The popularity of weight-loss television challenge shows have helped open the lines of communication between friends, family and co-workers about weight. If you and a group of people desire to lose weight together by competing in a weight-loss challenge, set up a fair competition whose rules are clearly defined. The benefits of losing weight together are an increased support system, encouragement to make healthy choices and improved health.
Leader Responsibilities
Designate a leader of the challenge who is responsible for keeping records, calculating percentage of body weight lost and holding the prizes. The leader should not be a participant in the challenge, rather a neutral party. If setting up the challenge in your work place, consider asking the human resources department to run the challenge. The leader will hold weigh-ins, run the meetings and answer specific participants questions. Responsibility for communicating the event's beginning and end date rests with the leader.
Fees and Prizes
Decide if you will charge a fee for the contest. If you do not have an outside sponsor, the total of the contestant's fees can serve as the prize money. Ask for outside sponsorships from local gyms, hospitals and your workplace. Communicate the prizes offered. If possible, award prizes in several categories as incentives for participants who lose weight more slowly. Award first, second and third place prizes. Consider prizes for the member who lost the most pounds, never missed a weigh-in or dropped the most clothing sizes.
Weigh-In Sessions
Set a weekly meeting and weigh-in time. Use the same scale for everyone. The leader of the challenge should be present. If a participant misses the meeting, he can weigh in within 24 hours. If he misses two weigh-ins in a row, he is disqualified. Use the meeting as a time of weight-loss education and healthy eating. Ask participants to talk about challenges, successes and what type of exercise they are doing. Reveal only the percentage of weight lost for each participant rather than weight.
Final Determination
Instead of declaring the person who lost the most weight the winner, follow the example of television shows, and use the percentage of body weight loss as the determining factor. Women and men lose weight at different rates, and a very obese person will lose more pounds while dieting than a person who only needs to lose 20 pounds. The percentage method levels the playing ground for all participants. Set a final weigh-in date where all the participants gather and watch each other weigh. Calculate the final percentage lost and declare the winner. Award the prize immediately, if possible.
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