How to Start "The Biggest Loser" Competition in Your Office

The hit TV show, The Biggest Loser, has inspired many office and work groups to start their own versions of the competition to lose weight and get in shape. Many of these friendly workplace contests fail to really provide the motivation and accountability needed to achieve weight loss results. While the intentions are good, sometimes the lack of planning and commitment causes the competition to sink before it has even sailed. There are some tips that can be followed, however, to make your workplace challenge successful. Try out these suggestions and get on your way to becoming "The Biggest Loser" in your office!

You must have teams. The first big rule of creating an office Biggest Loser competition is to create teams. Having a team to be accountable to is very important. If your workplace is like most, snacks and leftovers find their way to a central location where people can munch all day long. Having team members, as well as opposing team members, watching, really keeps your mindless munching at bay. If you are in the competition only for yourself, you will be much more likely to indulge. Being accountable to other people is key.

Make the weigh-in public knowledge. Don't freak out just yet. You don't have to post actual weights here, however, whether or not contestants went up or down in weight each week (and how much) should be displayed publicly in the office. This provides yet another aspect of accountability and motivation. Now you are not only accountable to the people participating in The Biggest Loser, but also your coworkers who are not. A chart should be created to track the weekly progress of each team member, with team totals appearing as well. Having the entire office in on the action, not just those participating in the actual weight loss, adds volumes to individual motivation.