$10,000 Team Challenge Rules

for challenges starting before January 30, 2015.  

For team challenges starting on or after January 30, 2015, please see the 2015 $10,000 Team Challenge Rules.

These rules are incorporated into and incorporate the Services Agreement, to which all participants must agree in order to register and participate.

Sign up on the HealthyWage website

It only takes a few minutes to register and start having a blast!

Great cash prizes for the top finishers

The winning team from each and every team challenge wins $10,000.  Most team challenges also include lots of other prizes too -- check out team challenge prize schedules and past winners here.

Must have a team of five

Each team must have exactly five members.

Get your weight verified twice:

- Once on or after the Start Date, and

- Once within two weeks before or on the End Date.

Check out the verified weigh-in rules below.

Do an un-official weigh-in once a week

Step on your own scale once a week and enter it on the HealthyWage website (these weigh-ins should not be verified).  All the other participants need to know where they stand in the challenge, so it's important for everyone to keep up with weigh-ins.

Rankings based on team’s average percentage weight lost

Prizes are awarded based on a ranking of the teams according to team mean proportionate weight loss. Team mean proportionate weight loss is the average of each team member’s proportionate weight loss, which is measured by finding the difference between a participant’s verified starting weight and verified ending weight, and dividing that difference by the participant’s verified starting weight. Each individual's average is added together and the total is divided by the number of teammates to achieve the team mean proportionate weight loss. When we tabulate the results, we do not count weight loss beyond 16.59% for any team member. If someone on your team doesn't get a weigh-out, that's okay -- and we will count their weight loss as 0% for purposes of computing your team's average weight loss.

Teams are locked a month after the start date

One month after the challenge begins teams are completely locked. There are no exceptions to this rule. You are accountable for your team being complete, with the members you want on your team. At this point in the challenge, participants should be aware of the goals of your teammates and would not be fair to add members who are performing well from another team this late in the competition.

Team changes after a month

In the event of a pregnancy reported after a month from the start date of the challenge a team can consist of 4 members. This does not include injuries since weight loss is still possible, new studies show that diet is more important to weight loss than exercise.

Weight loss beyond 16.59% doesn't count

Yes, you can lose more than 16.59% (you will NOT be disqualified), but the extra weight loss won’t count toward your team’s average.  The goal is to get your entire team to lose a healthy amount of weight!

Take a Picture

Your team must take a before photo (either a team photo or individual photos). If you choose not to submit the before photo(s) for the first mini-challenge, that's okay. Just hang on to your photo(s) until the challenge ends.

Winning

Please note: this "Winning" section applies to team challenges that started before Jan 30, 2015. If your challenge started on or after Jan 30, 2015, please see the newest version of the Team Challenge Rules.

The teammembers of each winning team will receive a check for one-fifth of the prize money won by that teammember's team.

In the unlikely event of a tie or weight-reporting (or other) dispute, the winner of the tie will be the team that earns the most aggregate votes in the optional Mini-Challenges that take place every other week during the Team Challenge program. Each team will receive instructions by email and on the Team Challenge team page for submitting entries in the Team Challenge Mini-Challenges. The criteria for voting on each Mini-Challenge is the same: voters are instructed to carefully review the entries and select the one entry that is the most likely to inspire the most people to lose weight and be healthy.

Participants are eligible to win a maximum of one cash prize per challenge. Examples of cash prizes include: team prizes of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000; $100 cash prizes for 6% weight losers; and entry fee reimbursement prizes. Note: not every challenge includes every prize type.

Entry Fee Reimbursement Prize

Participants who achieve a 10% weight loss 9 months after the challenge start and complete another verified weigh-in during the designated verification window are eligible to receive a refund of their challenge entry fees. Participants must have gotten a verified weigh-out at the end of their challenge, regardless of percent weight loss at that time, and must not have received any other team challenge prizes to be eligible.

Mini-Challenges

Please note: this "Mini-Challenges" section applies to team challenges that started before Jan 30, 2015. If your challenge started on or after Jan 30, 2015, please see the newest version of the Team Challenge Rules.

Several team challenge mini-challenges will be held during the course of the team challenge. Each team is eligible for a mini-challenge prize. Your team can only win one mini-challenge prize per team challenge (if you win more than one mini-challenge, your prize will be awarded to the next highest-ranking team). Teams will receive instructions in advance of each mini-challenge and, in order to win a mini-challenge prize, your team must submit the team's entry according to the instructions provided.  No one is permitted to cast more than one vote in any one mini-challenge. In order to make the team challenge fair, it is important that the voting be objective. Please carefully consider the entries and then vote for the one entry that you determine is the most likely to inspire the most people to lose weight and be healthy. Please note that, as discussed above, the Mini-Challenge voting is also important in the unlikely event of a tie in the over-all Team Challenge. In the event of a tie, the team with the most aggregate votes over the course of the Mini-Challenges during the program will win the tie.

Further instructions on Mini-Challenges can be found here.

Eligibility

The Team Challenge is available only to healthy adults in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and other countries where wellness/athletic events with prizes are allowed, and where the US does not have sanctions or restrictions. Void where prohibited. Examples of countries where participation is not allowed: North Korea, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Burma, Yemen, Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan and others. People under age 18 must have doctor AND parental permission.

Verified Weigh-in Options

• Start.  You may get your weight verified for the start of your challenge beginning on the first day of your challenge, not before (unless otherwise specified). You have 3 weeks from the start of your challenge to submit your initial weight verification.
• End.  At the end of the challenge, you may have your weight verified beginning two weeks prior to the end of the challenge up to and including the final day. Final weights verified outside of this window will not be accepted.  If you submit a second verified weigh-out during the weigh-out window, you must delete your first submission.

Do I have to weigh-in with the same method and/or at the same location for both verifications

No, you are not required to use the same method nor return to the same location for both of your verified weigh-ins, however, it is at your discretion. Remember there can be differences in scales that may or may not impact your final standing.

Does my scale have to be digital?

No, you have two choices: if it is a personal, bathroom scale, it must be digital. If it is an upright, public scale (like one in a Dr's office) the display must be visible during all shots. The scale must measure weight in either pounds or kilograms, and must be zeroed out or balanced prior to the participant's weigh-in. The scale must be on a flat, hard surface (not on a carpet or rug). See here for more details about approved scales.

What is required in the video?

We try to keep it simple (but fair!) and we're certainly not perfectionists, so do the best you can to incorporate the following shots into your video. The most important thing is that the video is uncut, clearly shows the date, the scale zeroed out, and your weight while on the scale (up close so we can read it, and with full-body so we know it's you!).  Here is a list of the shots:

• View this page to see a list of the shots required for the video, screen by screen, if you are NOT using the HealthyWage app to shoot your video.
• View this page to see a list of the shots required for the video if you ARE using the HealthyWage app to shoot your video.
• If the scale cannot be zeroed out, the scale must reset (turn off and then back on) between weighing.

How can I film the video if I'm by myself?

• Please note that demonstrating the date in your video is only required in your video if you are NOT using the HealthyWage Mobile App to film your video.
• Verify the date of your weigh-in by including a clear shot of the day's newspaper with a date.
• If you don't have a physical copy of a newspaper, pull up a news website on your computer or tablet. Hint: acceptable sites such as the New York Times or The Washington Post have date stamps in the header, underneath their logos. 

1. Log into your challenge dashboard
2. Click the gear icon on the top right corner
3. Select "Profile" from the drop down menu
4. Change the unit of measurement from "pounds" to "kilos"
5. Click "Save" at the bottom of the page

General Rules

These rules apply to all our challenges.

You Can Participate in Multiple Challenges

Go for it! You can do all of our challenges at the same time!  A few specifics:

- You can sign up for as many Jackpots at one time as you wish

- You can only sign up for one team challenge at a time (but you can sign up for other challenges at the same time as your team challenge)

- You can only sign up for one HealthyWager at a time (but you can sign up for other challenges at the same time as your HealthyWager)

Get Your Weight Verified Twice

Once at the start and once at the end of each of your challenges, you must have your weight verified. Verification can be done from the privacy of your home by making a Video and uploading it to our website. Or, you can visit a health club or physician and have them verify you.

Don't Cheat or Commit Fraud

We use proprietary algorithms, weigh-in reviews and, if necessary, outside investigators and law enforcement to catch cheaters.  The legal consequences are not worth the benefit.  Rule-breakers don’t get refunds – don’t even ask.  The rule also applies to folks who are dishonest with the HealthyWage crew or a verifier or anyone else in connection with your challenge.

Don't Use Unhealthy Tricks to “Game” the Challenge

Doing unhealthy things in order to “game” the challenge is prohibited, including, but not limited to, deliberate weight gain (before, during, or after a HealthyWage challenge), starvation (defined as eating fewer calories each day than your doctor recommends), excessive exercise (defined as exercise that exceeds your doctor’s recommended amount of exercise, in terms of type, frequency and duration), water deprivation, unusual water consumption, self-induced vomiting, diuretics, laxatives, or any weight loss or weight gain plan that your doctor does or would advise against, or that, in HealthyWage’s sole and exclusive discretion, would be considered unhealthy or unfair by an ordinary person.

Don't Harass Other Players…or Anyone Else

Be nice, please!  Harassment of any kind, whether of your own teammates or other teams or non-participants is prohibited. You are encouraged to support your teammates, but you covenant and agree that unwelcome emotion, physical, or other abuse is absolutely forbidden. Harassment shall also include any words or actions that, in HealthyWage’s sole and exclusive discretion, would be likely to cause any of your teammates, or any other person, to feel pressured to do any of the unhealthy things defined above.

Don't Do Anything Illegal

Well, duh!

Don't Participate While Pregnant

If you become pregnant during your challenge, you are entitled to postpone the challenge until a future date. If you enter a challenge while pregnant, you will be disqualified.  Weight loss caused by giving birth to a baby (/-ies) does not count.  Sorry mom!

We Have a Strict No Refunds Policy

We believe strongly that an important part of the service we provide is a negative reinforcement that helps you avoid procrastinating and quitting, which would be undermined if you could simply change your mind or find an excuse to quit. Moreover, our pricing is based actuarial models that assume no refunds. There are no exceptions except in rare, evidence-documented medical situations – email us at accounting@healthywage.com if that applies.

Don't Have Surgery During Your Challenge(s)

You may not have liposuction, bariatric surgery, or any other weight-loss surgery during your challenge or within 1 year prior to your challenge start date.

The Anti-Yo-Yo Rule

When the rule applies:

This rule rarely applies.  It applies only if you (a) have previously won a HealthyWager or one of the top three prizes (not counting company prizes) in a Team Challenge and (b) have gained weight since your last verified weight, and (c) are starting a new Team Challenge.

What the rule says:

You can't start a Team Challenge with a weight that is more than a verified ending weight that you used to win a HealthyWager or one of the top three prizes (not counting company prizes) in a Team Challenge. If you do, your starting verified weight for the new challenge will be adjusted downward so that it is no higher than your lowest winning verified weight.

Example:

Marla's team won the $10,000 top prize in the Team Challenge on May 1, and Marla's final verified weight was 150 pounds. Then she gained weight in May. On June 1, she started a new Team Challenge with a starting weight of 175. That's a violation of the Anti-Yo-Yo Rule because Marla won one of the top three prizes in a team challenge with a final weight of 150 pounds, which is less than 175 pounds. HealthyWage will adjust her starting weight for the new Team Challenge down to 150 pounds.  Note:  the rule only applies if you won a HealthyWager or one of the top three prizes (not counting company prizes) in a Team Challenge.

Gaming the Verified Weigh-ins Not Allowed

When the rule applies:

This rule rarely applies.  It applies only when you are finishing a team challenge or HealthyWager and lost more than 2% per week since your last verification.

What it says:

You can't end a challenge with a weight that is less than 2% per week (rounding up) less than your last HealthyWage verification.  If you do, your ending verified weight will be adjusted upward so that it is no lower than 2% per week lower than your last HealthyWage verification.

Example:

Bob starts a HealthyWager at 201 pounds on May 1.  On May 5, he finishes the team challenge he started earlier in the year, and his ending weight is 178 pounds.  That's a violation of the rule because Bob would be claiming to have lost way more than 2% of his weight in less than a week.  2% of 201 is 5 pounds (rounding up), so Bob's May 5 weight can't be any lower than 196 pounds. HealthyWage will adjust his team challenge ending weight up to 196.