Rolling into the Game Informer office after the holidays, several editors felt the repercussions of too many cookies, pies, and other assorted treats. So instead of just making an empty resolution that we’d quit after three days, five of us decided to make it interesting.

Annette, Dan, Jeff Cork, Meagan, and I have made a wager in which the first person to lose 25 pounds receives a video game from each of the other contestants. Every Monday we’ll weigh in using Wii Fit Plus to verify how everyone’s coming along. Since it’s such a large amount to lose, we’re expecting the contest to last several months before a victor is determined.

Keep an eye on the blog section if you’re interested in tracking our progress or if you’d like to share some of your own New Year’s fitness resolutions. To start off, I asked all of my rivals to share why they were interested in losing to me in this competition. I’ll start:

Bryan
It's the time of year for resolutions and I've wanted to get more active for a while now. The problem has always been incentive. Why would I work out in my free time when I could do absolutely anything else? I even put a TV in my exercise room to sweeten the pot, but that didn't work either. The competitive nature of this competition is just what I need to really get going on this. I just picture the slack jawed look on everyone's faces at weigh in when I totally destroy them.

Annette
This is something I've been thinking about for a while. For a few months last year I'd start some hardcore diet and routine, and quit within two weeks. I did this repeatedly. With this competition I'm really looking forward to losing a few extra pounds, eating better and just being more active overall. This whole thing originated after Dan and I talked about weight loss goals for the year and figured the best way to encourage us gamers to lose weight is to, well, make it competitive. News spread of what we were doing around the office and next thing I knew there were five of us weighing in with Wii Fit to kick off the competition. Chocolate started "mysteriously" appearing on my desk the past couple days courtesy of my competitors. Things are going to get ugly.

Dan
I spent two weeks back at home over the holidays, during which I exclusively ate crappy food and drank a lot with old friends. From what I hear, this is not healthy. I think the moment that sealed the deal was when my grandpa looked at my gut, said "I wouldn't even want to be in a car with you! What the sam hell's the matter with you?" and then put his ear up to my stomach and made baby sounds. This is not something that is supposed to happen, so I knew it was time to get in shape.

Jeff Cork
Through a patented combination of excess and sloth, I've managed to bulk up nicely over the past few years. It's been ridiculously fun, but it's probably not the most healthy way to live. Also, I like to get free games. Looking at who I'm up against, it's basically a done deal. The competitive angle definitely helps.

Meagan
I work out nearly every morning and, for the most part, eat pretty healthy. But there is always room for improvement. Especially when you plan on cosplaying as LeeLoo Dallas from The Fifth Element at SDCC this year. Belly shirts = scary. Initially I was a bit hesitant to join the 25lbs club. I tried to create a second-tier group interested in losing a cosmetic 15lbs, but when no one was found I decided to jump on board. I'm a bit competitive. I don't know if I will (or want to) lose the full 25lbs, but the way I see it, the competition is a way for me to trim down a bit with the support of some friends. I am a big proponent of healthy body images and being comfortable in your skin, so I am okay losing the competition if I am uncomfortable dropping the full 25. But I will take it day by day and see how it goes.