A weight loss challenge promotes a healthier staff and provides support for those who want to shed pounds. The organization of the weight loss challenge plays a role in how effective and enjoyable it is for the participants. Your company's policies will affect the setup of the challenge in some situations. Take time to sort out all the details of the contest before you recruit participants or start counting the pounds lost.
Step 1
Contact the human resources department or your supervisor to identify any company policies that affect the weight loss challenge. Work with these departments to create a weight loss program that will create a positive experience without putting the company in any legal trouble.
Step 2
Write a list of participation guidelines and rules. Include eligibility requirements and the tasks participants need to complete to stay in the competition. Determine how you will track weight loss and share the results each week.
Step 3
Schedule the weight loss competition, identifying the beginning and ending dates. Determine the dates for weigh-ins with one weigh-in each week.
Step 4
Gather prizes for the competition, both for weekly prizes and an overall grand prize. Ask the company, its vendors and local health-related businesses for prize donations, such as gift cards or fitness gear. Another option is to ask each participant to pay a fee to join the competition with the money going to the winner at the end.
Step 5
Invite all employees to participate in the weight loss challenge, not just the people who you feel the need to lose weight. This eliminates hurt feelings and potential complaints to management. Promote the challenge through email and bulletin board postings if your company will allow it.
Step 6
Meet as a group on the first day of the challenge for the initial weigh-in. Assign one person to handle the weigh-ins discretely. Discuss options for supporting one another through the competition.
Step 7
Schedule regular healthy lunches, group walks during breaks and other forms of support throughout the competition. Invite local health professionals to speak to the participants for advice on losing weight in a healthy way.
Step 8
Meet each week for the weigh-in to record the losses each week. Give the participants a chance to share their struggles and the things that are working for them to lose weight. On the last day of the competition, announce the overall winner and award the final prize.
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