[wayneyeager]

I don't think the premise is bad, but we're pretty good about separating REAL consequences from contrived ones.

Example:

Several years ago, I put a $100 bill in five different envelopes (w/ no return address)... all addressed to a guy I really, really dislike. I gave the envelopes to my housekeeper and told her that every week, we'd measure my weight and compare it to the previous week. If I didn't lose weight during the week, she was to mail one of those envelopes. It worked for 2 weeks, but then I gained 1/2 lb during the 3rd week and I pleaded until she handed over my envelopes.

I think there might be a workable hack here, but it takes courage to make the consequences real and irrevocable.

[pdx]

You should have just given the money to the housekeeper. Than you would, presumably, have been less likely to renege to her face.

Even more fun, make two sets of envelopes, one set of $10 bills and one set of $100 bills. The house keeper always gets an envelope, but your weight determines which one. That way, she's not too disappointed when you succeed, and when you fail, you've at least helped out somebody you like.

[wayneyeager]

Although presumably the idea is not to fail.