Sites Challenge People to Lose Weight

ATLANTA - Some new websites are popping up, hoping to help inspire people. And as an added bonus, there's a financial incentive.

Financial incentive websites are sort of like having a big mirror on your refrigerator -- an online system that keeps you accountable for your eating actions, and reminds you of your weight loss goals.

Websites are popping up on the internet that do just that. One site called healthywage.com challenges users to lose weight by offering $100 if they hit a lower body mass index number. Others like stickk.com challenges users to lose weight, and if they don't they will be held to a deal where they have to give money to an anti-charity of their choice which web designers say really helps people stay on target when they think their money might go to an organization they don't like.

Jordan Goldberg of Stikk.com said "the problem is a lot of people have stated intentions, and they don't follow through on them so you need to bring in other factors other incentives, and accountability to make sure that you do in fact meet that goal"

While these websites are growing in popularity, some detractors said it's easier and more financially motivating to just lose weight on your own. Doctors said the old advice is true, "Eat right, and work out more and you'll be on the right track."

Doctor Marc Siegel said, "start off with short term incentives over a few months. continue the incentives, get you into a regular routine of exercise, diet - you'll start to lose weight, and then the discipline itself will take over and you will be able to keep the weight off long term."

Another helpful motivator with these websites has been the social networking component.

User competition and support helps to play a big role to help keep people honest and reach their goals.