$500 Weight-Loss Challenge

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Your weight indicates your health
photo credit: sylvar
As I have done terrible so far this year on my weight-loss goal I have decided to try something different. My original weight-loss goal for this year was to lose 30 pounds. I’ve gained weight since setting that goal so I now need to lose 40 pounds and am aiming for a weight of 180 pounds.

In order to meet this goal I’m asking you, my readers, to hold me accountable. I need some extra motivation and since I am money motivated I’ve decided that if I don’t meet this goal I will give $500 to my readers. The prospect of losing $500 should motivate me to lose weight. I’m not sure how I will distribute the $500 but it will go to readers of this blog. You will somewhat have to take my word for whether I meet my goal. I will post before and after pictures as a form of proof though. If I haven’t posted by the end of December that I’ve met my goal contact me and remind me of this challenge. To be eligible to receive part of the $500 you need to leave a comment on this post. Thanks.

***I have turned off the comments and closed the challenge to new entrants. Thanks to everyone who entered for all the support and encouragement. I will keep you updated on my progress.

37 thoughts on “$500 Weight-Loss Challenge”

  1. Oh, boy, I know exactly were you’re coming from. But don’t be too hard on yourself, something about going to school encourages weight gain. Studying and eating just seem made for each other.

  3. I hope that you can manage to meet your goal and would be happy to help hold you accountable if you want. Feel free to drop me a line (contact info) on my site if you want some additional encouragement.

    Also – I have noticed that I have gained weight since I started exercising but have slimmed down over all. So my body looks better but I weigh a little more. I feel better too though so I won’t complain too much.

  6. Money is a good motivator. I too need to lose weight. The best thing I’ve done in the past was get a couple of work buddies together and we created a money pot. We each put in $5 a week, and at the end of 12 weeks, whichever person had lost the most weight got 75% of the pot. The person who lost the second most got the remaining 25% of the pot. This worked well for me – I won first place! Of course, it’s been a few years since I did that, so I need to start a new one! Good luck!

  7. Sounds like a good goal to me. I was at almost 190 at a point in my life, but now I’m closer to 175. Just eat right and exercise, that’s all it takes.

  9. I had the same goal this year and I’m 4 lbs away from my goal. If you want advice, keep reading. If you’re not interested, move ahead to the next comment.

    You absolutely have to watch what you eat and exercise. It’s the only way that it will work long-term. If I put something in my mouth, I record it and how many calories it cost me. I also exercise, mostly running, 3-5 times a week. Think of it like a budget. You get 1500 calories. When you eat you’re spending your calories, when you exercise you’re earning more.

    I highly recommend you check out the daily plate at livestrong.com. It might also help if you set some other goal that complements the weight loss, like running a 10k.

  10. I believe you can do it. If nothing else, the thought of losing so much money at one time will make you work harder. I have to lose weight too, and its not easy, but so rewarding. Best of luck to you!

  11. Yes! I need to lose weight too and I would like $500! Why is it that I can sit on the couch and watch The Biggest Loser while eating. I like that you’re holding yourself accountable.

  13. This a funny challenge because now I’m sort of routing for you not to make your goal so I can win some money! 🙂 Ha ha, just kidding. Good luck with your goal to lose 40 pounds. This is a great idea and I think you’ll lose the weight.

  14. Everyone- Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

    Larry- The Daily Plate is a good site and I’ve used it in the past. It worked great as long as I actually used it.

  20. Drink a LOT of water and give yourself one cheat day a week. Exercise four times a day, 10 minutes a day, and trust me, you’ll lose soooo much weight.

  21. I am routing for you. I either need to lose 10 pounds or buy bigger clothes. That should be a no-brainer for a frugal person so why is it still so hard?

  23. You can do it! In fact, it won’t be *doing* it that will be hard, what’s hard is going to be *staying* that way once you’re there! One of the fastest ways to lose weight your body doesn’t use is to just cut out as much sugar as you can. That includes cheap processed foods like bread that immediately break down into glucose. It’s a hard process, so do it gradually so you don’t feel the need to “bounce back” once you’re at your ideal weight.

  25. Good luck dude. The potential loss of money might be able to convince you to put down that donut etc when it just adding to your weight seems too abstract or unimportant.

  27. Good luck! Keep focused. I’m trying to lose some weight too; it’s hard but we can do it 🙂

  28. The best advise I can give you is something which worked for me.

    1) Run outside. It’s the best time of the year, run outside, get some fresh air, Vitamin D. Also, you will be burning more calories by running outside than on the tread mill. Get involved in some fun sport. I play raquet ball, I burn lot of calories.

    2) Don’t starve.
    You can lose wait by starving, but after you lose all the weight you wanted. And you start eating again, you will gain all the weight back.

    So, work hard, play hard, but don’t starve.

  29. My wife lost 40 pounds and has kept it off for 8 years by writing down whatever she eats. She’s convinced that this accountability, rather than any willpower, is the secret to her success. Putting every misstep down on paper helps you to not repeat the behavior.

  30. Start small I really think that is the key I lost 20 lbs passing on the coca cola. Who would have thought I drank enough coke to make that much of a diffrence.

  32. Good luck, but sure wouldn’t mind if you failed… at least I’m willing to admit it. 🙂

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