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Get Paid for Weight Loss?
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How much weight would you lose for 7 dollars?
Well, according to a new study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, $7 is enough incentive for most people to drop at least a few pounds. Really?!? All it takes is seven bucks?
The survey was based on 200 employees at several North Carolina colleges. Participants were paid for weight loss -- either $14, $7 or no incentive at all to lose weight over three months. The outcome? Those who were paid more obviously lost more, but those offered just $7 lost an average of 3 pounds!
This is all part of research being done to see how companies can reduce health care costs -- and obesity is a HUGE health care problem.
Isn't it amazing what the power of money can do? People generally want to lose weight, but most need that little extra push. Imagine if the payouts had been even larger...
So we want to know: Would $7 motivate you to lose weight? How much moolah it take to inspire you to drop pounds? Comment below and let us know!
And if your company won't pay you to lose weight, here's 10 ways to save money and drop pounds on your own!
Labels: study, weight-loss
Comment by 
said... - Sunday, October 28, 2007 11:42:00 PM
I would love to lose weight and get paid for it, who wouldn't right. I'd be happy getting $1.00 for every pound i lose, now that's a challenge.
Comment by said... - Monday, October 29, 2007 1:37:00 AM
i think a dollar a pound is awesome, but keeping it off is the key, i think a monthly weigh in would help me keep it off, (that will cost too :)
Comment by 
Sharalee said... - Monday, October 29, 2007 3:40:00 AM
A local HMO is starting a new program with the new year - they have a list of healthy lifestyle choices, changes, actions, etc (including daily exercising, going to nutrition classes, and yes, losing weight along with other things like not smoking and going to annual exams) and as you complete these things you check them off and they actually send you cash... you can save it up or get it as you go. The maximum amount annually is somewhere around $500 PER PERSON (or was it adult?) anyway, it sounded like the best idea I've EVER seen come out of an HMO...
Comment by said... - Monday, October 29, 2007 11:40:00 AM
It would be very nice to get paid to lose weight Most people really can't afford to have a personal trainer or spend alot of money on losing weight We need all the help we can get and it is nice to see the end results
Comment by ihrenes said... - Monday, October 29, 2007 8:20:00 PM
well, I would LOVE to make some money but I cant afford to lose one pound!
what about those people who are on the opposite side? can we get paid too ?????
I feel discriminated...
still... here is an idea:
I can show you how to eat as much as you want and still NOT gain a pound...
All being super healthy...and you can pay me for it too!
Less than any trainner you find out there. cause I am a living example of what I am preaching here.
and I will help you change your life and just be fabolous, love the food you eat and get healthy all in one!
e-mail me.
ihrenes@yahoo.com
Comment by said... - Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:53:00 AM
I need to lose the last 10-13 pounds - a couple hundred bucks would do it for me!
Comment by said... - Friday, November 02, 2007 7:58:00 PM
I still have a lot of weight to lose and the food program I am on is expensive. For me to lose the rest of the (130 pounds)getting help with the Slim Fast plan would do it for me. :0) That would help me stay on track.
gretch130@hotmail.com
Comment by said... - Monday, November 05, 2007 11:47:00 AM
I heard about a hospital group in IN that is going to start penalizing unhealthy staff members (i.e. those who smoke,have high cholesterol or blood pressure or are obese). They will have a penalty deducted from their pay until they are at a healthy weight, stop smoking, etc. That would keep me as motivated as mailing me a check...
Comment by Saylor said... - Thursday, December 06, 2007 8:39:00 AM
Tell me this how does a housewife going through early menopause who is disabled and on an extremely low income eat the proper food and exercise? I bet there is no solutin is ther ? Because I just cant afford all the fruit and vegetables.I can barely afford beans and rice!
Comment by VelvetChick said... - Thursday, December 06, 2007 9:55:00 AM
That housewife that is disabled and can't afford beans and rice -- can't you get food stamps? Welfare????
Comment by 
sassinoogis said... - Wednesday, January 09, 2008 3:39:00 PM
I am in nearly the same boat as the housewife...I go to work everyday, my husband has no luck with the job market right now (that's a story in itself) and I have two children. I, too, would love to lose weight, but cannot afford to buy healthful food and if I do buy it, it must be in small quantities which means you eat less, lowering your metabolism. No, welfare cannot help me--I make too much, but barely. What do you do then?
Comment by said... - Sunday, January 13, 2008 4:10:00 PM
I really do not think that the money given/offered for weight loss was the actual incentive.
I think those who were successful in losing weight did so because of an unconsious commitment to lose weight (by agreeing to sign up and weigh in) and they felt that it was important to live up to that commitment.
The money they "earned" by losing weight turned out to be the "gravy" they didn't eat while on program!!
Comment by RxPop said... - Friday, January 18, 2008 1:58:00 AM
Despite what you may have heard, losing weight isn’t a incomprehensible process. In fact, weight loss doesn't even have to include odd diets, uncommon exercises or even the use of medication or fitness equipment. So what is the secret to losing weight effectively? Simply make minor changes each and every single day and you'll slowly but surely lose extra unwanted weight, pound by pound.
Secrets to Weight Loss
To lose a sinlge pound, you must burn approximately 3500 calories above what you already burn while conducting daily activities. That sounds impossible doesn't it? Well, it’s not. Here's how simple it is.
1. Calculate your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate). Your BMR is what your body needs to maintain normal functions like breathing and digestion.
2. Calculate your activity level. Use a calorie calculator to figure out how many calories you burn while doing various things like sitting, standing, exercising, etc. throughout the day.
3. Closely monitor of how many calories you eat. Use a food journal to add up what you eat and drink each and every single day. If you're eating less calories than you're burning, you will lose weight.
Focusing your attention on daily changes is the best way to reach your weight loss goals. Don’t expect to lose weight overnight. Instead expect to lose weight gradually over time. To lose weight gradually over time, is to lose weight the healthy way. When attempting to lose weight it’s important that you always remember, your Health is more important than your Appearance!
Comment by said... - Sunday, March 01, 2009 8:25:00 AM
$7.00 a pound sign me up. And with all your articles maybe this time it would work! It really sounds like a great plan but most people need more than money to keep going. I know from experience if you don't have a support system in play most people will not follow through.
Comment by said... - Monday, April 27, 2009 8:49:00 PM
That's ironic that you ask ~when I was in high school I decided to go on a diet ~thought I'd lose around 20 lbs. My Dad as motivation offered me $10 per pound of weight loss. It took about a year but I lost 62 lbs! Went from a size 12/14 to a 4/5! My Dad had to shell out 620.00!! Which was great for the new wardrobe that was needed:) I usually ate a light breakfast, whatever was served for lunch at school, and for supper usually chicken, rice and veggies.I never ate past 6/7 pm. Drank diet soda, milk and water. Once a week I would treat myself to a quarter pounder with cheese from McDonald's and a Payday candy bar. I didn't have a regular exercise routine ~just kept myself busy and off the couch:)
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