How to Win Your Local Biggest Loser Challenge

The Biggest Loser is a television hit, and it seems that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. Schools, businesses, and gyms are all starting up their own biggest loser contests, and large numbers of people are joining, lured in by thoughts of slimmer waist lines and big bucks. Usually these contests involve everyone contributing a small amount of money each week, and then at the end of the contest, whoever has lost the most weight gets the cash. Sometimes the cash goes to the one who loses the most pounds, sometimes it goes to the one who loses the highest percentage of their body weight, and sometimes it is split 50/50. How ever your local contest works there are things you can do to increase your chance of winning and bringing home the big prize.

First of all, before you join, consider if you really have a chance to win. If you only have a little weight to lose, chances are those with heavier bodies are going to have an advantage over you. On the other hand, if the contest looks at percentage of weight only, those who are really heavy will have a tough time competing with their not quite as heavy opponents. (A three hundred pound person will have to lose 30 pounds for a ten percent loss, while a hundred and fifty pound person will only have to lose 15 pounds.) Men have a higher percentage muscle mass than women and typically lose weight faster, especially at the beginning of a weight loss diet. If there are both males and females competing, females will be at a disadvantage. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t compete, but if you want to increase your chances of winning, it is good to know your strengths and weaknesses at the beginning.

Next, look at your weight loss history. If you have been losing weight already, you are going to be at a disadvantage compared to those just starting their weight loss. The first week of a low calorie diet usually results in a large loss of water weight, sometimes ten or more pounds. Even if you keep up a steady loss, you are going to have a hard time catching up! Have you been successful at losing weight in the past? Do you have some idea of what works for you? Are you healthy enough to exercise, and do you have an idea of how many calories various foods have? Knowledge is an important part of weight loss. Use your computer to look up the latest research on weight loss. What techniques have a proven track record? What techniques sound like they will work for you?

If you have decided that you have a chance at winning, and you have done some basic research on weight loss techniques, sit down and write out a weight loss plan. If you belong to a gym or see a nutritionist, ask your trainer or dietician for advice. There is no secret to weight loss. Basically if you cut calories and exercise more, you are going to lose weight. The surest way to make sure you lose weight is to count calories and follow a regular exercise plan. There are many free programs on the internet that can help your both keep track of the food you eat and the exercise you do.

After you have your plan in place, think about motivation. What motivation techniques will help you stay on track? Try putting a picture of money on your refrigerator to remind yourself of what you hope to win. It can be helpful to hang an article of clothing that is too small in your bedroom where you can see it everyday. Think about how good you will look when you fit into it. Before you go to bed at night, meditate on the pounds melting off, and the cash filling your pockets. When you are tempted to eat, go for a walk. Keep plenty of low calorie snacks on hand at all times so that always have something to snack on when you are offered something off your plan.

When it seems like you can’t stay on plan any longer, remind yourself that it is only 6 weeks or 10 weeks or 14 weeks (depending on the particular contest.) Mark the last weigh in on your calendar with a big red star. Of course, you don’t want to put on weight when it is over but knowing that there is a concrete end to the initial phase of your weight loss program will be a great incentive to not cheat.

If you develop a plan and stick with it, you have a good chance of winning your local biggest loser challenge. Even six weeks is a long time for most people to stay with a diet and exercise plan. Use your determination and desire to succeed to push you on when others falter, and you’ll come home with the prize!

Reference:

• www.sparkpeople.com/