Lose weight with the Cheapskate!

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Is there a better deal in the universe than a healthier body and smaller waistline? I think not. And because the holidays -- by which I mean Halloween through New Year's Eve -- got the better of me, I've decided it's time for a kick in the increasingly tight pants.

So I'm starting a DietBet, and I invite you to join me. It works like this: Every participant ponies up $35. If you manage to lose at least 4 percent of your starting weight in four weeks, you split the pot (minus DietBet's percentage) with the other winners. That means you could actually win some cash on top of losing some pounds.

Let's get physical (and philosophical)

I've done a few DietBets before, but the last one was about four years ago. I like them because: 

• They're public, so I feel more accountable. (Or at least, I feel more embarrassed if I don't succeed.)
• I'm not just doing this in a vacuum -- I can get support from other players, and give it as well.
• I like money! It's a good motivator.
  

On the other hand, there's quite a lot of research that shows diets don't work; the vast majority of folks eventually gain the weight back. The real secret to success is make lifestyle changes, but I think a DietBet can be helpful in kickstarting those changes. And that's my goal.

Indeed, this is my attempt to fix some bad habits:

• Eating too many meals in front of the TV. Research shows that you eat more while doing so.
  
• Eating too quickly. This is another terrible tendency that leads to overeating. Satiety kicks in after about 20 minutes, so if you gobble up your meal in 5-10 minutes, you're that much more likely to go for seconds. Apps such as Interval Timer (iOS) and SlowMow (Android) can help you learn to take time between bites.
  
• Sugar addiction. My brain is wired to instantly crave something sweet after a meal. If I fight that craving for about 30 minutes, it goes away. I'm positive that if I kick the sugar habit, I'll shed some weight.
  

I also plan to do the following:

• Get at least 30 minutes of cardio activity every day. (Previously I was exercising two or three days a week.) I'm fortunate enough to own an elliptical that I really like, but a Planet Fitness membership is just $10 a month. Hop on that machine, watch awesome TV while you work. Easy.
  
• Meditate 5-10 minutes every day. This can help to combat stress, which in turn can help reduce "emotional eating." There are countless meditation apps; consider a lifetime subscription to top-rated Aura Premium for $59.99 -- a way better deal than the $5-10 per month many other apps charge.
  
• Revisit intermittent fasting, which is something I tried (and liked) a few years back. Basically, it amounts to skipping a meal, but there's growing research that suggests it has health benefits beyond just weight loss.

See what I'm driving at? I'm looking to make lifestyle changes, not just "diet" for four weeks. But I do want to get back to 175, which was my weight for a long time. I'm not comfortable at 185. And this is how I'm forcing myself to make those changes.

Place your bets!

Lose Weight with the Cheapskate starts this Saturday, Jan. 6, so you've got a couple days to get your ducks in a row. Make sure to read the FAQ page if you're new to DietBet, as you'll want to get a full understanding for how it works.  

Let's do this thing! If it's not right for you, no harm, no foul. But please share the bet link with others you think might want to participate.

One final note: Any money I might win at the end, I'll donate to charity. Don't want you to think your hard-earned cash is going into my pocket.

Your thoughts?

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