What motivates you to lose weight? Knowing you have to get in a bathing suit for a beach vacation? Or fitting into a little black dress for your high school reunion? What if you got paid by the government – in GOLD – to lose weight? This is exactly what is going on in Dubai. I bet that would motivate you! Watch my video interview on Wall Street Journal Lunch Break Live on “Getting Paid to Lose Weight”.
Two weeks ago in the middle of a heat advisory and on a rare day off, I got a phone call from Wall Street Journal asking me if they could interview me LIVE in their television studio. I would have to be in their studio in one hour. Since I love doing media interviews AND I’m always up for a challenge, I said yes. The challenge was: showering, picking out a “heat proof” outfit, fixing my own hair/makeup, researching the story, getting a cab in 102 degree weather and making it to the west … all in one hour! Read on to watch my video.
So would money motivate you to lose weight? Previous studies have shown that this actually works for many people. While it may not keep the weight off or make you rich, it can be a fun way to get started. Check out these “Money Motivating” apps taken from this article:
- DietBet. This site, founded about a year ago, has set out to game-ify getting in shape. You choose a bet amount, set a start date, and invite friends to join—whoever loses 4% of their starting weight at the end of four weeks splits the pot.
- stickK. Designed by Yale University economists, stickK lets you create “Commitment Contracts” that bind you into achieving a personal goal—from eating better to quitting smoking. Just set your target, choose the stakes, find a referee to report your progress, and invite friends to cheer you on.
- GymPact. Download this smartphone app, then let them know how many times you want to get to the gym per week—and what you’re willing to pay out if you skip (minimum: $5). To avoid a penalty, check in at the gym enough times to meet your goal, or use their partnership with RunKeeper to log outdoor exercise. Bonus: The penalty pot gets distributed as reward payoffs (usually $.50 to $.75) for those who do work out.
What motivates you to lose weight?
