Losing Weight is Expensive!!!

Who'd have ever thought you'd find an article on weight management in the financial section? A recent article from Bankrate.com on MSN Money notes just how expensive it is to lose weight, in the United States, anyway. With all the fitness trends, fad diets, dieting books and dieting systems (the Zone, the Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig are a few) out there, it's easy to get caught up in the latest new weight-loss product--especially considering how notorious Americans are for being overweight.

A closer look at the article reveals that all these weight loss gimmicks and schemes are shrinking our wallets, not necessarily our waistlines. What may seem like a few dollars here and there can really add up, especially for those of us with more than a few pounds to drop.

I've always been a big fan of the outdoors. I'm an even bigger proponent of being thrifty. In fact, one of the main reasons my husband and I dropped our gym membership was to save money. Although our combined membership at our local YMCA was only around $80 a month, that was still over $1,000 a year we were spending that could be better used elsewhere...like a 401(k). We figured that by running around our local park, which was approximately 3.5 miles in diameter, even if we spent money on proper running attire we'd still be saving around $800 a year.

Until we moved away from the YMCA and had to consider the great outdoors as our main workout arena, we hadn't considered the financial aspects of fitness. My guess is that most people don't. Most folks probably aren't aware of how much--or how little, in some cases--bang for the buck they get when they invest in the weight loss industry.

People know what they're getting for the cost of a gym membership--they can see the fitness equipment, the classes, the fluffy white towels and what have you. They also tend to associate the cost of weight loss programs with the meals, many of which are pre-made, they must purchase.

Others recognize the less tangible things they pay for, such as the support system offered through weekly meetings at Weight Watchers. Accountability makes all the difference for some people, and some are willing to pay for it. For those with more disposable income, the convenience of not having to cook or even having the ready-to-eat meals delivered right to the front door is worth paying for.

For me the only thing that ever worked was good old fashioned exercise, coupled with eating healthfully--meaning plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lots of water...and the occasional indulgence. I didn't go out of my way to spend any extra dough on food. I spent only a moderate amount on workout wear to suit running outdoors. I did spend over $100 on running shoes though. That was an expense I was happy to assume given the hundreds of miles--no, really, hundreds--I ran in them. Plus, it was money I would've spent anyway in addition to my gym membership had I kept it.

Whether you choose to spend your fitness dollars on new running shoes, a gym membership or pre-made dinners from the latest weight loss program, keep in mind that fitness costs money--whether it's a little or a lot depends on you. And, if your wallet feels a little tapped, consider this: spending a little money now on fitness could save you tons later in medicine, treatments and hospital bills.