Compete with your co-workers to see who can lose the most weight.
The television program "The Biggest Loser" has inspired millions of people to embark on their own weight loss journeys. The show pits contestants against each other to see who can lose the most weight in a designated period of time; the player who loses the most weight wins. Because competition tends to be a powerful motivator, especially when it comes to weight loss, you can easily translate the "Biggest Loser" model into a workplace wellness contest. Set up a friendly competition and have fun while you promote a healthy lifestyle.
Instructions
1. Establish a time period for the competition. The most effective weight loss competitions run between four and eight weeks; any shorter, and participants are not likely to see results, any longer and they will lose interest.
2. Set a start date for the competition. Starting the competition right after the holidays is likely to increase participation, as many people are anxious to work on their New Year's resolutions. A springtime competition before summer swimsuit season is another good time to start.
3. Develop guidelines for the competition. Because all of the participants are starting at different weights, fitness levels and weight loss goals, base the contest on an overall percentage of weight lost instead of pounds lost. Decide whether participants will compete on an individual or team basis.
4. Charge an entry fee. In some contests, participants pay an entry fee and the winning individual or team wins the proceeds. Another option is to use the entry fees to purchase prizes. Participants usually try harder if they pay into a contest and are working toward a reward.
5. Advertise the competition for at least a week before it starts. Create a flier to hang in common areas, list the contest in the company newsletter and use the office e-mail system to promote the contest.
6. Establish a privacy policy for the competition. Designate one person to record each weigh-in and keep track of the competition. Reassure participants that individual weights will not be made public.
7. Arrange an area where participants can weigh in. Set up a digital scale in a secluded area, such as an unused cubicle. Weigh each participant at the start of the competition to get a starting point.
8. Set a weekly weigh-in day and time. Friday mornings are a good time to do weigh-ins, as most people are in the office and have not spent the weekend overindulging. Calculate the percentage of weight loss after each weigh-in so participants know how they are doing throughout the contest.
9. Calculate the weight loss at the end of the competition period. If participants are working as a team, add up the total pounds lost, divide that number by the total starting weight of the team and multiply by 100 to calculate the percentage of weight lost.
Tags: weight loss, Biggest Loser, most weight, percentage weight, each weigh-in, good time, individual team