FitBet

Inspiration

The inspiration behind FitBet was to create a unique and motivating platform that merges the thrill of gambling with the rewarding journey of fitness. We wanted to build something that would not only encourage users to build good habits but also add a competitive and fun element to it. The idea of "rewarding fitness" in a tangible way led us to this concept.

What it does

FitBet is a web application where users can bet on their own fitness and health goals. Whether it's committing to a diet, a walking regimen, or a consistent workout schedule, FitBet provides a platform to hold users accountable. By putting something on the line, users are more motivated to stick to their goals. The platform is designed to be flexible, with a large scope for incorporating any type of good habit.

How we built it

We built FitBet using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) with Vite for the frontend tooling. Our development process started with a comprehensive design phase, where we created UML and class diagrams, defined MVP features, and designed the UI/UX in Figma.

The frontend was built with React and styled using a combination of Material-UI, ShadCN, and Tailwind CSS for rapid component development and a modern look. For the backend, we used Express.js and Node.js to build the REST API, with Mongoose to model and manage our data in MongoDB. User authentication is handled securely using bcrypt for password hashing and JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for session management.

Challenges we ran into

Our journey was filled with challenges. As a team, we were new to the MERN stack, and setting up the development environment, especially the Node.js backend, took a significant amount of time. We encountered numerous errors during the setup phase, which delayed our progress. Learning new UI libraries like ShadCN and Material-UI on the fly was another hurdle.

Time was our biggest enemy. By the end of the first day, we were behind schedule and had to pull an all-nighter to complete the frontend. The backend proved to be even more challenging, especially configuring it with MongoDB. The pressure and difficulty led to one of our team members giving up, but the rest of us persevered.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Despite the setbacks, we are incredibly proud of what we accomplished. We were able to:

Conceptualize and design a unique application with a strong potential for growth.
Build a complete and functional frontend overnight.
Successfully implement a partial backend with working user registration and login functionality.
Demonstrate resilience and teamwork by pushing through challenges, even after losing a team member.

What we learned

This hackathon was a huge learning experience for us. We gained hands-on experience with the MERN stack, from setting up the environment to deploying a full-stack application. We learned how to quickly adapt and integrate new technologies and libraries like Material-UI and ShadCN. Most importantly, we learned the value of perseverance, time management, and the ability to work together under pressure.

What's next for FitBet

We are excited about the future of FitBet and see a lot of potential for growth beyond this hackathon. Our immediate next steps are to:

Complete the backend implementation, including the core betting and goal-tracking features.
Expand the platform to support a wider variety of habits and goals.
Refine the user interface and user experience based on feedback.
Continue to develop FitBet into a fully-featured application that can help people stay motivated and achieve their goals.