flaab.com – the wrong kind of motivation

Flaab.com is a website that allows you easily create a motivational goal to lose weight. The site authors say that they "employ the two greatest motivators known to the human race: Money and Humiliation". Having lost over 70lbs myself, I know first-hand that money is definitely not a great motivator for losing weight and humiliation doesn't last long enough (as soon as you're in slightly better shape, everyone around you will start saying good things and you won't be humiliated anymore). The best motivators for losing weight? A slow painful, unhealthy, disease-ridden life of struggle inside your own body, and eventually premature death.

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  1. The right kind of motivation to any goal is commitment – without that, it does not matter what tool one uses. The Flaab.com site demonstrates commitment, and each member’s wager is what makes the process fun, challenging, and different from anything else. In addition, Flaab encourages camaraderie among a diverse group of individuals sharing a common objective.

    Money and humiliation are not the only motivational factors, because the members are free to share their personal trials, tribulations, and triumphs through boundless, humorous, and supportive self-expression.

    Flaab lifts the veil of loneliness and trepidation among those who have felt lost and powerless to the struggles of weight loss, and creates an unconditional safe haven. It does not matter who you are, what you do, how you live, how much money you have, or how you gained your weight, because Flaab levels the field, provokes laughter and joy, and inspires hope.
    Flaab.com is definitely the right motivation.

  2. Thanks for the comment! (I can’t help but feel that you’re somehow affiliated with Flaab.com, but never-the-less, I’ll respond.)

    Sharing the weight-loss experience is definitely a good thing and leveling the field is important to get people relaxed and willing to voluntarily commit to something that will no doubt be somewhat painful (even if only to their ego).

    I have nothing against the site. Quite to the contrary, I think anything that inspires people to get in shape is a good thing. It’s important to note though that living a healthy life is not a temporary thing. It’s not a goal to reach but rather a lifestyle to implement and maintain. There is nothing wrong with setting goals (in fact, they’re an important way to measure progress), but having a mindset that reaching the end of the goal means 100% success is misleading and dangerous.

  3. I agree, Raam. This is a short term solution. I would find it a better solution, if they had to maintain the weight loss over an extended amount of time. At least new habits could be formed and the next holiday wouldn’t blossom into having to set a new bet against yourself. I also find it discouraging that someone is making money off of society’s issues with obesity 🙁

    • I agree that it’s discouraging they are making money off of society’s issues, but at least they’re making money by helping people get in shape. I can think of many worse things they could be doing to make money (selling cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, etc).