Kumar ready for next lap

Dr. Rajiv Kumar started ShapeUp Rhode Island a decade ago while he was in medical school at Brown University. During that time, its goal – promoting healthier lifestyles – engaged individuals, groups and employers, especially with its online, statewide fitness challenges. Riding this wave of wellness is a new model for ShapeUp as it heads into 2016. ShapeUp has announced it will opt for more community-engagement-type events – such as hosting wellness events and awarding community grants for wellness initiatives – in lieu of its online fitness challenges.

Is ShapeUp morphing into another level of leadership?

The growth in the number of employers offering customized employee well-being programs – coupled with the meteoric rise of mobile fitness apps and wearable activity trackers – means that there is less of a need for online, statewide fitness programs. We’re adapting to this new reality by finding new, local and grassroots opportunities to promote health and well-being in Rhode Island.

ShapeUp has based participants’ success in reaching wellness goals with others. Why does this work, as opposed to trying to improve one’s wellness independently?

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In many ways, health is a social phenomenon … shaped by the attitudes, beliefs, education and actions of the people around us. If we want to improve our own health … we need to modify our social network. The easiest way to do this is by enlisting our friends, family and colleagues in a joint effort to pursue healthier lifestyles. Not only does this increase our collective chances of staying healthy, it also makes the hard work of behavior change more fun.

What is the biggest misconception about fitness?

The belief that slapping a fitness tracker on your wrist will automatically lead to increased physical activity and improved fitness. If you’re expecting to get a wearable fitness device as a gift this holiday season, make sure you pair it with a mobile app for goal-setting, personalized feedback and social support. •

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