Contest at my gym...your opinion?

I plan to go Tuesday to sign up for my YMCA's "Biggest Loser" contest. The 3 people who lose the highest percentage of their weight over the next 8 weeks will win a cash prize. I met with one of the trainers Thursday to set up some type of program and I was up front about the surgery and she still suggested I join the contest. I'm a slow loser (at least in my mind) but I'm still feeling a little guilty about the contest because it seems like I have an unfair advantage. Some extra cash would be really nice but my main reason for joining is that I could really use the motivation to make sure I get my butt to the gym more often. And, for all I know, other people signing up had WLS lately too. So I want your thoughts on this...would you join a contest like this? Would you worry about it being unfair or am I just over-thinking it all?

Leann, My thinking is that if your gym allows it there's nothing wrong with entering. If their rules don't say anything about weight loss surgery patients being excluded and the trainer (or gym owner/manager) is okay with it then there's no reason not to do it! If they felt it was an unfair advantage they would have excluded it from the beginning. (I would understand if they did exclude it...but apparently they don't, so go for it!) Have fun with it! Sharon

I say go for it!!!!!

I would feel guilty about it at this point, but would ask if I could join for the incentive, but not for the "prize" or "recognition." On the other hand, if it is open to both men and women, without seperate goupings, then men will have an unfair advantage anyway. I would probably find it a bit of a dis-incentive as I would not want to work as hard to sort of even the field. On the other hand, if I was within 50 pounds of my goal weight I am not sure the WLS would be much of an advantage, and I would go for it. Heidi L-S

If they say you can and know about the surgery, than as Nike says, "Just Do It!" LOL

Since you were upfront and told them about it, I saw GO FOR IT! Why not, they know and they were OK with it.

My thought on this is that I am losing now at about the same rate I lost when I was exercising and working out so I don't see the issue. When I spent 2 1/2 hours a day in the gym and ate 1600 calories a day I lost about 2 1/2 pounds a week. At this point I am losing about 2 pounds a week. Yes, it is easier for me to stay on track because I can not eat many calories. however, since I am recoverying from surgery I do not have a lot of energy yet. However, the best judge of what you should do is inside yourself. If it does not feel "right" in your heart then you have your answer. Ask yourself how you would feel if the situation was reversed and then do what feels best to you. Terrie 366/324/goal 165

I have almost the same thing happening, my work is doing a biggest loser contest and the prize is $500 cash... I decided it wouldn't be fair for me to participate, so I am not. This is totally a personal decision, go with your heart. Darla