while supplies last) and test your health and fitness knowledge in our many health and fitness trivia contests for a chance to win prizes, and much more! Plus, bring friends and family along with you or meet up with some other folks participating in the Challenge, to offer each other additional support throughout the 8-weeks.
Q: Will I still receive all benefits if I am unable to attend or weigh-in at a mall kick-off celebration event?
A: Whether weighing in at a kick-off celebration event or online, as a registered National Body Challenge participant, you will receive. FREE access to our online customized meal plan with over 1,000 kitchen tested nutritionist approved recipes, a personalized weight and activity tracker, extensive information from doctors and health & fitness experts, a fitness plan to meet your needs from FitTV trainer Gilad, eight weeks of free audio personal training from Podfitness, a weekly information packed e-newsletter and much more.
We encourage participants to log onto www.discoveryhealth.com regularly to access fitness tips and video, expert advice and our customizable diet and fitness tool — all designed to make the Challenge more fun, and improve your chances of overall success.
Q: Do you need to make an appointment in order to participate in the Mall Center Court?
A: We encourage all participants to schedule an appointment online. By making an appointment, we can ensure enough time for you to step on a scale and have your starting measurements taken, with minimal wait time. If you are unable to make an appointment and attend a weigh-in event, we will do our best to accommodate you; however, we cannot guarantee that you will be weighed in.
If you are unable to make an appointment to weigh-in or attend an event at a participating mall kick-off celebration event, you can weigh-in at discoveryhealth.com and take advantage of many of the same benefits enjoyed by those who attend a weigh in event, including the free 8-week Membership to Bally Total Fitness®*, eight weeks of free audio personal training from Podfitness and free online diet and fitness resources. Online registration will remain open throughout the Challenge. Log onto www.discoveryhealth.com to register.
*Certain terms and conditions may apply. Please see bottom of page for more details.
We encourage participants to log onto www.discoveryhealth.com to access fitness tips and video, expert information and our customizable diet and fitness tool.
Q: What is the deadline to make a weigh in appointment?
A: You have until Friday, January 4 at Noon (ET) to schedule or change an appointment online to weigh in at one of the celebration events on January 5 or 6.
Q: Why do participants have to make an appointment to weigh-in at a mall kick-off celebration event?
A: The appointment system is designed to decrease waiting lines to allow you to schedule a time that is convenient to you.
Q: Can I weigh in at a celebration event if I'm disabled?
A: The National Body Challenge is open to individuals looking to adopt a healthier way of living. For interested disabled participants, we ask that you bring a friend or family member to assist in the weighing in process, as the event staff is not able to physically assist anyone weighing in.
Q: What happens if the event I registered for is cancelled due to bad weather?
A: Events will be cancelled only if the hosting mall closes due to very bad weather.
We encourage participants to log onto www.discoveryhealth.com to access fitness tips and video, expert advice and our customizable diet and fitness tool.
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Q: What is the National Body Challenge television special?
A: On television, Discovery Health will feature a National Body Challenge Week (January 7 -11, M-F at 8 PM ET/PT.) with great programming geared towards helping you adopt a healthier lifestyle. This year, Discovery Health's National Body Challenge will be seeing double! In a week-long series Monday — Thursday, four sets of identical — and overweight — twins take on their personal battles of the bulge in the quest for an all-new, healthier way of living. On Friday, Dr. Pamela Peeke hosts Fit to Live, a show that tests individuals' endurance, strength and agility abilities in crisis situations. Can they take on a whole new approach to fitness, are they Fit to Live?
Q: How can I participate in the National Body Challenge beyond a mall event or online at www.discoveryhealth.com?
A: Discovery Health will have daily programming for our National Body Challenge participants. Tune in daily at 7 AM ET/PT to Total Body Sculpt with Gilad from fitness expert and personal trainer Gilad Janklowicz — to start your day with an invigorating exercise workout. Watch our daily weight loss themed hour from 12-1 PM ET/PT to get inspired as we follow a group of remarkable individuals on their respective journeys toward weight loss and healthy living. At 4 PM ET/PT, watch our health-conscious chefs cook up fun and add versatility to your meal plan. In addition, check this website, for the many relevant healthy lifestyle and fitness programs found on Discovery Health's sister network, FitTV.
For those with access to video on demand (VOD) services from your cable provider, there is extensive inspirational, motivational and informational programs and tips focused on nutrition, weight loss and exercise.
You can enjoy eight weeks of FREE audio personal training on your personal mp3 player courtesy of our partner Podfitness.
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Q: How much weight will I lose on the meal plan?
A: The National Body Challenge meal plan is designed to help you lose weight if you are currently overweight. For most people, losing 1 to 2 pounds per week is a safe, healthy goal. When starting any new healthy eating and exercise regimen, weight loss may occur faster initially, but should slow to a steady, 1 to 2 lbs per week until the desired weight is achieved.
Q: What is the meal plan based on?
A: The meal plan is based on the most recent 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. These guidelines were determined by using the best scientifically based studies currently available. The meal plan focus is on making healthy choices, daily caloric intake, and getting the most nutrition out of the calories you consume.
The National Body Challenge Meal Plan and its recipes are developed by our content partner, EatingWell and their EatingWell Test Kitchen, overseen by Registered Dietician staff. Note: If you have special needs, food allergies, or a chronic illness, such as celiac disease, it is recommended to follow the advice of your personal physician and registered dietitian. The meal plan screens can be printed and shown to your physician or dietitian to determine if the plan would work in your situation.
Q: Can I follow the meal plan in conjunction with Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig or other diet plans?
A: This plan is designed to be a lifelong nutrition plan. If you are attempting to lose weight and are currently following another diet plan that you have had success with, then you should stick with the current plan. Research suggests that the biggest determinant of weight loss is not a specific diet, per se, but the adherence to a single plan. The National Body Challenge menus can be used to give you different ideas for meals or snacks; increasing the variety of your diet can help you obtain a myriad of nutrients that could otherwise not be obtained when limiting your food choices.
Q: Can I follow the meal plan if I have special dietary needs or health concerns?
A: Discovery Health also offers Heart Healthy and Diabetes-Friendly Meal Plans, following recommendations and guidelines from both the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. It is recommended to follow the advice of your personal physician and registered dietitian if you have special needs, food allergies, or a chronic illness, such as celiac disease. The meal plans can be printed and shown to your physician or dietitian to determine if the plan would work in your situation.
Q: Can my entire family follow the meal plan?
A: Establishing and maintaining healthy eating habits is important for any family. Though our meal plan was designed for adults and children from eight years and older, there are plenty of "kid-friendly" recipes in our collection. Our recipes are also created in such a way to make sensible adjustments (substituting steamed carrots for steamed broccoli, for example) easy. With over 1,000 recipes, you are sure to find meals that to satisfy even the hardest to please.
Q: What if I find that I only like five or six of the meal choices in the meal plan? Can I still lose weight if I just stick to those choices?
A: Research suggests that individuals fall into a certain pattern of dietary habits and typically eat similar foods on a regular basis. Moreover, studies have suggested that weight loss is often better when less variety is presented to an individual. Try to consume different colored fruits and vegetables to correspond to each of the meals you like; varying the veggies you eat is a great way to get a wide variety of important nutrients. For this year's Challenge, we offer 1,000 recipes online at www.discoveryhealth.com!
Q: How is this plan different from other diet plans?
A: This plan is based on real foods and common foods. It is not a diet per se, but rather an overall healthy lifestyle plan. It is based on the most recent dietary guidelines to incorporate a variety of healthy whole foods.
Q: If I skip meals, is it OK to fill in with the snacks offered on the plan?
A: It is OK as long as you are meeting your caloric requirements and the snack foods being selected are fruits, vegetables, and other high fiber, quality foods. It is not encouraged to meet your caloric requirements by eating chips, candies, etc.
Q: Can I change my meal plan?
A: Certainly! The meal plans are customizable to adjust to your changing schedules and desires. All of the over 1,000 recipes in the Challenge contain nutritional information to help you change meals and keep within your recommendations and health goals.
Q: Is there anything in the National Body Challenge for those of us who don't cook?
A: We recognize that many of our Challengers are, for varying reasons, unable to prepare your own meals on a daily basis. That's why we've included information and tips about eating out, grocery shopping, even fast food dining. The fact that you do not cook should not stop you from committing to healthier eating habits and we encourage you to register FREE at www.discoveryhealth.com for these resources.
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Q: What is the National Body Challenge Fitness Plan?
A: Our National Body Challenge Fitness Plan was custom designed by Gilad Janklowicz, National Body Challenge's Senior Workout expert and FitTV's fitness expert. With workouts for both beginning and intermediate exercisers, each fitness plan includes a series of 13 "Express Workouts," 10 minutes or less, targeting different muscle groups. There are warm-up and cool-down routines to help you get the most out of the plan.
Gilad has included strengthening and fat-burning exercises to help you improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and lose fat. You can follow along with Gilad by watching our exclusive online videos, or you can print out text versions and do the workouts where and when it is most convenient. Gilad will also be featured in a daily exercise show Total Body Sculpt with Gilad on the Discovery Health Channel every morning at 7 AM ET/PT.
For those with access to video on demand (VOD) services from select cable providers, you will find Gilad's workouts and other inspirational, motivational and informational programs and tips focused on nutrition, weight loss and exercise.
Remember to consult your personal physician before starting any fitness program.
Q: Who is Gilad?
A: Gilad Janklowicz is a renowned personal trainer, fitness advisor and FitTV fitness expert with many years' experience developing fun and healthy fitness plans for people at all fitness levels. Our special National Body Challenge Fitness Plan was custom designed by Gilad for beginning and intermediate exercisers. You can follow along with Gilad by watching our exclusive videos, available only to National Body Challenge registrants at Discovery Health.com, or you can print out text versions and do the workouts where and when it is most convenient. Gilad will also be featured in a daily exercise show, Total Body Sculpt with Gilad, on Discovery Health every morning at 7 AM ET/PT. You may also find Gilad on demand for select cable providers. Remember to consult your personal physician before starting any fitness program.
Q: What if I don't want to follow the National Body Challenge Fitness Plan?
A: In addition to the fitness plan, you can keep track of your own activities — like walking the dog, cycling, jogging — by using our Fitness Tracker. This will help you see how you are building strength and burning calories to meet your health and fitness goals. We have also partnered with several national fitness and wellness companies to provide special offers available exclusively for National Body Challenge registrants. For more information on partners, please visit our Partner Page.
Q: Who is Eating Well and what is their relationship with the National Body Challenge?
A: Eating Well Media Group is an award-winning national publishing company dedicated to making healthy eating fun and easy through their books, magazine and website. Eating Well's staff of board-certified nutritionists has developed healthy meal plans you can follow while you participate in the National Body Challenge. For more information about Eating Well Media Group and their publications, visit our Partner Page.
Q: Who is Podfitness and what is their relationship with the National Body Challenge?
A: As part of the National Body Challenge, we are offering 8 weeks of FREE audio personal training from Podfitness. You'll receive customized audio workouts designed just for you by top Podfitness trainers that you can download to your MP3 player and take with you to your Ballysm club to enhance gym workout or use at home or anywhere your workout takes you. For more information about Podfitness, visit our Partner Page.
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Q: I took the National Body Challenge last year. Will I need to re-register?
A: You will need to re-register for the 2008 National Body Challenge. You'll log in using your existing username and password, then change your information. We will have some of your information already filled in to make it faster, and you will be able to take advantage of the new assessment, recipes and tracking system. We will give you the opportunity to update any information, re-evaluate your preferences and goals.
If you participated in the National Body Challenge last year, but cannot remember or locate your log-in information, we recommend starting anew and creating a new registration account.
Q: If I am still participating in the previous National Body Challenge, will I be able to continue in the 2008 version?
A: You will need to re-register for the 2008 National Body Challenge. We will have some of your information already filled in to make it faster, and you will be able to take advantage of the new assessment, recipes and tracking system. You'll simply start with your current weight and work from there.
General | Registration/Participation | Events | The Television Special | Meal Plan | Meal Plan and Fitness Plan | Past Participants | Why Eight Weeks?
Why eight weeks??
As it turns out, in science we study people at in four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, 10 weeks and 12 weeks. There are critical times in a person’s transformation, where they say to themselves, “What can I accomplish in a reasonable time to commit to a lifelong journey?”
We look at what it takes a person to psychological integrate new habits, to become committed to it. Eight weeks does the trick.
Four weeks is the honeymoon. It’s like you’re running a 5K (3.1 miles) and all the sudden, around mile two, people are pooping out. The people who can push through that second mile, to get to the third, those people finish the race.
People who push through that initial four-week period are the ones who succeed. After that four-week timeframe, we learn who is resilient, who is learning the rules and tools to adapt and adjust. The excuses are no longer a big deal. So what if the treadmill blows up – I’ll walk outdoors. I’ll join a gym – I’ll adapt. People have reserve in four weeks that they can power through it. But after that four weeks, they get tired, and they are vulnerable to go back to old habits.
Eight weeks builds foundations.
Let’s say you’ve watched the scale move somewhat, maybe not a lot, but some. Maybe you’ve seen some changes. Let me tell you what you’ve really done. If you’ve taken that 30-minute walk every day, or at least 5 times a week, you’ve reduced your heart disease risk by 50 percent. You’ve reduced your cancer risk (breast cancer for women, prostate for men) by 50 percent, all by simply getting up and moving more.
Why restart?
So – hey you’ve just done eight weeks – You’ve got to be feeling good. In every single area of your life - it’s about mind, muscle and mouth - you can see some improvement. Don’t you dare say – woulda, coulda, shoulda… Stop and congratulate yourself, and say:
“Look what I was able to pull off. I am beginning to understand this is my life. This is a part of my life. I want to continue. I want to do it smarter. I want to live smart. I want to live long and smart. I’m on a roll – I’m changing my expectations for fitness. If I made these changes, whether it’s pounds, inches, reducing disease risk, calmer moods, or energy levels… how about some more of that?!!!"