Diet Bet

If you are on Facebook you may have seen an advertisement for Jillian Michaels' latest incentive program called Diet Bet. (See www.dietbetter.com for the total scoop.) This is a great way to literally put your money where your mouth is. (I think I just made that up, but she would have to be crazy not to use this phrase in her promo's.)

The deal goes like this: You sign up and pay your $30 to get in on the bet. (Upon investigating the site, there are many bets going on simultaneously. To do Jillian's bet, it costs $30 but you can create your own bet or register for someone else's.) Then you take a photo of yourself on the scale, showing your current weight. (I'm not sure how you prove the photo is current, but I guess there must be a way.) Then you have 28 days to lose 4% of your current body weight. (Of course, this is only a good idea if you are overweight!) After 28 days, you weigh in again and take another photo on the scale. If you have met your goal, you win a piece of the pie. (Not actual pie, I'm talking dough. Bread.) How much you win depends on how many people sign up, and how many of those win.

I think this is a GREAT idea.

To start with, you are betting on yourself. This is a very positive action. (As long as you do not have a gambling addiction, that is.) By placing the bet, you are putting your money down on the belief that you can do this. Because the bet is public, you are making your confidence known to the world. This makes you accountable on two separate levels: to yourself (not to lose your own money) and to the public (not to embarrass yourself and lose the bet).

In addition, you are receiving the support of Biggest Loser star and famous personal trainer Jillian Michaels. Although you will not receive personal, individualized assistance, you will get emails with weight loss tips and exercise advice. I'm not sure how valuable this support and advice might be, but it could help you to feel like you are part of a group all struggling together toward a common goal. This in itself might be worth a lot.

Last, and not by any means least, you might win some moola. What I mean to say is you WILL win some moola! At the very least, you will get your $30 back if everyone succeeds. And that is a win win win win win win win win (not sure how many) win situation.

So do you have some weight to lose? Do you need an incentive to give you a gentle, loving kick in the butt? Do you enjoy feeling like part of a group? Do you like receiving emails from celebrity trainers? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, check out Diet Bet. And put your money where your weight loss is.

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