It is often said that losing weight is easier when you do it with a supportive group around you. How about a competitive group? This fall one lab on campus went on a quite successful mass diet, inspired mostly by a spirit of absurd competition. The goal for each individual was to either lose or gain 10% of their body weight in three months. Five lab members entered the competition officially, though a few others participated unofficially. The competition was contagious, with significant others and family members joining in as well. Most participants, official and unofficial (as measured by who put in their $20), intended to lose the 10%. However, surprisingly, two participants decided to try to gain the 10%, intending to gain muscle mass. After approximately one month, the two gainers had given in, one effectively forfeiting and the other switching plans toward losing the 10%. The different individuals attempting to lose weight have been working with different strategies for weight loss. Some are following simple rules, like avoiding meat. Others are exercising more, others are calorie counting. Still, others are not doing much at all. To lose one pound per week, a healthy amount of weight loss, one must reduce one’s weekly calorie intake 3500 calories below one’s burn rate (2000 calories/day for an average adult).

At the time of this writing, the lab has collectively lost more than 100 pounds. That’s 350,000 calories not eaten. That’s equivalent to 1,291 small McDonald’s French fries or 2,187 pints of free beer (courtesy of Faculty Club). The contest is nearly finished, and it seems that a healthy spirit of competition is an excellent motivator!