DUBAI // Getting fit to win gold is great motivation, but it was not the only incentive for participants in this year’s Your Weight in Gold campaign.
More than 25,000 people signed up to Your Child in Gold, which focused on families with children.
The last weigh-in was on Monday, and organisers said the results would be released in about 10 days.
Each family was allowed to participate with two children below the age of 14. Each individual participant will get a gram of gold per kilogram lost, while families will get two grammes for each kilo shed. All participants must lose at least two kilos to be eligible for rewards.
Kurt Berger, 51, and his wife Caroline Bilen, 46, have lost a combined 12kg between them and say they have five more to go.
“This is the second time we have taken part in this campaign, which is extremely motivational,” said Ms Bilen. “We didn’t take it very seriously the first time around, but this time we stuck to it and lost six kilos each.
“We even went on vacation, and we didn’t gain any weight. I would say this was a huge lifestyle change for me.”
Mr Berger said the challenge was about getting fit and healthy, and not about winning gold.
“The gold is a motivator, and I think it will serve as a wonderful memorabilia piece of my time in Dubai, but that is not the reason I decided to take part in the campaign,” he said.
“Now that I’m getting into my fifties, it’s a good time to maintain my health and fitness.
“I get up every day at five in the morning and go for a bike ride in the marina, where the weather is very pleasant at that time.”
For Danish Zahid, 29, the challenge provided him with an opportunity to get fit after he gained weight when he moved to Dubai three years ago.
“I really wanted to get fit, and, of course, the gold is a nice plus,” he said.
“I feel lucky that I participated in this year’s challenge because I will continue this lifestyle for the rest of my life. I have already lost 5.6 kilos.
“Before the challenge, I felt unhealthy. I felt uncomfortable sitting and standing, now with just a little over five kilos, I’m more relaxed and feel much better.”
Meanwhile, Simran Chugh, 27, said that the challenge has reminded her that health should be a family’s top priority.
“I am a mother, and my health and the health of my child should be the thing I most care about,” she said.
“It’s not about getting gold but about getting fit.
“The campaign is very motivational, and it keeps you focused. At the end of the day, I want to be a great example for my child.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
