All For One: Group Weight-Loss Challenges

Picture the scene – there’s a group of you, enjoying a coffee or a cocktail together, and someone says idly, “I’ve got to lose some weight.” And you all nod, and then that's the end of it.

But what if you decided to do it together?

More and more, all around the country, groups of people are challenging each other to slim down. And it’s working.

Chris, 24, took part in a weight-loss challenge with his buddies at work.

“All the overweight guys in the group put their names on a chart, then they were supposed to weigh in every week and keep each other motivated.” So far Chris is at the top of the chart, having lost 35 pounds, but it’s not all about the competition. “It’s about doing it for yourself,” he says.

This sort of friendly rivalry could offer just the right amount of extra incentive to keep you away from the Oreos. If you know a friend or colleague has stuck to a healthy salad and skim milk all day, it’s much easier to do the same yourself.

So a group of you have decided to drop a couple of sizes, and you’re all fired up about how great it’s going to be when you all get there. At this point, it’s a very good idea to set some ground rules.

First, the weight loss should be done slowly and sustainably. If a diet or weight-loss program offers miraculous results, chances are it’s a claim too good to be true. The safest, most reliable, and healthiest way to lose weight is gradually and by counting calories.

Remember that each person in the group has different needs, and that the competition should reflect this. Try to set individual goals that are roughly similar, so everyone can attain their goal at about the same time.

If you decide to set up a challenge with co-workers, consider taking half your lunch break to go for a power walk or jog, then have a healthy lunch together afterwards. Maybe bring in wholegrain bread, lean meat and salad for (nearly) homemade sandwiches after your exercise session. Not only do you save on calories, but bringing in the makings of a group lunch is a lot cheaper than heading to a deli.

If there are enough people in the group, you could even set up teams, and a challenge within your weight-loss challenge.

Some larger companies sponsor corporate sports teams and challenges, with activities like softball or a charity fun-run. Talk to your supervisor about setting something up - with the reminder that healthy employees make better workers!

Outside working hours, your weight-loss challenge can become a real social occasion.

Take turns hosting healthy dinner parties and enjoy a great chance for conversation as well. Challenge each other to create low-calorie, yummy feasts. The CalorieKing recipe archive is a good place to start, but most of your favorite recipes can be tweaked to be lower in calories too.

Take an hour a couple of times a week to exercise together.  Got babies and no sitter? A brisk walk with strollers can burn serious calories and tone your muscles. Some gyms offer discounts for group memberships, and since you’ll be encouraging each other, that membership is less likely to go unused.

If the thought of a gym session leaves you cold, go back to your childhood with activities like bike-riding or roller-skating.

Challenge each other to train for an event – it doesn’t have to be a marathon or ocean swim. Most cities hold walk-run charity events that don't require elite levels of fitness and draw crowds of like-minded people. If that’s not enough of a challenge, then set your sights on a half-marathon.

There are lots of ways to make your weight-loss challenge more interesting. Here are a few:

Agree on a dollar amount to contribute for every pound lost and put this money towards a reward when goals are reached. You might treat yourselves to a concert or book a day at a spa, for examples. If you can’t agree on a group treat, donate the money to a charity.

Create a progress chart for yourselves and  find a prominent place to display it. If you have a conference area or work lunch room, make it a work of art. Or even post it on the internet.

Hold a clothes-swap party. Since you’ll all be different sizes, chances are clothes that don’t fit you any longer will be perfect for a friend.

Take up a new hobby together – kickboxing, belly dancing, Pilates, or whatever you all agree on. Going in a group will make it more fun, and you’ll be much less likely to find excuses to put it off.