Off Topic: Anyone have any ideas on this?

[KSH]

OK... my friend and I are about to start a 2 month weight loss challenge.

She is losing pounds... 14 will be her goal.

I am losing pounds... 6 for me... and body fat... 5% of it.

So, every 2 weeks we are going to check in and see who has reached their goal for those 2 weeks. The winner, gets $25. At the end of it, the overall winner (the one who won the most every 2 weeks) will get lunch and margaritas bought by the loser.

Here is my question... what do we do if there is a tie? There might be a tie in those 2 weeks or there might be a tie at the end.

We only came up with the every 2 weeks idea... because we were trying to avoid a tie at the end. We could go back to checking in at the end of 2 months and the winner gets $100.

AND... we can't use % of weight lost... since I have so few pounds to lose.

Any ideas?

[LBTC]

What if, at a tie week, each of you puts in 1/2 of the $25 into the grand prize total? That way, if you tie frequently, there's a lot more to win in the end, therefore a lot more incentive!

What a fun idea!

Good luck!!

Namaste,
~T~

[KSH]

What if, at a tie week, each of you puts in 1/2 of the $25 into the grand prize total? That way, if you tie frequently, there's a lot more to win in the end, therefore a lot more incentive!

What a fun idea!

Good luck!!

Namaste,
~T~

So... you're saying that if we tie on a 2 week check in... then we both put in an extra $12.50 towards the ultimate winner.

I like that idea. Although I am cheap! Ha!

BUT... what if we tie at the end of it all? And we can't have a physical challenge... because she is not as fit as I am... I do triathlons and she hasn't worked out in a year.

[mary9761]

There's always paper, rock, scissors.. Just kidding.

You could have a white rock and a black rock and do a blind draw to see which gets the black rock?

If I come up with something more intelligent after some sleep, I'll post a better idea.

[Adventure Girl]

Having a buddy with you is great motivation! Good luck! If you end in a tie, then you're both winners! So what do you do to break the tie? How about the winner being the person that remains at their goal weight the longest. I think keeping the weight off is really harder than losing it the first place.

And if you can put a time limit on it... like one year. If you both keep the weight off for the year, you should splurge and treat yourselves to something nice (facial or massage?) that you can do together.

Side note... I think 14 pounds is too much to lose in 2 months! But that's just my 2 cents.

[KSH]

Having a buddy with you is great motivation! Good luck! If you end in a tie, then you're both winners! So what do you do to break the tie? How about the winner being the person that remains at their goal weight the longest. I think keeping the weight off is really harder than losing it the first place.

And if you can put a time limit on it... like one year. If you both keep the weight off for the year, you should splurge and treat yourselves to something nice (facial or massage?) that you can do together.

Side note... I think 14 pounds is too much to lose in 2 months! But that's just my 2 cents.

I like the idea of having to maintain. Well, I would maintain... she would have to lose more weight (she wants to lose a total of 27 pounds). But, we would need an ending point... so we could get the reward! Maybe we check in every 2 weeks or something? Hhhhuuumm?

She and I discussed what her weight loss should be... and she agreed to 14 pounds. But... maybe we should drop it back down to 12. It needs to be a challenge though. Basically, she will drop 3.5 pounds every 2 weeks, so less that 2 pounds a week to lose.

And... even though I am only losing 6 pounds... I will be taking my body fat from (est. for now) 23% to 18%. Losing body fat is much harder... as it requires a really strict diet and working out a lot. For a women to achieve 18% body fat... is a challenge unto itself! Much less in 2 months times.

[CorsairMac]

If I might be so bold: I always thought treating to a huge meal after working so hard to lose the weight seemed - I don't know....self-defeating somehow.

How about treating the winner to something special to them?....for you tri stuff...for her whatever her interest is.

As for a tie - split the reward between you, after all......you BOTH won, enjoy it!! and make it a date to go with each other to spend the reward!

[LBTC]

I think Corsair has it!

First - no dinner, but maybe, as someone else suggested, a spa day - massage, etc....

Secnod - if it's a tie, BOTH enjoy the spa day! Why not? As if losing and keeping the weight off isn't a reward in itself!

Great motivation - go for it!

Namaste,
~T~

[caligurl]

Side note... I think 14 pounds is too much to lose in 2 months! But that's just my 2 cents.

actually... 14 in 2 months isn't too bad... that's just less than 2 pounds a week.. and 2 pounds a week is considered ok/safe!

so let me get this straight... if one person "wins".. then the non winning person.. out of their pocket.. gives the winner $25.00

if i've got that right... then i would say.. if there is a tie.. then both are winners.. so neither are penalized for not winning... so noone loses money that week! sure neither of you are getting money.. but neither are losing money either!

OH! forgot to address: tie at the end... both split the fee of the grand prize!

[KSH]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions!

I will review them with my friend and see what we decide! I think we will lean towards spliting the money if we tie every 2 weeks. At the end, the overall winner, if there is one, can get the grand prize.

About the lunch and drinks... I suggested to her that we shouldn't reward ourselves with food... but she wouldn't let me tell her no on that one. So, even though it's not the best decision... we will do it.

Thanks again for all the thought you put into your response, I really do appreciate it!

[CorsairMac]

of course ya'll gotta come back and tell us what you decided and how the 2 of you are doing!!

[KSH]

of course ya'll gotta come back and tell us what you decided and how the 2 of you are doing!!

I certainly will!

I also suggest to anyone else out there... who needs to lose some weight and has a friend who needs to do the same... to think about something like this.

We are both really looking forward to doing it. The competition is making it fun and interesting!

[LBTC]

Well, me and my long distance riding buddy (as in we live far away, not we ride long distances together...yet), have decided we'll embark on just such a competition starting in the new year. We are both too busy and this month is too chaotic to work on it just now.

Both of us are detail freaks, so, I"m sure we will come up with an interesting set of rules and rewards. So far it's completely up in the air, and we still need to define our personal goals, how long we'll compete, etc. She's already talked about comparison graphs and the like!

I'll let you know when we've sorted out some rules and goals, and keep you posted as we progress!

Great idea! It's one that can really gain some momentum!!

Namaste,
~T~

[KSH]

Both of us are detail freaks, so, I"m sure we will come up with an interesting set of rules and rewards.

I am too, I wanted to set up a competition where we had to track our calories... hit our calorie counts... and workout so many days a week to win.

Best of luck in your competition! Mine starts tomorrow!