We're not gambling men, but maybe we should be. Sara Lugger made a wager, and did everything in her power to win - and ended up losing in the process. Losing 140 pounds, that is, after taking out a series of bets on DietBet, a weight loss motivation site that hosts games (public and private) to see users power towards a healthier BMI.
In the ninth grade, Lugger had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and was prescribed a steroid, prednisone, to manage her condition. While on prednisone, weight management became increasingly difficult, with Lugger eventually becoming obese. Years later, in 2004, Lugger's colitis was fixed by surgery, and she was no longer dependent on the prednisone that caused her to gain weight. However, being overweight for such a significant stretch of her life, weight loss didn't necessarily come easily, and the poor eating and exercise habits she'd picked up over the course of her colitis couldn't just be shaken off.
It wasn't until her 34th birthday in 2013 that she resolved to lose the weight for good. Weighing in at 342 pounds with a BMI of 50 (well beyond the 'obese' threshold of 30), Lugger signed up for DietBet after seeing her friend, Christie Williams, succeed with the site.
DietBet involves a series of games, starting with the four-week challenge to lose four percent of your body weight. It has a large roster of celebrity followers who start their own game rounds, including Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels. And, to keep members accountable, photos are required of each weigh in, with an algorithm designed to keep pick up any irregularities in the images. It's not just weight loss at stake, but money, too - each game includes small bets that you forfeit if you do not meet the target. If you're joining a bigger pool, the eventual winnings become even higher, with everybody who meets the target taking home a slice of cash. The financial incentive is just a small part of the system, though, with the camaraderie of the online community proving to be Lugger's favorite part of the challenge - though the $330 she took home surely sweetened the deal.
A physical therapist by trade, Lugger was able to use equipment at work for second workout of the day (yes, day), so that she was still able to socialize after work. Clearly, her discipline paid off, with Lugger going from a size 28 to a size 12, and now eating an estimated 1200 calories per day - ideal for maintaining her new physique.
She's also discovered a passion for basketball. After years of turning down courtside excursions with her friends because she couldn't fit comfortably in the seats, she's now an avowed Detroit Pistons fan - with a new lease on life.
