Virtual health coach helps users get fit

January is almost over, and it’s that time when New Year’s resolutions get lost in the stack of to-do lists.

To avoid this, five IU teams are battling it out in a six-week weight loss challenge, using Vive’s virtual health coach. 

Vive is an online tool that integrates daily health goals into busy schedules by tracking progress as well as sending reminders and tips directly to your phone or e-mail.

Faculty, staff and students have teams from the schools of Informatics and Computing, Optometry and Public and Environmental Affairs, as well from the Medical Sciences program and a campus-wide group.

So far, 63 participants have signed up, but the challenge is still open and is expected to grow.

The challenge, which began Monday and runs to March 5, can be tracked on vivecoach.com, which has a message wall, list of challenge members and graphs showing how many pounds each team has lost.

“A lot of us signed up for the camaraderie,” Associate Professor of Anatomy Dr. Valerie O’Loughlin said. “It’s a lot easier to lose weight with a group and when you have a goal in mind.”

While the challenge has a focus on weight loss, many participants said they are looking for an overall healthy lifestyle. Vive allows participants to track what is important, whether that is doing yoga, flossing daily, limiting caffeine, gossiping less or praying.

“For me, it’s more about fitness,” said School of Informatics Human Resources Manager Christi Pike. “I’m also trying to eat more organic, drink more water and be more aware.”

Some of the schools have activities in place to help promote healthy activity. The School of Informatics has set up yoga twice a week in the building, and Medical Sciences has a group that does eight-minute abs together every morning.

“We will be giving all the participants some common sense tips to follow to help them make wiser dietary choices, steering them towards healthier options and away from the usual pitfalls,” said John Tweedie, director of administration and finance for the School of Informatics and a chairman of the wellness committee. 

Tracking their progress online and competing against other schools motivates many of the participants.

“I find myself logging on a couple times a day to see the rankings,” Tweedie said.

Many participants said they are eager to use this experience to meet new people.
Administrative Assistant Tara Holbrook is new to the School of Informatics and said she is thankful for programs such as this, where staff, faculty and students can work together as a team.

Pike also enjoys the team aspect.

“It builds a relationship between staff and gives us a common interest,” she said.
One of the overall goals of the challenge is to have a long-term benefit.

“We hope that the participants will feel and see the benefits of healthier eating and exercise and incorporate these practices into their nutritional habits long after the challenge is over,” Tweedie said.

O’Loughlin agreed and said she hopes the challenge has long term effects.

“Whether or not we lose weight, we’re becoming more active and working as a team,” she said.