Bet Dieting

Motivation is the driving force that gives us the will to reach the goal that we have set for ourselves (any goal for that matter - even weight loss). Sometimes we start a weight loss program, but we never finish. Mid way, we just loose the drive that we had when we started it. We ditch all the exercise and weight loss programs and go back to our old habits.  For anyone to succeed at a weight loss program, motivation is the most important part of the equation. It provide us with the determination to stick to the program and finally achieve those goals. And that's precisely what Bet Dieting does.

What is Bet Dieting?

To be honest, it's neither a new diet plan nor a new exercise routine. It's more like a motivational tool for weight loss. Bet dieting gives you a very important incentive to shed the pounds - Money! It works on the principle of gambling. You bet that you will loose x pounds in a specified time period. Failing to achieve the target, you lose the bet. It makes it fun, and also it has a point.

How does it work?

It's quite simple. People join a website, and bet on their weight loss goals. They appoint an independent referee to verify their result. If they loose the bet, money is withdrawn from the accounts. This money can go to a person who has won the bet or even a charity organization for that matter.

This particularly works when you nominate a charity whose views you disagree with because you will put in that much effort to not let that money go. Otherwise, you will just say, "oh never mind, my money went to a great cause, I still feel good about myself".

The Advantages of Bet Dieting are:

• Provides the added Inventive for weight loss.
• Makes weight loss a competitive sport.
• Increases your motivation.
• The bet factor increases your chances of weight loss.
• Promotes friendly competition.
• Good way of socializing.

The Disadvantages of Bet Dieting are:

• Weight loss in a long term is doubtful. As soon as the bet is over, you might get back to your old habits.
• It's not really a diet or an exercises routine.
• Losing the bet might de-motivate you completely.
• Honestly, you don't require a bet if you are committed to weight loss.

Betting with Friends

Generally it starts for fun! One fine day, in a fun mood, you get a challenge from your friends that they can bet for x amount of money if you lose so much by some date. You accept the bet and you are still not sure if you were serious or not. A couple of days later, when the discussion happens again, you understand that it was a serious bet. Here it goes! The next day you wake-up early, do some exercise or jogging to start your regime and you eat with a caution. This goes on for a couple of days but then you start thinking why I got into this :)

As soon as you see your first Kg going down, you feel super-motivated and now you start working harder on it. A couple of weeks later you find what you are doing is not good enough to achieve your target. That is the time when you start thinking of all kind of unhealthy shortcuts like going for a crash diet or reduce salt from your diet (to lose water weight). When you are nearer to your goal date, you become desperate and you start doing all unhealthy stuff like staying hungry. Now, even if you achieve your goal you may not achieve it in a healthy and sustainable way because you tried all those shortcuts!

Weight loss is good. Betting is ok, as it motivates you. But never take on any shortcuts which might lead to health problems. Don't forget that while doing so, you shouldn't deprive your body from the other nutrients like proteins, vitamins and minerals. Losing weight comprises of a lot of plateaus and small setbacks. If you're going to place a bet, be sure to be reasonable. Think of your diet as a life-long commitment and not some kind of a way to lose 10 kilos quick. Try half a kg (around a pound) a week. By the end of the year, you will be 25 kg (around 50 pounds) lighter.

Happy betting!