Q: What counts as exercise?

A: Anything that speeds up your heart rate and breathing.  The rule here is that you want to be able to carry on a conversation but you shouldn’t be able to effectively sing a song.

Q: What if I exercise more than 20 minutes? Do I get bonus points?

A: No. You get the pride of accomplishment! You get bragging rights! You probably get quicker weightloss! But you don’t get bonus points, because the game has to maintain a level playing field. You have time to exercise for more than 20 minutes. Some of your teammates and opponents may not, and we want them to have equal point-earning opportunities.

Q: What if I miss a day of exercise? Can I make it up by exercising more the next day?

A: You can make it up to your body by exercising more the next day and if you have the time and energy you absolutely should. But you can’t make up the points. Those are gone forever.

Q: Whhhhhhyyyyyyy can’t I make up the points???

A: Because in case you haven’t noticed, this game is all about implementing healthy habits.  We are trying to get you into the HABIT of exercising every day. So stop whining, it doesn’t burn nearly as many calories as you think (unless you are actually tantruming and stomping your feet on the floor, in which case, have at it!)

Q: What if I’m sick? Should I still exercise?

A: You have to listen to your body.  Sometimes a little walking to get your blood moving or some gentle stretching will make you feel better when you’re sick.  And when you’re sick – REALLY SICK – we allow stretching and slow walking to count as exercise (you need not move fast enough to speed up your breathing.) But sometimes, you really just want to stay in bed. If your body is saying ‘Hell, no, I’m not moving!’ Listen to it. You will lose your exercise points for the day but you will get healthier faster and you will be able to exercise effectively sooner if you get the rest you need.

Q: Wait. I LOSE my points if I’m too sick to exercise?? That seems totally unfair.

A: I know. But our experience here it that it generally balances out. (ie: someone on the opposing team gets sick too. Not that you should wish for that. Cause that would be bad karma.)  And if we had a “sick rule” exception, it would be too easy to abuse.  Still, if you can get out of bed and just stretch gently, that earns you full points when you’re sick and may actually make you feel better. A little blood flow goes a long way.

Q: I’m training for a marathon and running several miles a day. Why should my wife get equal points for just walking around the neighborhood?

A: Be fair. Your wife is walking FAST around the neighborhood. Her heart rate is up, her breathing is labored (and if it’s not, she should speed up.)  And she gets equal points because she has no time to train for a marathon, because she’s too busy taking care of you, you selfish pr*ck.