Between an injury and the typical holiday madness, I haven’t worked out in close to a month. Amazing how easy it is to fall out of the routine, how easy it is to fill the time with something else. But those goals I mentioned, especially the fitness ones, aren’t going to happen simply by wishing for them. So I dragged myself back to Spinning this morning, and watched as my usually reliable heart rate skyrocketed 15-20 beats faster than usual. Damn. Time to claw my way back onto that wagon, get back into regular exercise, and get my food under control so I can start working towards my goals.
With that in mind, I’ve decided to start up a contest, open to anyone who wants to join. I find a bit of competition, along with a real prize on the line, can be the extra incentive I need to get going. Here’s how it’s going to work:
TIME: The competition will begin next Monday, January 16. It will run for 8 weeks, ending on Monday, March 12. Entry fee (all money will go into the “pot” and be distributed to winners at the end) is $10/person, via Paypal.
STAKES: We will be competing primarily with weight loss, Biggest Loser-style. The person who loses the greatest percentage of weight after eight weeks is the first-place winner, and will win 75% of the money that we gathered from each participant. Of the remaining competitors, the person with the most exercise recorded will win the remaining 25% of the money. So even if you lose weight slowly, or don’t have nearly as much to lose from a percentage-standpoint, you can still be a winner. Invite your friends! The more people we have, the bigger the prize!
RULES:
- To be entered in the competition, you must email me your starting weight (just between you and me, I PROMISE) and send $10 via Paypal by next Monday morning, January 16. Email and paypal: goddessinprogress (dot) blog (at) gmail (dot) com
- To remain in the competition and be considered for the prizes, you must email me by Monday morning of every week with your weigh-in and amount of exercise. If you miss more than one check-in, you will be dropped. I will remind you, but I will not pester you.
- Weight should be reported in pounds (out to one decimal point, as in “185.4,” if you like). You can weigh-in any day of the week that works for you, but you will only report to me once per week, no later than Monday morning.
- Exercise should be reported in minutes (as in “150 minutes,” not “2.5 hours”). Cardio and strength/resistance training are welcome, as is active stretching like a yoga class or video. It should be something that makes your heart rate go up and get you sweating. It should be reported as the total minutes from Monday through Sunday.
- DON’T BE A JERK. This is the honor system. I very much appreciate that you are placing some trust in me by sending $10 my way and believing that I will distribute it exactly as I say I will. I am making that promise to you. PLEASE do your part and report your weight and exercise truthfully. The point of this whole thing is to create and/or reinforce healthy habits. Let’s treat that goal, and each other, with respect.
FEATURES: I would love to feature write-ups on any participant who would like to be mentioned. When you sign up and toss your $10 into the pot, I will email you a brief set of questions. Email me back your answers and I will dedicate a post to wonderful you!
I will also try to check in each week with updates on how we’re doing as a group, as well as shout-outs to people who have particularly great weeks.
Thoughts? Questions? Jump on in, friends, let’s kick each other’s asses. In the nicest way possible, of course.
Also, if you’ve got a clever name for this contest, I’m all ears!
Our minds definitely work similarly, because competition is where it’s at for me!
It doesn’t work for me to play right now, bonus gestations and all, but just wanted to say I like the idea!
Olympus Challenge?
Wiley recently posted..They’re Alive!
Since I’m dieting anyway… I’m in.
Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah recently posted..Do I Think Like a Guy?
I may have to be in. My husband and I just got new running clothes for winter (since all we had were summer). Now I have no excuse. I definitely need some motivation so maybe this will help.
Amy recently posted..A Post About Me
It’s a good thing we’re not eliminating all extraneous expenses until next month! I’m in.
Sadia recently posted..Going private
I don’t think I have a chance at ALL to win either pot, but maybe the community will provide a little extra incentive for me. Also: I am NOT dieting on a certain weekend in Feb when I will be meeting you!
Lindsay recently posted..Merry Christmas 2011!!
Perfect timing as I’ve been half-dieting unsuccessfully and need some motivation. I also am hoping to run/walk a 1/2 marathon in May so I need to start training. Did I mention that I haven ‘t run in over a year (& wasn’t much of a runner then either) and my arm is in a sling? Sign me up. It should be fun.
Pam recently posted..Television & the Twinkies
I am not in because competition and weight loss don’t really work for me. But, just wanted to say “you go ladies!” I will be rooting for all of you!
Count me in!
I love this but I am out for two reasons:
1. I only have 9 lbs to lose so there’s no way I could win by percentage.
2. Janna will kick everyone’s butts in the time category. I simply don’t have two hours every day to exercise!!
I will be rooting for everyone. And hoping I fit into my wedding dress on my 38th birthday!
LauraC recently posted..NO NO NO I will not be getting that lens!
Here’s the award I could win: some kind of ‘slow and steady wins the race’-type thing. Maybe a prize for losing consistently each week and consistency in exercise time, indicative of a habit being formed?
Lindsay recently posted..Merry Christmas 2011!!
As with Laura, I won’t be winning anything. I have 5 lbs to lose. Still, I need to be obligated to someone to get up and go, and my $10 is going to a good cause, right?
Sadia recently posted..Going private
I emailed you already that I am in. I would like to lose up to 15lbs so I probably won’t win but I need incentive to actually get the ball rolling and gain some willpower.
Oh screw it, I am IN! I need the motivation.
LauraC recently posted..I could go on and on
Ooh, I want in. I also don’t expect to take either prize home, but if $10 buys me a little more motivation, so be it!
I’m in! Thanks for the motivation!
I AM IN. Just send paypal payment and an email to you confirming it.
I am sick and tired of not being able to fit into 99% of the pants I own, which are hanging there in the closet mocking me each morning. And I refuse to buy a bigger size, I’m already in a way bigger size than I should be! I am motivated to show my fat who’s boss.
I’m so grateful for the kickstart. Emphasis on the *kick*. I will Paypal you the $10 over the weekend.
Stephanie recently posted..Duck and Cover
I’m in, too. Like some of the others, I don’t have much to lose (10lbs), but I need the extra motivation.
And how do I Paypal you? Did I miss a link somewhere? I’m an idiot, probably.
Darrah recently posted..Another year older. (The jury’s still out on "wiser.")
Okay, I’m in! I tend to do horribly at diets, they kind of freak me out and I don’t follow through. And there’s no way I’m going to win on either account. But I’m hoping to lose 10lb by my 40th birthday in April so this seems to add some accountability if not bit cash prizes!
If it’s not too late, I’d like to join in! I need some fresh motivation to get to my weight goal – in two weeks I’ll have been a member of Weight Watchers for a whole year, and I need to just finish this stinkin’ journey already! Would also like to bump up my exercise from the 1-3 times per week to more like 3-5 times. Will e-mail you ASAP!
Allison recently posted..Blood Orange Gin Sparkler
I totally missed the deadline because I just saw this post… Any chance I can jump in anyway?