Weight loss challenge: spreadsheet or app?
Lots of challenges start with a spreadsheet. That works as long as one person is happy to collect weights every week. Here is the honest comparison, including the points where the spreadsheet wins.
The comparison at a glance
| Excel or Google Sheets | Lossboard | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | free | free for up to 3 people, €4.99 once for up to 10, participants never pay |
| Setup | adapt a template, check formulas | one minute, share a link |
| Collecting weights | one person collects every week | everyone enters their own |
| Who sees the weights? | whoever maintains the sheet sees all | only yourself, the group sees percent |
| Leaderboard by percentage | formula and sorting | automatic |
| Weekly winners, duels, badges | by hand, if at all | automatic |
| Weigh-in reminder | no | yes |
| Cheering | in the group chat | reactions and a “This week” feed |
| Sharing the result | screenshot | ready-made image, without names if you prefer |
| Fully customisable | yes, every column | fixed rules, 4 to 16 weeks, up to 30 people |
When a spreadsheet is enough
- There are two or three of you, and one person likes doing the maths.
- You want your own rules that no app covers.
- Everyone is fine with one person seeing all the weights.
Then grab the free template and use the percentage calculator for quick standings.
When an app fits better
- From four or five people, when collecting weights gets tedious.
- When nobody should see other people's weights, for example at work.
- When you want every week to stay exciting: weekly winners, duels and badges make the difference between week 2 and week 7.
- When people forget weigh-in day without a reminder.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you run a weight loss challenge in Excel?
Yes. The free template has columns for 8 weigh-ins and the percentage formula. One person has to collect the weights every week.
How much does a weight loss challenge app cost?
Lossboard is free for up to 3 people and €4.99 once for up to 10, paid by the organiser. Many other apps charge a subscription per person.
What is the biggest downside of a spreadsheet?
One person sees every weight and has work to do every week. Weekly winners and duels have to be worked out by hand.
Can I start with a spreadsheet and switch later?
Yes. Create a new challenge in Lossboard and use your current weight as the starting weight.
Create a challenge, drop the link in your group chat and start the race for first place.
No account needed. Free for up to 3 people, participants never pay.
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