It may motivate some people and I suspect it would primarily be men. It wouldn't help me at all. I have had to do this journey for me and me alone! I know the minute I had a bet made I would not be able to do anything! - 1/9/2012   10:44:07 AM

I'm not a fan of anything based solely on weight. I nearly doubled my weight while arguing with doctors that I had a thyroid problem. They finally removed it and I had cancer. The thought that my workplace or insurance would penalize me for that just gets me boiling.

That being said, what I would like my employer to do is ensure the cafeteria contract includes that they must serve healthy food. I would like our "gym" area to not be so moldy as to cause breathing problems. I would love our shower area to be reno'd - I think it's been about 30 years since they were set up. There are so very many things that an employer can do to encourage a healthy lifestyle without resorting to the latest "Biggest Loser" fad. - 12/31/2011   8:41:46 AM

it's definitely not about money, it's a personal challenge. - 12/26/2011   7:35:06 PM

I'm participating in a weight loss competition with my work mates right now! - 12/21/2011   11:29:15 PM

Absolutely not! My weight and my progress losing is none of my employer's business! Making some sort of bet just gives "Big Brother" permission to make more unfounded judgements about me! I have lost 230 pounds and maintained 210 of it for 8 years so I am no slouch in the weight loss game. I just do not see making some sort of bet as being helpful for people with serious weight issues. Without support it is likely to have the opposite effect by creating anxiety and shame for the contestant who has a serious weight problem.

Any sort of contest should be between consenting FRIENDS. We all know that the boss is not our friend. He is looking for the most bang for his buck, not to help the individual. - 12/18/2011   6:34:02 PM

Although the money is going to be a good incentive for some I'd rather see the length of the contest last an entire year, the prizes being equipment or a gym pass or even a class on nutrition with the option to contact the nutritionist back if they continued to have questions. If it were set up like this that would continue to help them keep the weight off and live healthier then I would be all for it.

Just saying............. - 12/18/2011   8:46:56 AM

I have tried the losing weight for $ prize at work a few times. i am the shortest and "skinniest" of all the competitors, so i always lose. so, if it is the right person and for the right reasons (to be healthy losing weight and living healthy to keep it off), good. it's not for me. i, like SCMAMAJONES, am learning that i want to keep healthy habits more than actually lose weight. I am 40, i haven't succeeded in keeping weight off in the past, and i know it won't be any easier now. so, if i can maintain healthy habits, that's what's most important to me. - 12/16/2011   4:31:10 PM

Not sure.
I think that the incentive could be very good, if that is what it takes to get somebody to get active and healthier. But at the same time, it could cause somebody to lose it too fast and not be able to maintain it once they have reached their goal. - 12/16/2011   2:45:45 PM

I thought that Spark promoted a slow and healthy weight plan. The Biggest Losers are constantly monitored by trainers and doctors and their food is prepared by a professional Chef to exacting standards.

My health precludes even the thought of doing something like this - and I wouldn't recommend it.

If the company or corporation set reasonable goals (like Spark) and gave them the aid of SparkPeople, then I'd go for it - as long as my doctors agreed it was doable. - 12/15/2011   11:15:34 PM

I love when people tell me they will give me something or do something for me if I reach my goals. I lost 202 pounds because of it and I got a Taylor's Biggest Loser Scale to boot.

My first goal was to loose 100 lbs by my birthday in 2009. I was told if I did so I could have a catered party and invite as many people as I wanted. I kept telling people about this and stated that we were going to have this party. August 26, 2009, The party was on and I got to invite everyone I wanted and chose the menu as well. I told my friend at the party that if I lost another 100 lbs by my next birthday could I go on the Lady Anderson's Dinner Yacht Cruise. She said, "Sure Can"

Second goal was to get below 440 lbs so that I could weigh at home on my on scale instead of having to go to the recycling center to weigh on their huge scale.
I got under 440 lbs and my brother gave me the money to buy my scale.

And for the 3rd goal, I lost another 100 lbs by my birthday in 2010. My friend paid for me to go and 25 other people joined us.

Now, I am looking for a 4th goal any takers? I need a cruise. - 12/15/2011   7:04:08 PM

No, and here is the reason why. My goal isn't to lose weight. My body will do what it wants to do. My goal is to exercise a certain number of minutes a month, eat smaller portions, and in general be more active. I think having weight loss as your goal may work in your twenties or even thirties, but for women in their forties going through perimenopause it's difficult. At this point no gain or a slight loss makes me happy. Am I throwing in the towel? No. Am I excited to see a loss? Yes. But it happens so rarely that I'm not counting on it. - 12/15/2011   11:35:09 AM

there is no way I would do this. As I have progressed with my lifestyle change I have come to realize that health is priceless. If it takes money to motivate you to lose weight then you are losing the weight for the wrong reasons. I want to be wealthy too, but I would much rather be wealthy with life, energy, and a good looking body. - 12/15/2011   11:11:08 AM

My husband and I have a friendly bet of sorts for weight loss. We get a nice chunk of change if we meet our weight loss goals. There is no time frame and no negative consequences if we don't meet it. We can both win the money. It is just a little extra motivation. And pretty practical too, since we would both likely need a couple new items of clothing to fit a little better!

We have an "allowance" system where we get spending money for the next week based on how many times a week we work out. This plan was an add on to that! - 12/15/2011   10:43:42 AM

Now that I have started my journey, after several failed attempts, I sure would. I have been doing this for three months now, and I KNOW I WILL succeed, because this is for the rest of my life.
But for a company to tell me they are going to charge me more for health care?? No way!! I want to quit smoking, but just like my weight, until I am REALLY ready, I'm going to just keep failing. When our health insurance said they were raising the rate for smokers by 100.00 a month, we could no longer afford to carry health insurance. It did not motivate us to quit, if anything, we started smoking more because of stress. So for the last two years, we have not had health insurance, because we can't afford an additional 200.00 a month on top of what the outrageous monthly premium already is!!! - 12/15/2011   10:26:25 AM

I don't think it's a great idea, but it's better than what I'm stuck with: my organization will charge us over $400 a year more for insurance if we are 'overweight' (by their actuarial tables--out of date, as most of those are) and don't join Weight Watchers. the only light is they pay for ww. But I don't like ww, and feel very pressured. I want to lose weight, but not that way, not under threat. - 12/15/2011   10:25:03 AM

For the past several years I've had a bet with a friend on whether he can get down to 190 pounds a week before he runs an event (usually a half-marathon). I'm happy to make this bet, and I always hope he wins. To me it's a win-win situation. If he wins, I'm happiest. However if he doesn't lose all the weight, then I win the bet. The thing is that, for him, this is a really important incentive for him to lose the weight. Whereas I am more internally motivated to keep my weight down, he needs this external "force".

Given the huge cost of obesity, I'm sure there's a monetary amount that if offered to someone to lose their weight (and maintain this loss), it would save us $$ in the long run. I would rather provide a "carrot" than a "stick" - making insurance more costly - if it would induce people to change their lifestyles. - 12/14/2011   10:40:33 PM

Anything that motivates someone to lose weight is a good idea, as long as it's healthful. No fad diets or extreme ones.
As far as people gaining back weight they lose, lots of comments about the Biggest Losers regaining, that happens to many people, you see it all the time on this Spark site. People even go through weight loss surgeries and still fall back into old eating habits and find they can't give up certain foods and gain back weight.
I don't think the Biggest Losers method of rapid weight loss is good, but they do lose, and then it's up to them to use what they learned to eat more healthy and exercise and stay fit.
Weight loss is 70% food we eat and 30% exercise. the two have to go together.
I admire the companies that are trying to get the over weight and obese people to address the weight and exercise issue, by offering cash incentives. And i feel those who are extreme over weight should pay more for insurance, since they will have a lot more medical issues.
I am a former extreme morbidly obese person who saw the light and did something about her problem, lost 196 lbs and is off all the meds I was once on.
It feel so good to be healthy and active, I wish everyone who is obese can experience living life healthy and fit. - 12/14/2011   9:21:31 PM

That thing about this, is it sounds good. I am losing weight, and wouldn't mind a bonus.
But on the cigarette side, I never smoked, never will. But if I could get a bonus for quitting, should I start? Why shouldn't I get a bonus for not smoking all along. So to avoid hypocrisy, I say No to the weight wager as well as no to the smoking wager as it isn't really fair to those who are healthy in the first place.

I am already annoyed that smokers get 4 or 5 breaks a day to feed their habit, while I don't get those same break times. - 12/14/2011   7:23:48 PM

i use to wager my stepfather as a kid and I have always lost - 12/14/2011   5:57:57 PM

I actually participated in a cash bank - not prompted by a previous employer but a group of us employees (some employers participated) and the one who gained the most weight in one week had to pay up to the one who lost the most. It was motivational. - 12/14/2011   5:15:03 PM

I applaud organizations that are trying to help their employees lose weight and gain health, but I'm not sure I believe in the wager idea. It seems like a gimmick that could grow old quickly, especially for those who don't immediately succeed. I think I would be more impressed by a program that provided concrete tools in a supportive environment.

As an incentive to participate, companies could return some of the money to employees that they save from reduced health care costs. I could go for something like that.

It is time for us as a nation to start coming to grips with chronic disease. It's a miserable way to live, and it costs us too much as a society. We know what we need to do in terms of diet and exercise, but we need better ways to convince people to get started. - 12/14/2011   3:00:50 PM

It motivated me! My place of employment had a "Biggest Loser" contest. In the end, I lost over 30 lbs in 8 weeks and won almost $400.00. It was a huge motivator for me. (It doesn't hurt that I'm very competitive, though!) I've now lost 40 lbs and have maintained my loss for 8 months. - 12/14/2011   2:55:45 PM

Previously my husband's employer used to put about money every year in an account to be used to pay part of our very high deductible. The last few years this money has not been put in the account. It has been based on completing health assessments, annual checkups, weight loss clinics etc. If you did all the things required, you got the money. If not, you got nothing. I personally try to stay away from doctors unless I am sick so I get penalized. Makes no sense to me, but that is only encouraging people to frequent their doctors more. If I do happen to get sick, all the money comes out of my pocket.

It's fine for the companies to encourage their employees to stay healthy, but to penalize them for staying away from doctors is nuts! - 12/14/2011   2:11:36 PM

It does work for a lot of people. My office did a body-percentage-based biggest loser challenge a couple of years ago, and 30 of us in a 180-person office participated even though some who had only a handful or two of pounds to lose knew they couldn't win. There was a competitive spirit, but also a spirit of comraderie beyond our working relationship. People would work out together at lunch (many of us still do) and formed a lunchtime salad club that's still going strong. For me, it jumpstarted and invigorated a weight loss journey that had been lagging and reminded me of what wonders my body was capable when it came to working out. - 12/14/2011   10:14:31 AM

As much as I want to lose weight I would never bet on it because as hard as I try the weight does come off me I have been a member of this site for almost 3 years and have not dropped a pound on the plus side I have not gained any weight - 12/14/2011   9:42:12 AM

I don't think the money thing is good, false means to an end. Just like the current winner of BL, his wife prepared his meals, he saw it as a prize, not a lifestyle, not a real change, chance of him maintaining is minimal versus the other people who didn"t "win". The winner, wife did not incorporate the healthy alternative into her life, while other "losers" family members learned lessons and changed on their own. Sometimes gratuitous reasons can act as inspiration, but rarely produce true learning or embracing a lifestyle. It is easy to be drawn to the wrong goal- money: while ignoring the true goal- health - 12/14/2011   9:33:58 AM

There have been some great comments made here -- all are well worth reading.

I believe that fat is a symptom of deeper health issues. Therefore, forcing people to lose weight by extreme diets and exercise is not healthy in the long run -- it's just treating the symptoms not the disease. I also believe that regular doctors and even diet specialists to not understand these health issues. That means it would be difficult to make such a contest fair and healthy for all the participants.

My goals are not number oriented -- I don't have goals for a certain amount of weight loss in a certain amount of time. My goals are to eat the foods my doctor ( a naturopath) recommends and to become healthier -- then the weight comes off automatically when my body is ready to release it.

On the other hand, I do understand why insurance companies want to charge higher premiums for people who are overweight. The same as they charge higher premiums for any pre existing condition. The excess pounds may be a symptom of many different health problems but they are symptoms and need to be addressed by a healthy lifestyle.

If companies want to improve the health of their employees I think they should promote healthy lifestyles with incentives for moderate exercise and healthy eating. I think they should ban unheathy foods from their cafeterias and machines and provide exercise facilities for their employees. If they want to provide monetary incentives I think they should reward weight loss as it happens and not require it to be within anyone's time frame or to be faster than other people. I know I cannot lose weight as quickly as a younger person -- especially a male -- and it would be silly of me to compete pound for pound with such a person. - 12/14/2011   9:32:20 AM

I'm not a fan of The Biggest Loser show, but it doesn't surprise me that more than half the contestants regain the weight. The show really isn't about changing or being more mindful of one's lifestyle - the lifestyle that led to enormous weight gain - so the temporary 'habit' of excessive workouts and extreme dieting isn't going to lead to continued success in weight management.

I'm also not sure I agree with companies getting involved with their employees lives to this extent. Paying them to lose weight? Not a big fan of gambling for any cause. While it may be good for employers to encourage healthy living, I don't know whether it should be part of the employee-employer contract. What's next - if you get cancer, you're fired? - 12/14/2011   9:31:34 AM

While the potential to win money may seem enticing and good motivation, it's only good for the short term. What happens in the long term ? What the Biggest Loser doesn't like broadcasting is the fact that over 50% of the contestants regain all the weight they lose. Bob Harper cited that statistic in an interview he gave to the Washington Post a couple of years ago.

Also, folks have to keep in mind that a person wanting to "win" the competition might do some pretty unhealthy things to lose that weight. That's something else the Biggest Loser doesn't want people to know i.e. the unhealthy things contestants do to win that quarter of a million.

I say trying losing weight to win a competition is the wrong reason to lose. what will your motivation to be to keep the weight off after you've won ? And what happens if you don't win ? Let's say you lose 20 pounds instead of 30 pounds. Do you give up because you failed at winning the contest ?

a single contest isn't enough to sustain a healthy lifestyle. A person really does have to change their brain if they want to change their body. a contest just isn't enough.



- 12/14/2011   9:00:56 AM

Weight loss challenges are fine, but keeping weight off in the long run is more beneficial. I question the worksite Biggest Loser competitions, as people seem to take off a lot of weight quickly and then put it back on as soon as the contest is over. - 12/14/2011   9:00:16 AM

healthcare costs are high enough as it is, with or without incentives. Some people, not most have problems with weight due to medications they're on, I think it would be so unfair to charge them for something that is needed to keep them well. As far as getting paid to lose weight,, again are the companies that promote these incentives to their employees going to repramand the ones who can't lose due to medical reasons. Just something to think about. - 12/14/2011   8:59:04 AM

For me, It would depend on the variables-how much $, how long, the criteria for winning, etc etc etc. I would sign up for a "Healthy Habits" wager (which I have done, and I won!), but losing weight is a whole different game-the scale often does not cooperate even when I put forth my best efforts.
Martha - 12/14/2011   8:23:28 AM

If I knew this before starting to lose weight 11 month ago I would be $30 richer in my pocket......Will try to do it again starting 2012. - 12/14/2011   7:45:59 AM

I don't think such wagers are helpful in the extreme (e.g., The Biggest Loser). - 12/14/2011   7:38:58 AM

The company my husband used to work for had competitions for steps taken (my husband wore his pedometer while driving truck and got more steps than me for his bouncy seat) he got better insurance premium for quitting smoking (he still doesn't smoke after 4.5 years). The bottom line is people are willing to work for something if you have a reward. - 12/14/2011   1:46:58 AM

Twice I have been privvy to be employed at the time when such a team based weight loss contest was active. A nice side effect of them are the positive comments made by other employees to me about how I looked like I lost weight". Boosts confidence and motivation... and I hadn't even signed up for the contest! - 12/14/2011   12:26:35 AM

It's all about accountability for me. And if i placed a bet that would help or hurt my family, you better believe I would do anyhting in my power to win and get that money. - 12/13/2011   11:35:23 PM

Americans responded to penalties for smoking and look how many people no longer smoke - it would be great to see the same change in obesity. I disagree that companies are responsible for healthcare - the individual is responsible for their own health and if they won't take care of it then their costs should reflect that decision. - 12/13/2011   11:35:20 PM

I read a recent article that covered this topic and the experts said that the carrot usually works better than the stick. People getting a reward is more motivational than the penalty of higher premiums on health insurance. - 12/13/2011   11:28:34 PM

it depends on the details, how much it costs for how long and how much do you have to lose. Money is really tight so it would have to be something I could accomplish :) - 12/13/2011   10:59:44 PM

i am doing this on a much smaller scale with my hubby, sisters, their hubbies, and my mom. we are only wagering 10 bucks each, but we are all doing great sticking to our plans and competing with each other. We decided to make it last for 4 months and the winner will score about 100 bucks at the end of January. - 12/13/2011   10:59:27 PM

I put "Not Sure" for one key reason. The particulars of what the wager would be are not specified, nor is the time frame. Lacking that, I won't say "Absolutely" because I flat out would not do one that required more than a 1-pound loss per week and a time-frame that allowed for normal plateaus.

Now, if the wager were healthy loss naturally over time, absolutely - I'd put money down. In fact, I'd be far more happy to do that than pay for medical nsurance. One is betting I do well and get healthier - and rewarding me for doing so. The other is betting I'll get seriously sick or be injured in order to get even a smidge of value on what I have to pay in - and giving me no reward for getting healthier than to know I didn't really ~need~ insurance all those years and the company made profits off me. - 12/13/2011   9:36:49 PM

I voted No Way because I do not bet ... but I am also blessed to work for a City that gives us one hour a day (work load permitting) to work out while on the clock. It has changed my life. I wish everyone had the same opportunity! - 12/13/2011   9:23:23 PM

I've made bets about behavior, but I would not bet on "most pounds" or "greatest %" of weight lost because weight is somewhat outside our control. And moreover, the point is to develop healthy habits. Bets that reward the biggest loser create incentives for people to engage in short-term, unhealthy and extreme behaviors. (I recognize that they also create incentives for some people to engage in healthy behavior but you can achieve that result, without the bad incentives, through bets and other competitions that reward sustainable, healthy behavior.) - 12/13/2011   9:04:09 PM

I am currently in a weight loss challange at work. it started on sept 1 and we have until the end of the year to lose as much as possible. It's a $25 buy-in and the winner takes all. Of the 6 people in it, I am currently the biggest loser at 44 pounds and my nearest competitor is at 16 pounds. So, all in all, I stand to win $125 in 18 days. I would say that's motivation enough LOL. AND I'm feeling and looking great and my "new" clothes are fitting great!!!! So I think it's an awesome idea especially for those of us who are competitors at heart. I don't think there should be a weight losss limit but I do think there should be a significant motivator.....like money!!!!!! - 12/13/2011   8:33:39 PM

I am in a "money" competition right now and I'm losing my butt..not quite literally... our daughter is kicking everyone's behinds. - 12/13/2011   6:46:17 PM

I think the whole concept is revolting. Charging their employees higher premiums!!??? WHAT???!!! That is so bigoted I can barely contain myself. If companies want to do ANYTHING like that perhaps they should fully fund all health care, provide and fully fund Employee Assistance Programs where any sort of weight loss or counseling program, of the employee's choice, is provided ANONYMOUSLY and paid time off work is provided for them to make their appointments. They could provide inexpensive, healthy meals onsite, child care so parents aren't running from their offices to pick up and stuff any food available into their kids and their own mouths and gym facilities on-site (with showers and that free or nominal charge child care looking after their kids at the same time or even better, letting their kids play in a gym as well). Yes, it is rather pie in the sky but it can be done. The corporations shouldn't be looking to blame their employees for anything but should re-examine their own culture to see if there are ways they can improve their employees' lifestyles so that making choices that may lead to weight loss or fitness improvement are easier to achieve. Higher insurance premiums, my big fat bottom. What a blinking insult! Like you Americans don't have enough of a freaking problem with health care in your country. Sheesh!

- 12/13/2011   6:43:56 PM

If you are motivated by competition and cash, yes it can work! - 12/13/2011   6:38:10 PM

I can only hope after the competition was over that the contestants kept it up!
- 12/13/2011   6:28:57 PM

I would be willing to make the wager if it was based on MY results, not a group's results. It would be pretty frustrating if I worked by butt off, but my group members weren't as committed. - 12/13/2011   6:14:32 PM