Team Challenge FAQ
for challenges starting before January 30, 2015
For challenge starting on or after January 30, 2015, see the 2015 FAQs.
Click here for deadlines and details.
Contact us
For fastest response: email us at info@healthywage.com.
Gyms and HealthyWage members can call support at (888) 636-3832.
Our general fax number is: (651) 964-3499.
Rules
To see the rules for the Team Challenge go here.
Why should I join?
Because it works and it's a lot of fun! Team weight loss is exciting and effective because it harnesses the power of positive peer pressure, the excitement of achieving goals with teammates, and the thrill of competition and big cash prizes. Participants in the contests have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds in the last two years. Teams forming now!
How does it work?
The Team Challenge is a three-month weight loss challenge in which teams of five compete to win cash prizes (usually more than $18,000 per challenge—details here). The winning team is the one that loses the greatest percentage of weight during the contest.
How much does it cost?
The entrance fee is $23.33/month (or $70) if you're participating through a company. The entrance fee allows you to compete for the cash prizes (usually more than $18,000 per challenge). During the Team Challenge, you can win hundreds of dollars in additional prizes in our fun weekly contests. Lose 10% of your weight six months after your challenge ends and you can receive a full reimbursement of your registration fee.
When will my next payment installment occur?
If you selected to pay in installments (as opposed to one single payment), your account will be charged every 30 days. Please note payments are processed exactly 30 days apart and will not occur on the same date of each month.
Can I participate if my company is not involved?
The Team Challenge is open to everyone! Sign up now!
If your employer is not involved, make sure to select "independent" when asked the name of your company during registration.
How do you help me stay on track during the twelve week contest?
The Team Challenge is based on team support and motivation, which provides accountability and success. To make it lots of fun, each week, we provide you with tips and tricks to help you and your team stay on track. We also have weekly challenges with prizes for the winning teams!
Do I need a team of five?
Yes, it's a team-based weight loss challenge. You can have your family, friends or co-workers on your team. If you don't have a team of five, don't worry—we will match you up with new friends when the contest starts (we make sure everyone is on a team).
I formed a team; how do my friends and family join my team?
Ask them to visit the Team Challenge. After they register, they will choose your team from a list.
Do I need to send my friends and family an invitation through your website?
No. Just let them know that they need to register online at the Team Challenge page. After they register, they will arrive at the page with a list of teams and will be able to choose your team from the list.
Is there a deadline for registering, adding teammates and weighing-in at the beginning of the contest?
No, but the longer you wait after the contest starts, the less time you'll have to lose weight!
Can I participate in the HealthyWager at the same time as the Team Challenge?
Absolutely—that's a popular combination!
My company is participating, do my teammates have to be co-workers?
No! You may have anyone on your team. The contest is great for families or friends to work together.
Do I need to have my weight verified?
Yes—twice: once at the beginning (anytime on or after the start date) and once at the end (within two weeks before, or on, the end date) of the program.
Where do I get my weight verified?
You have two options: (1) it's easy to get verified at home by making a private weight verification video following these instructions or (2) you can get your weight verified at by any fitness profession (e.g., your health club), doctor or as part of your normal Weight Watchers weigh-in. If you do not belong to Weight Watchers or a health club, many health clubs are willing to help out – be sure to call ahead. Note: if you are a corporate participant, please stand by; we will automatically send you a list of weigh-in centers the week of the contest start date.
How do you calculate a team's percentage weight loss?
We take the average of each team member's weight loss percentage. To calculate your individual weight loss percentage, take the number of pounds you have lost divided by your starting weight.
Do you have any rules to prevent excessive, unhealthy weight loss?
Yes. In order to encourage healthy weight loss, we only count weight loss up to 16.6% per person. Any individual weight loss beyond 16.6% does not count for the challenge. So, the winning team is the one where each team member gets closest to the cap. Note: it is OKAY to lose more than 16.6% (you won't be disqualified), but the extra weight you lose above 16.6% will not count toward your team's weight loss for the challenge.
What if there's a tie?
Please note: the tie-breaking rule below applies to challenges that started before Jan 30, 2015. If your challenge started on or after Jan 30, 2015, please see the newest version of the FAQs.
Ties are rare because there are so many factors at play. In the unlikely event of a tie, the winner of the tie will be the team that earns the most aggregate votes in the six Mini-Challenges that take place every other week during the Team Challenge program. Each team will receive instructions by email for submitting entries in the Mini-Challenges. The criteria for voting on each Mini-Challenge is the same: voters are instructed to carefully review the entries and select the two entries that are the most likely to inspire the most people to lose weight and
be healthy.
What are ribbons and why do I need to earn them?
Ribbons are a fun way to keep track of your effort and achievement, and research shows that you're more likely to lose weight if you divide your goals into bite-size mini-goals. The ribbons take this concept to another level by making the mini-goals social (people can see when you earn a ribbon) and fun. You can earn ribbons for taking certain actions and for achieving certain milestones throughout the challenge. Ribbons are not required, but they are important because they improve your odds of success.
Is there any way to get a discount on my registration fee?
We offer a referral program where your entire team's participation will be free of charge if you invite your employer to join the contest, and at least two other teams sign up. Click here to invite your company to join. Alternatively, if your company is already participating in the contest, you may be eligible for a discount on registration because some companies choose to cover part of the cost for employees who participate—just like Weight Watchers at Work. Ask your HR department if they are covering part of the cost for the HealthyWage program.
Can I participate if I am pregnant?
No. But you can sign up if you've recently had your baby, if your doctor says it's okay.
Can I participate if I am on weight loss pills or if I have had or am planning to have bariatric surgery?
You may not have bariatric surgery during or up to one year prior to the contest. Diet pills may be used only with advanced
Doctor approval. Contact us at info@healthywage.com to discuss this before signing up.
Do I have to live in the same city as my teammates?
No! You and your teammates can live in different parts of the country, and get weighed-in at different gyms and/or doctors.
Do I have to get a membership or a personal trainer at the gym where I weigh-in?
No. You are under no obligation to any health club weigh-in station. While we encourage you to support our sponsors and partners, the weigh-ins are free and without obligation.
Can I get a refund once I start the program?
HealthyWage will only issue refunds before the start-date of the challenge or in cases where medical issues or pregnancy prevent you from continuing the program.
Will others see my weight information?
No. No one else will see your actual weight (including your employer). Only your percentage weight loss will be visible to other users.
