A few months ago, a friend was complaining her doctor told her she was fat and she was feeling depressed about not looking good in a swimsuit when she goes to Hawaii this spring. She declared she could not lose weight. I suggested we try a Biggest Loser contest. Her eyes lit up and she said, "I am good at contests!" A third friend joined the fun and we have spent the last two months encouraging each other through all of life's nutrition challenges.
I have never considered myself to be very competitive, but this has been really working for me. I started tracking food on MFP because I like the nutritional analysis better. I have been paying a lot more attention to balancing my macros and I have made great strides in reducing my sugar intake. I have really cut back on alcohol. I have increased the number of fruits and veggies I eat. It is still a constant effort and I do not yet fit comfortably back into the jeans I would like to wear, but I am fighting the good fight!