Financial Incentives Boost Weight Loss
Losing weight is not easy. The simple phrase of "eat less and move more" is not so simple in the real world where food is readily available 24/7, inexpensive, and in such large portions! Our multitasking lives lead us to eat on the run, skip meals, and leave physical activity at the bottom of the "to-do" list. A recipe for the dreaded "weight creep". We know what to do to lose weight (many of us are walking calorie counters), but can't seem to keep it together for the long term.
A new study from the Journal of the American Medical Association has shed some light on a motivator supporting a weight loss effort, at least for the short term: money.
Three groups were given the task of losing 16 pounds in 16 weeks (that's a pound a week, which is realistic and manageable with moderate effort). One group had no financial motivation and lost an average of 4 pounds in 16 weeks. The other two groups had financial motivation, and lost three times more weight: An average of about 13-14 pounds.
The big question: Could they keep the weight off? Even the financially motivated groups regained some weight in follow up, after the active study was completed (the money phase was done), but weighed less than when they started.
While many diet studies don't easily translate to our real world lives, this one can. Create your own financial incentive to help stay on track. Here are my suggestions:
Set some reasonable goals, and "reward" yourself with a quarter, or a dollar, or whatever amount you choose when meeting your daily goals. These might include a 30 minute walk, 5 daily fruits and vegetables, or sticking to non/low-calories beverages.
Establishing your "weight loss account" for a purchase of a special indulgence—like a manicure, massage, cosmetic, running shoes, DVD, or whatever is a treat to you—can both jump start your initial effort, and help keep you on track for the long term.
How do you stick to your weight loss plan? Would a little extra cash help you drop a little weight? Leave a comment!
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What a great idea! It's like a personal "Biggest Loser" - thanks for sharing.
I have actually been doing this for myself, but also created a "family points" system to encourage my hubby and daughter to eat healthier. (Neither of them are overweight - but neither eat very well either!)
So I reward things like, 25 cents per veggie / fruit eaten daily - goal is to reach 5 a day... 5 cents per glass of water, protein serving, etc., and then $1 per half hour of exercise.
Average is about $10 a week paid out each, but we don't eat out anymore, so I'd rather put the rewards to each of us, then we can "buy what we want". It's helped me lose 30 pounds so far!
i don't belive this diete i think cause we can lost some weight when we don't eat breakfast we don't drink coke or juce and when we don't e3at cake or sweets we must to eat just one time in the day just in lunch with this diete i lost about 5 weight for 1 week
ai kush i bgeson kto kotesira si qekjo kjeeee a po kejsh a po kajsh hahhahaha
Its really good to know about the weight loss program upto nearly 16 pounds in 16 weeks..See online reviews to decide which diet program will fit your specific needs and goals.
Thanks for the interesting article, that is a novel approach for weight loss. I will have to pass that on to my readers.
I want to lose fifty pounds.
SEEMS THAT IS SOMETHING WORTH TRYING. I'LL SET A QUARTER TO MY SAVINGS FOR EACH ACCOMPLISHMENT DAILY--EXERCISE AND DIET GOAL MET FOR THE DAY , 8 GLASSES WATER, AND DESTRESS TIME .
MAYBE I CAN GET RICH WHILE GETTING FIT.
Yes I could handle being paid to lose weight. People on a small limit budget is hare to have what they need
PLEASE HELP
I have done everything to lose weight and still keep gaining weight.
i have done everthing to loss weight but my weight keep gaining weight.
pl's help me. u give me some advise.
give me sum advice 2 stay fit
give me sum advice 2 stay fit
People who want to try acai fruit supplements for weight loss must consult wikipedia article on the subject. It is too expensive for the use described and the results are not evaluated.
Get Diabetic. Trust me, that's a BIG incentive to lose weight.
This really does work. I lost 115 lbs in 8 months, and won $1100.00 at work. Took my kids to SeaWorld and wore my new 2 piece bathing suit:)
Hit the gym Drop soda, white bread, ALL fried food. The Subway diet is good - but READ the menu.
I've kep most of it off (100 lbs) for 2 years now.
I like this idea very much and I will try
it. I don't know why, but I think it will
work. Just thinking about it I feel happy.
I will pay myself 20 $ for every kg I will
loose and every day for walking, eating healthy and drinking 2 l water 5 $ - I will pay with this money my Gymnastic lessons and once a week I will go in the
Sauna to get rid of the toxins
Thanks for this great advice and Good work to all - Doris from Austria/Greece
i want to be fit and healthy and strong body
EVERYTHING I DO IT TO BE LESS MAY WEIGHT BUT STILL MAY WEIGHT NOT CHANGING ,PLS CAN YOU GIVE ME A GOOD SUM ADVICE AND THE BEST SOLUTION TO LOSS WEIGHT.
I believe that a financial goal/challenge is exactly what some people need.. My best friend and I (check out our blog: http://twofatchix.blogspot.com/ )have a challenge going right now - if we reach our goals, we have to buy each other a gift certificate for a spa!
I think this is a great idea. I live on a fixed income and deny myself so much. This will make me feel I'm worth the effort I put in. I deserve a reward. Thanks
I've found that the best way to lose weight starts at the grocery store; don't buy processed food-stay away from cold cuts, bacon, soda, candy,etc. stick to the produce section and pick lean meat. Avoid eating fast food and try to replace soda with water. Cut calories a little here and there and do it everyday. Swap salty snacks with fruits or veggies. Eat oatmeal when you still feel hungry (it fills you up). Finally, exercise- but if you can't seem to stick to an exercise plan, incorporate activities like Wii Fit or other active Wii games (if you have one), while watching music videos dance with them, or dance to your favorite music. Also , do some strengthening exercises to build muscle and burn more fat. You may lose weight more quickly by going on diets or not eating at all but it will only come back if you don't learn to live a healthy and more active lifestyle.
TLC.com had a great program for 6 weeks with Paul McKenna. He taught everyone to EAT when they are physically hungry...and STOP eating when they are full, not stuffed. I lost 20 pounds in the first 3 months and have kept it off. Now I go to the gym 5 days a week. I combine cardio and weights 4 of those days and just do cardio the other day. I eat very healthy and allow myself to have treats. I have learned in the 26 years that I have been "dieting"...that it is a CHOICE you have to make but it has to be YOUR choice...no one can do it for you. I didn't get to be 195lbs overnight and I know that I won't lose it overnight either. It is a journey, but it is a journey I am willing to make for the sake of my life!!! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE in their own personal journey.
Well..people who want to try acai fruit supplements for weight loss must consult wikipedia article on the subject. It is too expensive for the use described and the results are not evaluated.
Well...people who want to try acai fruit supplements for weight loss must consult wikipedia article on the subject. It is too expensive for the use described and the results are not evaluated.
Well...people who want to try acai fruit supplements for weight loss must consult wikipedia article on the subject. It is too expensive for the use described and the results are not evaluated.
Well...people who want to try acai fruit supplements for weight loss must consult wikipedia article on the subject. It is too expensive for the use described and the results are not evaluated.
Please help, i still getting more and more weight
I am getting fat each day too
Well yeah offer me a good amount of money or some kind of incentive and I guarantee I'd lose the weight. nothing like a little incentive to get u going. But I can't reward
myself. How can I put aside my own money and reward myself with it for sticking to my diet? I mean, obviously It's my money, so if I feel like using it I can use it. Now get someone ELSE to offer me something and for sure I'd do it.