How to Run a Biggest Loser Weight-loss Contest: 10 Tips

When done correctly, a weight-loss contest can be an fun, encouraging way to lose a few pounds. What makes for a good contest? Read 10 tips below.

1. Decide who will participate.

Your contest can involve anywhere from two people to a million, and it’s really up to you. Of course there are advantages and disadvantages to both ends of the spectrum. A smaller group can mean more individualized attention and a tighter community for all involved. If the participants are coworkers or already part of some type of a group, it will likely be easier to coordinate the actual weigh-ins (being at the same place on a regular basis is a definite plus). A larger group can still foster a sense of community, but community will likely occur in smaller cell groups. A larger group can also mean more resources for prizes and more people to help run the contest.

2. Set the rules upfront.

To a large degree, the success of the contest will greatly depend on your ability to make sure that everyone knows all of the parameters of the contest before signing up to participate. The last thing you want is for people to murmur and complain about how the contest wasn’t fair because of x,y, and z.

 

3. Base the contest off of weight-loss percentages.

Never run a contest where the objective is to simply lose the most weight. It disqualifies people who only have a couple of pounds to lose and can develop unhealthy weight loss goals. By basing the contest off of weight-loss percentages, it helps even the

4. Make a calendar.

Weigh-ins need to be routine and people need to know the timeline upfront. Your calendar can be really basic. For the contests that I have done, people usually have the option to weigh-in at any point during a two-week time period, but the calendar marks the deadlines. This allows for flexibility of schedules.

5. Require an entry fee.

The entry fee does not necessarily have to be money. It can be gift cards, a promise on an exchange of goods or services, or anything else that you can think-up. Whatever it is, it really needs to be something. The truth is that requiring participants to give something up in order to join is a way of helping them commit to the contest. For many of us, myself included, we are more serious about things when we have put something on the line. Requiring participants to put something in also provides a resource for prizes. It’s your decision whether or not you try to make a profit. Running a contest can be a lot of work, but I have never accepted any type of a payment.

6. Offer to do before & after photos.

Who doesn’t love a good before and after photo? It’s the reason that many of us flock to movies like The Princess Diaries, Pretty Woman, Grease, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Miss Congeniality. Before and after pictures are fun for everyone and make for great recaps after everything is said and done.

7. Provide multiple, confidential weigh-in’s throughout the contest.

Many people are sensitive to their weight and as such, do not want to have their personal info out there for everyone. The best practice is to assign each participant with a user identification. The ID can be used to track information, as well as send mass updates and info about weigh-ins. Only have a few people designated to do weigh-ins. Keeping this group smaller allows participants to weigh-in with one of the same two or three people each weigh-in.

 

8. Send updates.

While people may choose to only do the initial and the final weigh-ins, the strength of your group will really rely on its consistency. By sending regular updates, you can really set the tone of keeping the contest moving, and keeping participants engaged.

9. Prizes!

Prizes are an absolute must. The simplest way to get prizes is to use the entry pieces as the prizes, but prizes can come from anywhere. Perhaps there is someone who will donate to your group. Traditionally, weight-loss contests at least include a grand prize for the winner. I recommend having a first, second, and third place, and separate awards for men and women. In addition to grand prizes, prizes throughout the competition can be a fun way to spur people on.

Here’s an idea: Provide a raffle ticket at each weigh-in to people who have lost weight. At the end of the quarter, collect all of the raffle tickets and raffle off a prize. This keeps participants moving in the right direction, and combats discouragement that can occur for not being in first place.

If possible, don’t stop the prizes when the contest is over! Give the winners a chance to maintain or lose more weight. If they can keep the weight off for the next three months, they get another prize!

10. Build a community.

Whether it is a Facebook group, Fitbit group, Instagram account, or a running club, there are so many ways to get connected. Above all, make sure that your community encourages fitness and health above weight-loss. Allow people to go ahead and report meeting their weight-loss goals, but make sure that the encouragement is centered around developing healthy habits, not just losing weight. Things like “What I ate today” and “How many miles I ran” are fun and encouraging for all involved. The stronger your community is, the better your contest will be.

Final Thoughts...

If you have any tips, please share them below!

Not interested in hosting a contest, but interested in joining one? I am thinking about hosting one, if you are interested in joining it, let me know by emailing me or commenting below.

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