Laying down a financial stake is entirely optional, but you are up to four times more likely to succeed if you are willing to risk some money. If you meet your goal, your credit card will not be charged. If you don’t succeed, your stakes will go to a designated charity.

Charity stakes will be divided between Save the Children, an international organisation to improve the health and care of children globally, Shooting Star – CHASE, Children’s Hospice, a leading children’s hospice charity caring for the children with life limited conditions and their families, the Prostate Cancer Centre, at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford – this centre has an international reputation for the care, treatment and research into patients with prostate cancer, and the Vicars’ Relief Fund - St Martin-in-the-Fields, a leading charity in preventing and alleviating homelessness throughout the United Kingdom.

Example: Let's say you commit to losing 20 lbs in 20 weeks and you put £5 at stake per week - We take your credit card information upfront (without charging you) and each week that you fail to lose the required 1 lb, we charge your card £5. After your contract is over, we donate the money you lost to charity.

You designate someone you know and trust to be your Referee. This person acts as an independent third party, monitoring your progress and verifying the accuracy of the reports you submit. Most people ask a friend or family member to be their Referee.

If you prefer, you can opt for the honor system, and go at it alone, without a Referee. Just remember that having someone to whom you're accountable increases your chances of success!

Now designate some friends or peers to be your supporters. They will be informed of your progress and encourage you to succeed. The more the merrier, for each supporter you have will increase your success rate by 5%.

Supporters can post encouraging messages in your Commitment Journal, where you make daily entries on your progress toward achieving your goal.