Weight loss challenges can be a fun and motivating way to lose weight. If you want to put together a weight loss challenge, try some of the following to make it a success:
Get a group together. You need to have at least 3 people in order to make the weight loss challenge fun and interesting. A good group amount would be 10 people. This way people can pair up to help each other. With too few or too many people you can make it too easy for the participants to quit.
A Good Prize
While losing weight is a great prize, we never fully realize that until we get there. The best way to motivate everyone is to brainstorm a prize everyone would like to win. Ideas can include money, gifts, vacations, etc. Split the cost of the prize between everyone in the challenge, then the winner takes all.
Use Weight Loss Percentages
The best way to see who has won is to go by weight loss percentages. In the beginning you should all weigh in on the same scale, at the same time, with the same kind of clothing. At the end of the competition you should do the same thing and then figure out the weight percentages of loss for each person. Whoever has the highest percentage loss will win. Here is an example:
At the beginning of the challenge, Jen weighs 180, Pat weighs 225, and Tom weighs 250. At the end of the challenge Jen weighs 140, Pat weighs 190, and Tom weighs 200.
Here is the formula to use to see who wins:
Jen 140/180=.777
Pat 190/225=.844
Tom 200/250=.8
This means Jen weighs 77% of what she used to, therefore she lost 23%. (100-77=23)
Pat lost 16% (100-84=16)
Tom lost 20% (100-80=20)
As you can see Jen won with the biggest percentage of weight loss.
The last tip I would give you about doing your own weight loss challenge is to set a time limit on the challenge. A few weeks would be too short of a time to make a real difference in your weight, and you also won't receive all of the benefits of making the lifestyle changes that quickly. I would recommend you do 2-3 months. This will give you plenty of time to lose weight, but it won't get too boring for any of the participants.
There are some tools you can use on the Internet to keep your group in contact, show off your results so far and share pictures. Have fun in your challenge, it can be the most motivating thing you do to lose weight, and hopefully your group will stay in contact afterwards to continue helping each other.
