Press Releases

You can also see DietBet in the news, blog posts about DietBet, and access our Media Kit.

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January 2, 2013

TOP TRAINERS MOTIVATE CLIENTS WITH ONLINE WEIGHT LOSS COMPETITIONS

New York, NY (December 21, 2012) – Personal trainers, dieticians, and even doctors have discovered an effective way to motivate their clients to get in shape: weight loss competitions. Nearly half of all New Year's resolutions are about setting health-related goals* and social-media savvy health/wellness pros looking to help clients achieve these goals – in January and beyond – are turning to DietBet for a boost. This social dieting website and app lets organizers – health/wellness experts and others – host their own Biggest Loser-style competitions for free.

From Fit 2 Fat 2 Fit

Drew Manning, personal trainer and author of the New York Times bestseller, Fit 2 Fat 2 Fit, is now encouraging his fans and followers to participate in a Fit2Fat2Fit DietBet www.dietbet.com/fit2fat2fit to help them shed pounds together. Manning is widely known for purposely gaining and then losing 70 pounds to fully experience the physical and emotional struggles his clients face. His fascinating journey has been documented in his book and via dozens of media outlets – from Good Morning America to The View to CNN. In his latest effort to help clients and fans, he'll host his own DietBet game, starting on 1/7, and will provide guidance and motivation to players throughout the competition. Anyone can join his game.

"Two of the most important principles I preach on my site and in my book are accountability and support. DietBet offers both," said Manning. "Throughout the game players have a built-in support network to share photos and post about accomplishments – and setbacks. There's a team of people watching and you have "skin in the game," so your chances of success are much, much higher."

The rules for a DietBet are simple. Players each bet money into the pot ($50 apiece in the case of the Fit2Fat2Fit game) and everyone who ends up losing four percent of their starting weight splits the pot equally at the end of the four weeks. Unlike The Biggest Loser, DietBet is not winner-take-all; there can be many winners. Of the thousands of people who have played the game to date, 90 percent have lost weight.

YouTube Fitness Guru Embraces Social Dieting

Sarah Dussault (aka "SarahFit"), a personal trainer certified through ACSM and one of Teen Vogue's "Top 5 fitness gurus to follow on YouTube," has been a weight loss and fitness leader on social media, with over 110 million views of her coaching videos. In 2011, she became one of the first celebrity trainers to lead a DietBet. After two games with over $10,000 in prizes in 2012, Sarah is kicking off her biggest DietBet on 1/10 www.dietbet.com/sarahfit.
*according to a recent survey by online broker TD Ameritrade

Fitness Fanatics Team up to Succeed

Additionally, FitFluential, a network of the country's most influential fitness bloggers, is kicking off a DietBet on January 21. The FitFluential Dietbet www.dietbet.com/fitfluential will be hosted by a dozen "Fitfluential Ambassadors," whose expertise and passions range from yoga and running to holistic health coaching. All of the Ambassadors will be available during the game as virtual coaches, giving players tips, recipes, and encouragement.

"If you're determined to lose that excess weight DietBetting offers a whole new way to approach your New Year's resolution. By adding financial incentives, peer support, and professional coaching, you've set yourself up to succeed like never before," said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's CEO. "We're delighted to see so many professionals in the health and wellness community embrace DietBet as a tool to bring together and motivate their clients. With all these personal trainers, registered dieticians, life coaches, and gym owners setting up DietBets among their clients, the results this year are going to be extraordinary."

About DietBet

DietBet is a social dieting company that is pioneering a whole new way to lose weight. It brings people together to lose weight as a community instead of the traditional approach of dieting alone. It's working. 90 percent of DietBetters lose weight, with an average of nearly six pounds in four weeks. DietBet was founded by Jamie Rosen and was launched in January 2012. DietBet players come from across the globe – with more than 45 countries represented thus far. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter. A mobile app is also available.

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December 21, 2012

"SOCIAL DIETING" MAY BE THE SECRET WEAPON IN WAR ON FAT

New York, NY (December 21, 2012) – Can social media make you thin? A start-up company in New York is betting that it can. In January of 2012, DietBet, Inc. rolled out a game where participants lose weight together as part of an online competition. After hosting thousands of players, the results paint a picture that people who go about their weight loss collaboratively are far more successful in their quest to get in shape.

Here are some of the company's findings for players in DietBet games:

• Ninety percent lose weight during the four-week social game, averaging 5.4 pounds
• Those who play the game while sharing accomplishments on Facebook are 27% more successful than those who don't
• Players who invite friends to join them are 53% more successful
• Players who engage with other players (by posting comments and photos in the game) are 381% more successful
• Those with fans who cheer them on are 33% more successful
• Players who organize games with 10 or more participants are 52% more successful

There is mounting evidence to suggest that being overweight is a social phenomenon, like a contagious disease, rather than a strictly individual matter. According to Dr. Nicholas Christakis, a professor at Harvard Medical School, your weight is affected by the people around you. "Obesity is contagious," he wrote in his book, Connected. But while your friends make you fat, they can also make you skinny. The social networking forces that drive weight gain can be thrown into reverse.

Brian Stelter, a reporter for The New York Times, famously lost 75 pounds in six months with his so-called Twitter Diet, where he tweeted about everything he ate. The social support became highly motivational, not just for him, but also for his followers, many of whom lost weight with him.

Weight Watchers pioneered what could be called "social dieting" long before Twitter. Jean Nidetch, its founder, started organizing group meetings in 1963 to give people struggling with their weight a chance to offer support and also hold each other accountable. This model has thrived. Today, the company hosts 20,000 meetings weekly.

"At DietBet, we're taking that powerful combination of social accountability and support — and repackaging it in an engaging game that you can play on your computer or smartphone," said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's CEO. "The best part: it's working. Ninety percent lose weight, on average about a pound and a half a week. Plus, it's actually fun."

Unlike other diet programs, which charge subscription fees for their services, DietBet players end up paying each other for the accountability. Players pool their money at the start of each game, which the company holds in escrow. At the end, the money is distributed evenly to whoever reaches the goal (of losing four percent in four weeks). The company supplies referees to validate weight loss.

"Taking your friends' money was certainly enticing," said Samwoo E, who has played in multiple DietBets in his office. "But what ended up being more motivational was the friendly competition among the people in my office. Nobody wanted to be the guy who didn't hit the target."

"Having ongoing support and accountability is hugely beneficial to losing weight," said Dr. Tricia M. Leahey, an assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She is investigating the efficacy of "peer coaching" in treating obesity in a new study.

Could social media end up powering weight loss in the future? Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, sees social media transforming every industry. "We believe social apps will be the best products in every business category. In some categories, it may be an abrupt, disruptive, or revolutionary change, and in others, the change may be more subtle or roll out more slowly over time. [We're] seeing this with media and games, and in the future we expect to see this in commerce and even finance." Perhaps to that he should add weight loss.

About DietBet

DietBet is a social dieting company that is pioneering a whole new way to lose weight. It brings people together to lose weight as a community instead of the traditional approach of dieting alone. It's working. 90 percent of DietBetters lose weight, with an average of nearly six pounds in four weeks. DietBet was founded by Jamie Rosen and was launched in January 2012. DietBet players come from across the globe – with more than 45 countries represented thus far. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter. A mobile app is also available.

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December 19, 2012

REALITY TV MEETS SOCIAL MEDIA IN NEW WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE LED BY BIG BROTHER & AMAZING RACE COUPLE; CASH PRIZE MAY EXCEED $1 MILLION

New York, NY (December 19, 2012) – Jeff Schroeder and Jordan Lloyd, the couple who met on CBS's Big Brother and then went on to compete together in The Amazing Race, are now participating in a new social media reality game: a nationwide weight-loss challenge called DietBet.

Jeff and Jordan, known to fans as JeJo, are challenging their 236,000+ Twitter and Facebook fans to join them in this contest. Couples who want to lose weight together as part of their New Year's resolution are especially encouraged to play as the game is timed to end just before Valentine's Day. The cash prize will exceed $1 million if 10,000 couples join the four week contest.

The JEJO New Year's DietBet will run from 1/15 to 2/11. To compete, players sign up at dietbet.com/JEJO and commit to losing four percent of their starting weight in four weeks. Players each put up $50 at the outset and end up splitting the pot if they reach their four percent goal. Weights are verified by DietBet's referees using photos submitted through the website or the smartphone app. Unlike The Biggest Loser, DietBet is not winner-take-all; whoever crosses the finish line will split the pot equally. There can be thousands of winners.

"If you've ever dreamed of competing in a Biggest Loser-style reality show, now's your chance," said Jamie Rosen, Founder & CEO of DietBet. "It's actually better than The Biggest Loser. There's no auditioning. Anyone can play. And since it's not winner-take-all, thousands of people will end up winning real money just for sticking with their New Year's resolutions to get in shape."

"I've struggled with weight my whole life," said Jordan. "When I was on Big Brother I gained 17 pounds on camera. I was trapped in a house, stress eating junk food – like cookie dough – for 75 days. With DietBet, I am excited to participate in a reality show that will actually help me lose weight!"

Jordan, 26, originally from Charlotte, North Carolina weighs 140. Jeff, 34, from Chicago, Illinois weighs 195. They currently live together in Los Angeles. Like other couples, Jeff and Jordan have found that it's easy for couples to gain weight together as they settle into their relationships. They are out to prove the reverse can be true as well. The popular couple will chronicle their weight loss ups and downs on the DietBet site, via video, and through social media.

"We believe couples are very capable of supporting each other on the fitness front," said Jeff. "And we're looking forward to playing that out ourselves in the four-week DietBet game."

Jeff and Jordan will reveal their final weights and Valentine's Day celebration plans. They plan to donate their winnings to charity, using the DietBet charity feature.

About Jeff & Jordan

Jeff Schroeder and Jordan Lloyd met on season 11 of Big Brother in 2009. They became friends, then a couple, then one of the most loved reality couples ever. Jordan won the game – and the $500,000 cash prize – and Jeff was voted fan favorite and awarded $25,000. The pair played again in seasons 12 and 13 and also competed in The Amazing Race. Subsequently they had their own online show with CBS called Jeff and Jordan Do America. Jeff works as a host and has done a variety of CBS projects – including the web series Around the World for Free. Jordan is an aspiring cosmetologist.

About DietBet

DietBet is a social dieting company that is pioneering a whole new way to lose weight. It brings people together to lose weight as a community. It's working. With DietBet, 90 percent of players lose weight, with an average of over five pounds in four weeks. The game is simple: lose four percent of your weight in four weeks and you win money. DietBet was founded by Jamie Rosen and was launched in January 2012. DietBet players come from across the globe – with more than 45 countries represented thus far. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter. A mobile app is also available.

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November 27, 2012

DIETBET LAUNCHES WEIGHT LOSS FUNDRAISERS

New York, NY (November 27, 2012) – DietBet, a social dieting company that brings people together to lose weight and win money, today announced a new feature that lets players donate their winnings to a charity of their choice. DietBetters commit to losing four percent of their starting weight in four weeks and everyone who reaches their goal splits the pot. Now, with this new feature, players can allocate some or all of their winnings to charity. This lets people raise money for causes by simply losing a few extra pounds.

DietBet launched this feature with a $1,950 game for Hurricane Sandy relief. Half the pot will be donated to the American Red Cross; the rest will be split up among the winners. The game ends on December 12.

"We thought it was appropriate to use our new charity platform to help our neighbors who are still hurting from Sandy," said Jamie Rosen, founder of DietBet, which is based in downtown New York. "Normally players lose weight just for themselves. This is bigger. It's extra motivation for anyone looking to get in shape."

"I saw the devastation on TV," said Colin Baker, one of the players in the inaugural charity dietbet, who lives in Hong Kong. "Seeing a game that was raising money to help tipped me in favor of doing it. This has been a much more personally meaningful way to help with relief efforts than just writing a check."

"It's a new twist on walkathons," said Rosen. "We think charities of all sizes will see DietBet as a new way to engage their advocates and raise funds. With two-thirds of the American population overweight, it's not just helping the organization; it's also helping the organization's supporters."

Organizations can set up dietbets quickly and for free at: http://www.dietbet.com/charity.

About DietBet

DietBet is a social dieting company that is pioneering a whole new way to lose weight. It brings people together to lose weight as a community instead of the traditional way of dieting alone. And, it's working. With DietBet, 90 percent of players lose weight, with an average of over eight pounds in four weeks. The game is simple: lose four percent of your weight in four weeks and you win. DietBet was founded by Jamie Rosen and was launched in January 2012. DietBet players come from across the globe – with more than 45 countries represented thus far. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter. A mobile app is also available.

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April 30, 2012

JAKE, A DOG, WINS $1,250 IN DIETING CONTEST

Calabash, NC (April 30, 2012) – Dietbet.com, an online social dieting game, today announced the winners of its unprecedented cross-species weight-loss contest. Angie Reaves and her dog Jake were crowned sveltest in show after dropping four percent of their combined starting weight. They won $1,250.

Renowned veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, founder of Seaside Animal Care and The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), officiated the game. Under Dr. Ward's expert supervision, the participants walked more and kept their paws off extra treats, and so did their dogs. The players collectively lost 30 pounds in 4 weeks.

"We're thrilled Angie and Jake hit their goal. DietBet clearly motivated them to make some healthy changes," said Dr. Ward. "While obesity is a problem that we humans too often share with our pets, we can see a silver lining in Angie and Jake's example: when humans engage in active lifestyles with their pets, everyone wins."

As obesity has eclipsed smoking as America's most pressing healthcare problem, it is now also afflicting our pets. According to APOP, 53 percent of adult dogs in the United States are now overweight.

DietBet facilitates weight loss by turning dieting into a fun social game. Players all bet money into the pot at the outset and then have four weeks to lose four percent of their starting weight. Whoever accomplishes their goal ends up splitting the pot equally. The challenge is available to all overweight mammals with credit cards.

The winners are sharing their cash prize with Rescue Animals Community Effort (RACE), an organization that improves the quality of life of companion dogs in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

"We congratulate all the participants in the first-ever DietBet Pet Challenge," said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's CEO and founder. "Teaming up with your pet is a fun way to get in shape."

About DietBet

DietBet is a social dieting company that makes it fun to lose weight. Players bet money into the pot and can also compete for non-monetary stakes, like barking rights. DietBet works: 84 percent of players lose weight, with an average of over four pounds in four weeks. A mobile app is launching in May. DietBet was founded by Jamie Rosen and was launched in December of 2011. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)

APOP is a leader in fighting pet obesity. The organization is comprised of dedicated veterinarians and other veterinary personnel who are committed to making the lives of dogs, cats, and other animals healthier. APOP was founded in 2005 by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, a competitive Ironman triathlete, certified personal trainer and an accredited USA Triathlon coach. A key component of APOP's mission is to develop and promote parallel weight loss programs designed to help pet owners lose weight alongside their pets.

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April 9, 2012

COMPETITIVE EATERS GIVE UP GRUB, DROP 79 POUNDS IN TOTAL

Calabash, NC (April 9, 2012) – For the past four weeks six men, trained to shovel down everything from submarine sandwiches to pumpkin pie in minutes, have fended off excessive eating and pulled a dietary 180 by participating in a dietbet. Today, DietBet.com, an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to compete to lose weight, announced the winners of this unique challenge. Five of the participating members from All Pro Eating succeeded in dropping four percent of their starting weight. Together the group lost 79 pounds and walked away with $200 in winnings each. DietBet sponsored the $1,000 pot.

Participants kicked off this out-of-the-ordinary challenge with a "last supper" eating contest of gigantic New York style pizza slices early last month at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square Odditorium. From there, they took to the DietBet message boards, alternating between supporting each other by sharing low-fat recipes, and ribbing each other by encouraging their competitors to stock up on extra beers for Saint Patrick's Day.

Winners of the DietBet Competitive Eaters challenge, and their final weigh-in videos, are below:

• Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky, the current National Bun & Cheese Eating Champion, posted a video-blog entry of his final weigh-in.
• Mike "Sisco-Kid" Sisco, known as the Velvet Voice of Competitive Eating, blogged about his dietbet and weighed in on YouTube
• Eric "Silo" Dahl, a college junior and the #1 Ranked Collegiate Competitive Eater used his blog and kept everyone in suspense with his YouTube weigh-in.
• Jammin' Joseph Larue, the National Food Court Eating Champion and All Pro Eating All-Star announced his weight-loss through this video.
• Todd "The Hungry Genius" Greenwald, the All Pro Eating Promotions chairman stepped on the scale after avoiding an Easter feast and video-taped his results.

Will "The Champ" Millender, who had the most to lose (18 pounds in four weeks) after clocking in at an initial 446 pounds, documented his struggle to reach his goal while still chowing down on cheese fries at an eating competition on his blog "The Champ Versus Himself." His final weigh-in video showed he was five pounds short of success.

"I tried to balance the hundreds of cheese fries I ate a few weeks ago with healthier snacks like stuffed grape leaves, but it wasn't as effective as I hoped," said Millender. "At the end of the day, I still feel like I won because I am 12 pounds lighter than I was a month ago."

DietBet injects fun, competition, and social collaboration into Americans' seemingly never-ending quest to shed extra weight.

"Channeling competitive energy into dieting is a great way to get motivated," said Tina Basle, the DietBet game's organizer. "Maybe now the guys will start salad-eating contests to see who can eat the most fresh spinach and baby carrots."

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen and launched in December of 2011, DietBet makes losing weight fun. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)

Founded in 2004, All Pro Eating Promotions has sanctioned over 170 major Competitive Eating Championships, contests and events throughout the world that showcase "Picnic Style Rules" which were created and developed by All Pro Eating. All Pro Eating Promotions' "Eatertainers" (event participants) along with their events and contests have been featured in all forms of major worldwide media. All Pro Eating Promotions is also home to the Nation's only Collegiate Competitive Eating sanctioning body – The National Collegiate Competitive Eating Association ("The NCCEA"). More information can be found at http://www.CompetitiveEaters.com and http://www.TheNCCEA.com.

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March 26, 2012

FORGET BIKINIS, THESE DIETERS SHAPE UP TO LOOK SEXY IN JUST A COLLAR

Calabash, NC (March 26, 2012) – It seems like a lot of people are talking about America's so-called fat cats these days, but what about America's actual fat cats? And fat dogs? Obesity is a major problem in American household pets. Man's best friends are facing the same weight problems as many of their owners. With that in mind, DietBet.com, an online dieting competition, is hosting an unprecedented cross-species weight-loss contest. Today dogs and their owners will get on the scale together and compete to lose four percent of their combined weight in four weeks. The winning teams will split a $1,250 cash prize to spend it however they please, or bury it in the backyard.

The four-week game is being officiated by renowned veterinarian, Dr. Ernie Ward. Dr. Ward is the founder of Seaside Animal Care and The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and an authority on weight-control for pets. Under Dr. Ward's supervision, the participants will endeavor to keep their paws away from extra treats and seconds on chow, and so will their dogs.

From husky huskies to chubby chihuahas, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 53 percent of adult dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Human obesity has also reached epidemic proportions with more than 200 million overweight Americans. The silver lining is that humans and their pets can help each other adopt more active lifestyles. Whether by going out for more walks or taking turns fetching sticks, humans and their pets can have fun engaging in healthy activities together.

Each human-dog team will bet $50 into the pot with DietBet putting up an additional $1000. The $1,250 prize will be shared among the winners and with Rescue Animals Community Effort (RACE), an organization that works to improve the quality of life of companion dogs in Brunswick county, North Carolina.

The participants

The paunchy pooches in the dietbet include:

• Jake, a 4-year-old mixed breed and his owner Angie, a veterinary technician with Seaside Animal Care, who nursed the pup back from a parasitic infection four years ago after finding him under her father-in-law's car.
• Daisy, a black Labrador Retriever who has tried everything from long walks to low-calorie dog biscuits to lose weight. By teaming up with Ashleigh, her owner and veterinary technician with Seaside Animal Care, she knows they will kick their muffin tops for good.
• Foxy, a 7-year-old German Shepard, who was abandoned in a locked crate on an empty lot and managed to escape and avoid starving. After being adopted by Autumn and taken to Seaside Animal Care for vaccinations, Foxy began to eat as much as she could whenever she could. Now the two are pairing up to lose weight and stay healthy.
• Dallas, a golden retriever, who reluctantly agreed to participate after much urging from his retired owner, Carol. Dallas swears he eats a healthy diet filled with carrots and string beans that are proper portion sizes. He's named for the Dallas Cowboys and grew up in Washington Redskins territory.
• Noel, a 12-year-old Bichon Frise, who has been spoiled by her owner, Maria. She has come to expect a taste of every human meal and the kitchen is her favorite room in the house. Although both do a fair amount of walking each day, they sabotage their efforts by not watching their diets.

Note: photos of all two and four-legged participants are available.

"A program that helps pet owners lose weight alongside their pets was a natural fit with our mission," said Dr. Ward, founder and president of both the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and Seaside Animal Care. "At Seaside, we've watched so many of these dogs overcome illnesses and infections and obesity is their next hurdle."

DietBet, normally played among humans, injects fun, competition, and social collaboration into Americans' never-ending quest to shed extra weight. Players use the DietBet message boards to offer encouragement and trash talk over the course of a four-week contest.

"The hardest part about losing weight is doing it alone," said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's founder. "Teaming up with your dog to get in shape is an enjoyable way to jumpstart new healthy habits. At DietBet, we´re always looking for fun ideas that motivate people to get in shape."

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen and launched in December of 2011, DietBet makes losing weight fun. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)

APOP has launched campaigns to fight pet obesity within the veterinary medical community, veterinary school, and state and local veterinary organizations. The organization is made up of dedicated veterinarians and veterinary healthcare personnel who are committed to making the lives of dogs, cats, all other animals and people healthier and more vital. APOP was founded in 2005 by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward, a competitive Ironman triathlete, certified personal trainer and an accredited USA Triathlon coach. A key component of APOP's mission is to develop and promote parallel weight loss programs designed to help pet owners lose weight alongside their pets.

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March 13, 2012

HOLD THE WIZ, MOM BLOGGERS FROM CHEESESTEAK CAPITAL OF THE WORLD SUCCEED IN SHEDDING LBS TOGETHER

Philadelphia, PA (March 13, 2012) – DietBet.com, an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to compete to lose weight,today announced the winners of its Philadelphia mom blogger challenge. Seven of the nine participants reached their goal in the four-week DietBet competition.  The moms looking to shrink in size embarked on a weight loss journey that began with a "last supper" at the famous Tony Luke's early last month.

The players participated in a high-stakes game through DietBet.com to win money and earn blogosphere bragging rights. Chances are the moms won't be spending their winnings on soft pretzels or cheesesteaks.

"I had no idea that losing could feel so good," wrote Kelly Anderson Moran on her Delco Diva blog. "I've spent my weeks planning meals, avoiding unhealthy snacks and heading to the Y for classes and workout time. Part of my motivation is coming from keeping in touch with the other competitors.  We leave messages almost daily on the DietBet board and hearing from everyone helps us all stay focused."

Together the group lost 87pounds and walked away with $175 in winnings each.  The Philadelphia mom bloggers allcontributed $25 to the pot and DietBet sweetened the pot by adding $1,000.

The participants

Winners of the DietBet Philly Mom Blogger Challenge are:

• KellyAnderson Moran, author of Delco Diva blog
• Kelly Brown, author of The Turnip Farmer blog
• DanaJackowicz, author of Single Mom in the City blog
• Stephanie Glover, author of A Grande Life blog
• Mary EllenMannix, author of James's Project blog
• Heather Wray, author of Local Fun for Kids blog

JenniferPohlhaus, author of Harmonic Mama, blog

DietBet injects fun, competition, and social collaboration into America's quest to shed extra weight.

"More and more games like this mom blogger challenge are happening across the country.  Who wouldn't want to lose weight and have fun doing it? We congratulate our new DietBet winners," said Jamie Rosen, founder of DietBet.com.

Recent research shows that the carrot of winning real money – along with the stick of losing it – is a highly effective motivator. In a study at the University of Pennsylvania, people offered a financial incentive to lose weight were five times more successful at reaching their weight-loss goal than test subjects offered no incentives.

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen and launched in December of 2011, DietBet makes losing weight fun. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

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March 9, 2012

PROFESSIONAL EATERS SCARF DOWN SLICES, TIP THE SCALES PRE-DIET

New York, NY (March 9, 2012) – Today DietBet.com, an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to compete to lose weight, announced the winner of its "last supper" competitive eating contest of gigantic pizza slices at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square Odditorium, located at 234 West 42nd Street.

Crowds cheered on the three members of All Pro Eating who bulked up on 32" Koronet pizzas before pulling a dietary 180 and weighing in for the start of their four-week long weight loss competition. The winner, Will "The Champ" Millender, not only scarfed down the most slices, but was also the heaviest of the bunch, tipping the scales at a whopping 446 pounds. Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky weighed in at 271.5 pounds and Mike "Sisco-Kid" Sisco weighed in at 268 pounds.

Players who reach their goal of dropping four percent of their starting weight in four weeks will split a $1,000 pot. Trained to do nothing but consume everything in front of them as quickly as possible, these men-turned-eating-machines will think twice before competing over the next month in wing-offs, ravioli races, taco triathlons, and milkshake marathons.

The participants

Members of All Pro Eating participating in the competition include:

• Will "The Champ" Millender – Brooklyn resident; four time and current New York Stinky Cheese Eating Champion; featured on Discovery Channel, MTV, and National Geographic.
• Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky – from Laurence Harbor, NJ, once ate a pumpkin pie in 70 seconds; is the current National Bun & Cheese Eating Champion; was featured on "America's Got Talent".
• Mike "Sisco-Kid" Sisco – hails from Brooklyn; known as the Velvet Voice of Competitive Eating.
• Eric "Silo" Dahl – a college junior from Delano, MN, is the #1 Ranked All Pro Eating and #1 Ranked Collegiate Competitive Eater; is the World Hands-Free Pumpkin Pie Eating Champion and National Pulled Pork Eating Champion.
• Todd "The Hungry Genius" Greenwald – from Madison, Wisconsin is the All Pro Eating Promotions partner/chairman.
• Jammin' Joseph Larue – hails from Kentucky and is the National Food Court Eating Champion.

The Champ, The Cannon, and Sisco-Kid competed live at Ripley's Odditorium on 42nd Street, while the others weighed in remotely. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square's own Greg Dubin, known as the "Great Dubini" emceed the fattening festivities. Amazingly, all three eaters continued to munch on cheesy pizza well after time ran out on the clock. 

"These slices of pizza were bigger than the contestant's heads…and the crowd couldn't believe how quickly the pro-eaters swallowed them down," said Michael Hirsch, president/general manager of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square.  "In true Ripley's style, the event showcased a Believe It or Not! twist." 

"Maybe that is why I got into competitive eating – I would never turn down a free lunch," said Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky.

DietBet injects fun, competition, and social collaboration into Americans' seemingly never-ending quest to shed extra weight. Players use the DietBet message boards to offer both encouragement and trash talk. Getting into the spirit, Will "The Champ" Millender already shipped a case of Twinkies to Todd "The Hungry Genius" Greenwald.

"I've been in all kinds of eating competitions and this is one of the most unusual," said Jammin' Joseph Larue. "Getting professional eaters to lose weight ... it's like asking fish to walk or librarians to scream."

"We relish the opportunity to watch these expert eaters tackle a different kind of food-related competition. We're curious to see what they do to fill the time. Maybe Joel "The Cannon" will get into Words With Friends." said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's founder.

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen and launched in December of 2011, DietBet makes losing weight fun. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

About Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square

Located in Times Square in the heart of New York City, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium brings people of all ages face-to-face with the world's most unbelievable curiosities.  With 18,000 square feet of astonishing artifacts, exclusive oddities, exciting interactive exhibits and heart-stopping sideshow performers, this one-of-a-kind attraction welcomes visitors to experience the unusual and unexpected, where the entire family will rediscover wonder around every corner.  Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square is open from 9:00am – 1:00am. For further information visit www.ripleysnewyork.com. Follow us on Twitter and tell us your most unusual stories and like us on Facebook.

About All Pro Eating Promotions

Founded in 2004, All Pro Eating Promotions has sanctioned over 170 major Competitive Eating Championships, contests and events throughout the world that showcase "Picnic Style Rules" which were created and developed by All Pro Eating. All Pro Eating Promotions' "Eatertainers" (event participants) along with their events and contests have been featured in all forms of major worldwide media. All Pro Eating Promotions is also home to the Nation's only Collegiate Competitive Eating sanctioning body – The National Collegiate Competitive Eating Association ("The NCCEA"). More information can be found at http://www.CompetitiveEaters.com and http://www.TheNCCEA.com.

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March 7, 2012

PROFESSIONAL EATERS DEVOUR GIANT PIZZAS, THEN GO ON DIET

New York, NY (March 7, 2012) – Today DietBet.com, an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to compete to lose weight, announced several members of All Pro Eating will pull a dietary 180 and participate in a dietbet. This out-of-ordinary weight-loss challenge kicks-off with a "last supper" competitive eating contest of gigantic New York style pizza slices followed immediately by a weigh-in at the perfect location for such an event, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square Odditorium, located at 234 West 42nd Street, on Friday, March 9 at 11:30 am.

The public is invited to cheer on the eaters as they bulk up before embarking on their four-week weight loss competition. Hopefully the competitors - and the scales - can handle getting a little cheese grease and tomato sauce on them from the 32" Koronet pizzas. The eating contest will be immediately followed by the official weigh-in to kick off the dietbet.

Players who reach their goal of dropping four percent of their starting weight in four weeks will split a $1,000 pot. Trained to do nothing but consume everything in front of them as quickly as possible, these men-turned-eating-machines will think twice before competing over the next month in wing-offs, hot dog races, taco triathlons, and milkshake marathons.

The participants

Members of All Pro Eating participating in the competition include:

• Will "The Champ" Millender – Brooklyn resident; four time and current New York Stinky Cheese Eating Champion; featured on Discovery Channel, MTV, and National Geographic.
• Joel "The Cannon" Podelsky – from Laurence Harbor, NJ, once ate a pumpkin pie in 70 seconds; is the current National Bun & Cheese Eating Champion; was featured on "America's Got Talent".
• Mike "Sisco-Kid" Sisco – hails from Brooklyn; known as the Velvet Voice of Competitive Eating.
• Eric "Silo" Dahl – a college junior from Delano, MN, is the #1 Ranked All Pro Eating and #1 Ranked Collegiate Competitive Eater; is the World Hands-Free Pumpkin Pie Eating Champion and National Pulled Pork Eating Champion.
• Todd "The Hungry Genius" Greenwald – from Madison, Wisconsin is the All Pro Eating Promotions partner/chairman.
• Jammin' Joseph Larue – hails from Kentucky and is the National Food Court Eating Champion.

The Champ, The Cannon, and Sisco-Kid will be competing live at Ripley's Odditorium on 42nd Street, while the others will be weighing in remotely. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square's own Greg Dubin, known as the "Great Dubini" will emcee the fattening festivities.

"Competitive eaters going on diets, giant slices of pizza – you know we're excited to host DietBet's event," said Michael Hirsch, president/general manager of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square. "At Ripley's, we celebrate the unexpected and can't wait to watch this group of pro-eaters in their last meal before starting such an unbelievable feat."

DietBet injects fun, competition, and social collaboration into Americans' seemingly never-ending quest to shed extra weight. Players use the DietBet message boards to offer both encouragement and trash talk. Getting into the spirit, Will "The Champ" Millender recently shipped a case of Twinkies to Todd "The Hungry Genius" Greenwald.

"I've been in all kinds of eating competitions and this is one of the most unusual," said Jammin' Joseph Larue. "Getting professional eaters to lose weight ... it's like asking fish to walk or librarians to scream."

"We relish the opportunity to watch these expert eaters tackle a different kind of food-related competition. We're curious to see what they do to fill the time. Maybe Joel "The Cannon" will get into Words With Friends." said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's founder. "Traditionally, 'diet' has been viewed as a four-letter word and we're proving that with DietBet, weight-loss can actually be fun."

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen and launched in December of 2011, DietBet makes losing weight fun. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

About Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square

Located in Times Square in the heart of New York City, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium brings people of all ages face-to-face with the world's most unbelievable curiosities.  With 18,000 square feet of astonishing artifacts, exclusive oddities, exciting interactive exhibits and heart-stopping sideshow performers, this one-of-a-kind attraction welcomes visitors to experience the unusual and unexpected, where the entire family will rediscover wonder around every corner.  Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square is open from 9:00am – 1:00am. For further information visit www.ripleysnewyork.com. Follow us on Twitter and tell us your most unusual stories and like us on Facebook.

About All Pro Eating Promotions

Founded in 2004, All Pro Eating Promotions has sanctioned over 170 major Competitive Eating Championships, contests and events throughout the world that showcase "Picnic Style Rules" which were created and developed by All Pro Eating. All Pro Eating Promotions' "Eatertainers" (event participants) along with their events and contests have been featured in all forms of major worldwide media. All Pro Eating Promotions is also home to the Nation's only Collegiate Competitive Eating sanctioning body – The National Collegiate Competitive Eating Association ("The NCCEA"). More information can be found at http://www.CompetitiveEaters.com and http://www.TheNCCEA.com.

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February 7, 2012

TOP BLOGGERS DROP 67 POUNDS, WIN $5,000 DIETBETTING

New York, NY, February 7, 2012 – DietBet.com, an online social dieting game that lets people win money through weight-loss competitions, announced the winners of its "Lose to Win Challenge". The players –seven top bloggers – came together at DietBet.com for a high-stakes gamethat benefitted charities. DietBet put up the $5,000 pot.

All the players reached or exceeded their goal of losing four percent of their weight in four weeks. In the final week, one of the participants, Amy Oztan, of "Selfish Mom", said, "Do you realize we've lost the weight of my seven-year-old daughter? I can't pick her up anymore!" In the end, the seven women collectively lost 67 pounds in just under a month.

The women razzed each other along the way. In the beginning, one blogger sent another a doughnut maker. They were also supportive and commiserated about the challenges of losing weight while traveling for work. The bloggers said the competition and high stakes kept them sharp and energized.

Oneplayer, Angie Vinez of "Blessed Beyond Words", used the motivation of the game to gowell beyond her goal, losing a total of 17 pounds. The result was a seven-way tie with each player splitting the pot equally ($715 each). Players donated some or all of their winnings to the charity of their choice.

The participants

Winners of the DietBet Blogger Lose to Win Challenge are:

• Amy Oztan, of "Selfish Mom" and "Blogging Angels". Oztan played for The Fistula Foundation.
• Amanda Lonsdale and AmySchirmerof "Dilettante Club". The duo donated their winnings to the DC Central Kitchen.
• Kathleen Canedo, the author of the "Brutalism" blog and the weekly Oakton Patch humor column "At Home with Brutalism". Canedoalso selected DC Central Kitchen as her charity.
• Kimberly Coleman of "Foodie City Mom". Colemanplayed for City Harvest. 
• Angie Vinez, of "Blessed Beyond Words". Vinez will donate her winnings to St Jude's Children's Hospital.
• Shari Simpson, the author of the blog "Earth Mother Just Means I'm Dusty". Simpson played for HOPE Worldwide.

"We were pleasantly surprised to see that every one of these bloggers won", said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's founder. "Clearly they had a lot of fun – the kind of fun not typically associated with the word "diet", and it propelled them to reach their goals."

The bloggers all credit DietBet with enabling them to jumpstart their weight loss. Several plan on competing again.

"DietBet helped motivate me in other ways, besides just the bet. We talked to each other on the message boards – to celebrate little victories, share tips, and threaten to send cheesecakes to each other. It was an excellent way to reinvigorate my weight loss motivation", said Amy Oztan. "Prior to starting the challenge, I'd dropped 15 pounds and now I'm down another eight thanks to DietBet."

DietBet injects fun, competition, and social collaboration into America's quest to shed extra weight.

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen in 2010 and launched in December of 2011, DietBet makes losing weight fun. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

About Jamie Rosen

Jamie Rosen, Founder & CEO, dropped out of HarvardBusinessSchool to start his first internet business, Comet Systems, which he sold for $33.5 million in 2004. At Comet, he invented the company's flagship product, which received Adweek's "Best Marketing Technology of the Year" award in 1999. Prior to Comet, Rosen invented toys. Today he has 10 pending and issued patents and in 2007, he sold several of his patents, covering location-based games, to Yahoo! Rosen graduated from Harvard College in 1992 and is married with three children.

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January 3, 2012

MOM BLOGGERS ACCEPT NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION CHALLENGE WITH NEW SOCIAL DIETING GAME

New York, NY, January 3, 2012 – A group of the most influential mom bloggers are using the new DietBet.com platform to set up a New Year's resolution weight-loss challenge, with $5,000 on the line. The winnings go to the bloggers and their charity of choice. All the players in the high-stakes game have to lose four percent of their bodyweight in four weeks. If they reach their goal, they win the pot, or split it evenly if there are multiple winners.

The hot topic around New Year's resolutions in 2012 is dietbetting – with recent research showing that the carrot of winning real money – along with the stick of losing it – is a highly effective motivator. In a study at the University of Pennsylvania, people offered a financial incentive to lose weight were five times more successful at reaching their weight-loss goal than test subjects offered no incentives.

Social weight-loss challenges are popping up everywhere, from The Biggest Loser to the double-episode premiere of season five of The Office, which featured a dietbet among the Dunder Mifflin branches.

DietBet.com makes it a breeze to set up a dietbet, as easy as planning a party with Evite. Anyone can use the site's tools for free to set up a game with their friends and co-workers. A mobile app is coming out in early 2012.

"Losing weight is the number one New Years resolution", said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's founder, a serial entrepreneur and Harvard Business School dropout. "The hard part is doing it alone. We're helping these mom bloggers – and others – jumpstart their weight loss goals by making it fun, competitive, and lucrative … with the potential to win a lot of money. Our four week dietbet is an easy, manageable way to get started right."

The participants

DietBet is sponsoring the $5,000 pot for the blogger game. Players will be documenting their progress through blog posts and social media updates. The blogger game participants include:

• Amy Oztan, of "Selfish Mom" and "Blogging Angels". Oztan was named "Funniest Mom on Twitter" by Babble.com, and was recognized by Working Mother magazine as one of the fifteen most powerful moms in social media. She has selected The Fistula Foundation as her charity.
• Amanda Lonsdale and Amy Schirmer of "Dilettante Club", an award-winning blog written by three women who've made a hobby of not having hobbies. Their blog has been featured in The Washington Post, and elsewhere. They'll be playing for the chance to share their winnings with the DC Central Kitchen.
• Kathleen Canedo, the author of the "Brutalism" blog and the weekly Oakton Patch humor column "At Home with Brutalism". Canedo, who is also a member of the Dilettante Club, and was in the Guinness Book of World Records for tap dancing, has also chosen DC Central Kitchen as her charity.
• Kimberly Coleman of "Foodie City Mom", a blog covering food, recipes, city life and motherhood, will be playing for the chance to share winnings with City Harvest. Coleman, who formerly worked in investment banker and is a mom of two, also writes for Harlem Community Newspapers and She Posts. 
• Angie Vinez, of "Blessed Beyond Words". Vinez, a rural Georgia-based Christian mom of six, and popular blogger, has chosen St Jude's Children's Hospital as her charity.
• Shari Simpson, the author of the blog "Earth Mother Just Means I'm Dusty" and the editor of "Mommy Poppins NJ". Simpson is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in various parenting sites such as "MomsLikeMe", "Moms In The City", and in CBS New York's "Kids" section. Simpson has named HOPE Worldwide as her charity.

"I wanted to get involved in the game in a public way because I think it'll encourage other people to make a healthy start in the new year", said Kathleen Canedo of Brutalism.

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen in 2010 and launched in December of 2011, DietBet makes losing weight fun. Find DietBet on Facebook and Twitter.

About Jamie Rosen

Jamie Rosen, Founder & CEO, dropped out of Harvard Business School to start his first internet business, Comet Systems, which he sold for $33.5 million in 2004. At Comet, he invented the company's flagship product, which received Adweek's "Best Marketing Technology of the Year" award in 1999. Prior to Comet, Rosen invented toys. Today he has 10 pending and issued patents and in 2007, he sold several of his patents, covering location-based games, to Yahoo! Rosen graduated from Harvard College in 1992 and is married with three children.

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December 19, 2011

NEW SOCIAL DIETING GAME LETS PLAYERS PUT MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTHS ARE

New York, NY, December 19, 2011 – DietBet, a new social dieting game launching today, gives players the opportunity to win money and lose weight in a friendly competition. Players are challenged to lose either eight pounds or four percent of their starting weight in four weeks; everyone who reaches their goal wins or splits the pot. Like fantasy football for dieters, the game injects fun, competition, and social collaboration into Americans' seemingly never-ending quest to shed extra weight.

"We started DietBet because nobody likes dieting, but everyone likes playing games", said Jamie Rosen, DietBet's founder, a serial entrepreneur and Harvard Business School dropout. 

Based on the Fun Theory, which employs creative ways to improve life by making mundane tasks enjoyable, DietBet inspires players to lose weight by engaging them in a friendly competition with real rewards. With over 190 million overweight Americans today and healthcare costs exploding, the efficacy of employing financial incentives to boost weight loss has recently become a hot topic. A body of research has shown that the thrill of winning real money – along with the pain of losing it – is a highly effective motivator for weight loss. In a study at the University of Pennsylvania, people offered a financial incentive to lose weight were five times more successful at reaching their goal than test subjects offered no incentives.

DietBet simplifies weight loss competitions the way Evite simplifies party planning as anyone can use the site's free tools to set up a game with friends. A mobile app is coming out in early 2012.

How it works

• Invite friends to play at www.DietBet.com; You, as the Organizer, set the stakes and decide how much each player has to lose (either eight pounds or four percent of their starting weight); Dietbets last four-weeks – a manageable timeframe to see progress while still keeping it fun and lively; People who find that dietbetting works for them may play repeatedly in order to get to a healthy weight.
• It's not like The Biggest Loser in that it's not limited to one winner; Indeed, the goal of dietbetting is to have lots of winners; To promote this, there is no advantage to coming in first – everyone who crosses the finish line by the final weigh-in ends up winning the pot (or splitting it evenly if there are multiple winners)
• The game is free except for an optional service that lets players place bets with a credit card or Paypal
• Official weigh-ins take place on Day 1 and Day 28; The Organizer may appoint a referee to officiate
• Throughout the game, players can post progress, swap photos, root for each other, and talk smack; All's fair in love, war, and dietbetting; Players who don't want to reveal their weight may keep it hidden
• For extra motivation, the Organizer may add bonus stakes, such as losers have to babysit the winners' kids or clean the office refrigerator; In corporate games, players can compete for perks like extra vacation days
• Players receive "The Daily Carrot", entertaining tips written by comedy writers from Harvard
• At the final weigh-in anyone who hits their goal wins the loot, as well as priceless bragging rights

Weight loss challenges happen around the country already and have started permeating pop-culture – including the double-episode premiere of season five of The Office, which featured a dietbet among the Dunder Mifflin branches.

"In the past, anyone wanting to set up a dietbet would have to do a lot of work – inviting players, collecting bets, and tracking progress. We've made it a snap, not to mention free, to run a game", said Rosen. "Nike+ has gamified running. FourSquare is gamifying checking into gyms and cafes. We're gamifying weight loss."

About DietBet

DietBet is an online social dieting game that gives players the opportunity to win money through weight-loss competitions. Dietbetters play with friends and co-workers and put money into a pot; whoever reaches the goal by the end of four weeks wins the pot (or splits it). It's motivation through friendly competition, with real rewards. Founded by Jamie Rosen in 2010 and launched in December of 2011, DietBet has made losing weight fun.

About Jamie Rosen

Jamie Rosen, Founder & CEO, dropped out of Harvard Business School to start his first internet business, Comet Systems, which he sold for $33.5 million in 2004. At Comet, he invented the company's flagship product, which received Adweek's "Best Marketing Technology of the Year" award in 1999. Prior to Comet, Rosen invented toys and games. Today he has 10 pending and issued patents. In 2007, he sold several of his patents, covering location-based games, to Yahoo! Rosen graduated from Harvard College in 1992 and is married with three children.