Anyone out there every tried starting or have participated in a "biggest loser" program at work? How did it go and how was it set up? Any info would be appreciated.

i know of a trainer that did this for a new group and a few corporate groups. It works just like any other training regiment. The person who is not "READY" to embrace a better lifestyle will fail and those who are ready will succeed.

Her advice to her clients:
- surround yourself with positive people and rid yourself of negative parasites
- be ready for the change... it is not good enough to simply go through the motions. You must embrace the new lifestyle.
- be consistent

The biggest loser workout protocols are nothing close to being great. It is simple cookie cut stuff. The people who changed where those who accepted the challenge and stayed consistent.

right --but how was it run?
I was thinking if all participants put in an amount and it went for say 12 weeks the one that lost the most would get the pot. Or should it go by percentage lost.
And would people feel gypped if a percentage of the pot went for monthly prizes for different things?

My dad did one a while back and it was done in a percentage fashion with just a pot for the winner. He won a little over 800$..

I heard on the radio a guy was saying his job was going to have one of these contests. So what did he do? He was eating complete crap to add as many pounds as possible prior to the start.

I think it's only fair to do it by body-fat percentage lost.

During my initial efforts to lose weight....I biked, swam, played racquetball and worked-out like a demon all while eating about 1,500 calories per day. Over the course of one month, I GAINED 2.5 pounds, but lost nearly 3% body-fat. It's really about losing fat.....

People who cut carbs quickly lose/drop glycogen supply. Each gram of glycogen requires 3 grams of water...this is why obese people are said to initially lose "water weight"...they aren't losing real fat. Seriously, the body can only breakdown/metabolize true nasty fat at a certain rate: surely you don't think these people can lose 17 pounds in just one week????? Well, not 17 pounds of fat. And let's not forget about all the lean muscle the body will dump too! As soon as they start eating anything more then low-calories, the body re-establishes the glycogen and up goes their weight.

Nahh....it's gotta be about body-fat. Get some calipers and let those competitive chubs battle it out over the pinch!