How to Have a Weight Loss Contest

Beginning and then committing to a weight loss program can be a real challenge. Hosting a weight loss contest with friends, family or co-workers is a fun way to bring together people and create a positive, motivating environment for your weight loss endeavors. Not only does the contest create a support group for individuals seeking motivation, it helps you track your progress throughout the duration of the contest.

Things You'll Need

• Weight loss chart
• Prizes

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Instructions

• 1

  Create a weight loss chart with corresponding rows and columns for the names of all the participants and dates for weekly weigh-ins.

• 2

  Schedule a time, date and location for the first weigh-in. Send out invitations and notices to all participants via email, social networking sites, in person, by phone or by mail. Include the prizes and incentives for the contest on your invitation flyer.

• 3

  Conduct your first meeting and weigh-in. During the meeting, explain the rules and time frame of the contest and make sure everyone is comfortable with displaying their weight on the chart. If you wish, you can take a "before" picture of each participant and have everyone introduce themselves and their goals as an icebreaker. Also during the meeting, schedule future weigh-in times at approximately the same times each week.

• 4

  Continue weigh-ins for the duration of the contest. If you wish, you can arrange weekly prizes for the "biggest loser" of the week. Smaller, weekly incentives for a long weight loss contest can boost motivation and make each weekly weigh-in more interesting. Prizes may include gift cards to healthy restaurants, merchants or services.

• 5

  Calculate the total weight loss for each person at the end of the contest. To be fair, the best way to determine the winner is by percentage weight loss. To do this, subtract the final weight from the starting weight. Divide the difference by the starting weight to calculate the percentage weight loss. For example, if a participant starts out at 160 lbs and her final weight is 150 lbs, her total weight loss is 10 pounds (160 - 150 = 10). Divide the starting weight of 160 by total weight loss of 10 to receive the percentage weight loss, which is 16% (160 / 10 = 16).

• 6

  Award the "biggest loser" with the grand prize and give incentives to the other participants. If you wish, take an "after" picture to compare the results. You can also send everyone a thank you note for participating and attach their personalized "before" and "after" photographs in the note.