“I feel completely different,” states Maria M. about her recent 50-pound weight loss. “Before the [HealthyWager] challenge, I never wanted to go out. I didn’t want anyone to to see me or have pictures taken of me.”
Once a prisoner to fad diets and yo-yo dieting, Maria came across HealthyWage when searching online for ways to make extra money. Intrigued at the idea that she could accomplish two goals at once: earning money AND losing weight, she signed up for a HealthyWager challenge.
Maria bet $150 a month for 6 months that she would lose 50 pounds. When her final weigh-in confirmed she had met her goal, Maria won $2,400!
By switching to a plant-based diet and walking 5 miles a day, Maria began to see the pounds drop off and her energy spike. “I don’t think I could have done this if it hadn’t been for the HealthyWage challenge. I felt like I had time to lose the weight and do it in a way so I wouldn’t gain it back.” With the support and accountability of HealthyWage’s online community, Maria bypassed roadblocks and barriers she had come across in previous weight loss attempts by consistently checking in with fellow participants on the HealthyWage dashboard.
“I no longer think people are judging me,” she exclaims, “I can now look people in the eye when I talk with them….The motivation and energy to finally lose weight for my health has been amazing; I’m so happy!”