Beginning of a New Year!

A few people on the Diabetes O.C. have mentioned that they want to lose weight or improve an A1C value. I know how hard it can be to do these things alone and also to feel motivated to do so. That's why I have started the OC New Me Challenge.

The idea is to create a group of people who are motivated to improve their health, while having some fun too! Each person who decides to join will decide on a goal and wager some money (minimum $5) that they will be able to reach their goal by December 31, 2007. You'll make your deposit either through Paypal or by mailing a check. I will keep track of everyone's progress privately using digital photos of your scale or your blood sugar meter. At the end of the year, if the person has reached their goal, they will get their money back. However, if the person does not reach their goal for whatever reason, their money will be put in the "Winners Circle," which will then be split among the winners. Read the Challenge Guidelines in the lefthand bar for more information. Five dollars is the minimum wager, but if you don't think that's enough money to keep you motivated then you can wager more! If you wager $50 that you will lose 50 lbs. by the end of the year, I'm sure you would feel very motivated to do so!

There is no official Grand Prize, other than the fact you reached your goal and you get your wager back! However, there will be drawings throughout the year for people who are participating and you qualify based on how you do in your progress. Some of the prizes will be books like Dr. Anne Peter's Controlling Diabetes and James Hirch's Cheating Destiny, giftcards for iTunes, and other fun stuff that will be annouced throughout the year.

Along with posting updates about everyone's progress, I will also be posting weekly advice from diabetes educators, fitness experts, nutritionists and other Insanely Smart People. If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know, and I will do my best to incorporate them into the OC New Me Challenge.

If you have any more questions, just email and I will post answers to help clarify things.

Good luck!