money-related stories
Betting on Weight Loss - Is it a Gamble?
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| Photo: Lisa Kong, sxc.hu |
Earlier this year, we heard about studies that found that some people -- especially men -- were motivated to lose weight when it meant making or losing money. Sites like StickK.com and FatBet allow people to put money where their mouths are -- betting on their ability to take the weight off for good, and workplace bets were becoming popular too. But a new study suggests that when it comes to getting serious about weight loss, money just isn't a factor.
More than 2,400 people -- all overweight or obese -- enrolled in workplace weight loss programs were studied. One group was offered $60 for maintaining weight loss for one year. A second group of folks paid $100, with the promise it would be returned once they lost 5 percent of their weight. A third was told they'd receive $20 just for staying in the program for 12 months.
Recession Fitness - Budget Friendly Workouts
These days, we all want to save money, even when it comes to fitness. Maybe you're trying to make your running shoes and sports bras last a little longer, or maybe you've even had to cancel your gym membership. Just because your wallet might not be as fat as it once was, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your skinny midsection."RecessionWire" has some brilliant suggestions for getting fit on the cheap, no gym required. And no, I'm not talking about parking far away at the grocery store, or running more outside. As the article points out, if that worked for you, you probably wouldn't have joined a gym in the first place, right?
For the full list, you'll need to visit "RecessionWire," but I'm excited to share some of the more surprising (to me, at least) suggestions here!
Get Fit For Free
Given the current economic climate, you're probably trying to pinch your pennies a bit more than usual. But that doesn't mean your healthy habits should suffer -- you can still find great workout inspiration without having to spend tons of money. How? With all the thousands of free fitness videos available on the internet. As the "LA Times" points out, there's no reason why you should be paying for advice when there's so much of it available for nothing. Some recommendations?- Our friends at "Fitsguar" recommend BeYOU.tv, which offers free full-length DVDs covering activities like yoga and Tai Chi.
- Exercise.tv is always a handy, comprehensive source.
- "Fitness" magazine's website offers lots of great tips for the fitness enthusiast.
- Spark People not only has ton of fitness videos, but they have great calorie counting resources too.
- And, of course, our in-house fitness expert Fitz offers tons of great advice in her Fit Kicks Videos.
Is Fitness Stair-ing You In The Face?
When finances are tight, expensive fitness gear is probably a luxury that doesn't make the monthly budget. You might be surprised, then, to hear that each and every day, you're walking right past one of the most effective fitness devices ever invented, a device that you are free to use at will, and one that will surely help you burn off the morning pastry you just downed. I'm talking, of course, about the stairs. Most days, we pretend they don't exist and walk swiftly by in favor of the elevator. You might think there's no point, but research has found that short 10-minute bouts of intense exercise are actually very effective. Plus, taking the stairs can:
- Burn calories (duh!).
- Tone your legs.
- Score an energy boost by getting your blood pumping.
So tomorrow morning, don't walk on by. Conquer the stairs and reap the benefits of this fantastic -- and free -- workout.
Save Money and Cut Calories - Here's How!
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Going out to eat isn't just expensive -- it also costs you a lot of calories. Even when I'm trying to be super healthy at a restaurant, I generally consume considerably more calories in a meal than I would at home. And, let's be honest -- when you're at a restaurant, you don't always want to be super healthy. Sometimes, the entire reason you go to a restaurant is because you're dying to get the shrimp scampi, or you've been thinking about that baked artichoke dip all week long, and nothing else is going to satisfy.
Fortunately, you can make a lot of these dishes at home, where you'll save money and a lot of calories. Check out the gallery for five recipes from the Winter 2009 issue of the Publix GreenWise Market Magazine!
Got a recipe you want us to healthy up for you? Leave it in the comments and we'll do what we can to help!
Add It Up - What's the Cost of Your Unhealthy Habits?
How much are you spending on unhealthy habits every month? Take a minute to add it up.
Healthy Eating - Affordable Where You Live?
I've always lived in a large city, and while I sometimes curse the long line-ups, traffic jams and expensive house prices that come with being in the heart of things, I don't know how I'd get by without having everything I need close by, at my disposal. And I didn't really stop to consider how lucky I was until I read this article on how food costs vary widely across Canada, with rural areas paying up to six times what I would pay for some fresh produce. In fact, according to recent estimates, "47 per cent of Canadians occasionally go without fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grain and dairy products or lean meat or fish because they cost too much. " Yeesh. So nearly half of us can't afford to eat well?
In tough economic times, it's hard to say whether I would still eat bananas if I had to pay $3.54 per lb, rather than $0.59, or if I would be able to splurge on free-range meats and organic snacks over other options. But ultimately, I think it comes down to choice -- I would pinch my pennies to eat fresh produce rather than spend them on junk food. What about you?
10 Essential Diet Basics
Eat a diet full of color
Colorful fruits and vegetables are stocked with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They're low in calories and can help you stay satisfied longer.
Eat whole grains
Unlike white products, whole grains are unrefined products with their nutrients and fiber intact. Make your grains 100% and they'll help you maintain blood sugar levels with less spiking and crashing throughout the day. They'll also keep you satisfied longer.
Eat good fats
Not all fats are bad. Some fats are good for us -- like olive oil instead of butter or margarine, and some nuts and seeds.
Eat often
Start with a hearty breakfast and commit to eating throughout the day to keep your metabolism stable. Aim for three meals a day, plus a few healthy snacks too.
Snack before meals
Snacking before dinner won't ruin your appetite. It may actually help it. Healthy snacking can prevent you from overeating come meal time.
Eat whole, fresh foods
Whenever possible, purchase fresh foods and avoid the pre-packaged items lining the shelves at your local grocery store. These foods are typically higher in calories, fat, and sodium and have depleted nutrients due to preservatives.
Keep moving
Our bodies were designed for movement. And we need daily exercise to keep them strong. Exercise is good for our muscles, our hearts, even our sleep patterns.
Treat yourself
It's OK to indulge once a while. If we don't, deprivation sets in and so might overindulgence. So have your cake -- just have it moderation.
Decipher food labels
Read your labels. And make sure when you review the details you understand whether the calories and fat listed are per serving or for the entire container. And if there's a word you can't pronounce, it's likely something you don't need to ingest.
Beware of liquid calories
One 12-ounce can of regular soda can contain 10 teaspoons of sugar and enough calories to ruin the day. Sure to add weight, these drinks should be replaced with water.
Weight Loss - Is It a Sure Bet When You Put Money on It?
Diet & Weight Loss, Motivation
In today's economy, people are holding on to their money a little tighter. Which might be why wagering on weight loss -- or betting money that you can reach your weight loss goal -- is becoming more popular than ever. After all, if you can't afford to lose your money, then (after placing a bet) you darn well better lose the weight.Recent studies suggest that people really are motivated by money to lose weight. Websites are popping up all over the web to support this trend. At StickK.com, you can bet a certain amount of money against yourself. If you fail, the money goes to the charity of your choice ... and you can even pick one that you hate.
Other sites like FatBet.com don't actually handle the money, but they offer a place for dieters to keep track of each other's progress. The trend seems to be especially popular among co-workers, and even more so among men.
Eating Organic Doubles the Price Of Your Meal
Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
If you buy the groceries in your house, you know that organic foods are a bit more expensive than non-organic foods. But a few extra cents and dollars here and there are a small price to pay for fresh, chemical-free foods, right?Well, not exactly -- According to the New York Times, eating organics doesn't come at a small price. In fact, it can double your grocery bill. For the typical Thanksgiving day dinner: You'll typically be adding $100 to your final toll at the register. That's a bit of a hard number to deal with, particularly with the current economic situation.
This isn't to say that you shouldn't eat organic. Just shop wisely. Check out this post we did a while back listing what you should splurge on and what you should save on.
(via Calorie Lab)
Your Body - All You Need to Get Fit
Times are tough, and money is tight. But that doesn't mean you should slack on your fitness. Forget forking over your cash for a gym membership or saving for that trendy home treadmill. A hot body doesn't need to cost anything at all. FitSugar says you've got the one and only tool you need to get in shape -- yourself. Check out these six moves that will shape and slim you in no time.
Phones Over Food - The Newest Diet Craze?
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
If you had to cut back on expenses and were forced to choose between cutting back on your cell phone minutes and cutting back on food, which would you choose? Virgin Mobile is hoping you choose to cut back on food, which, according to a recent survey of their customers, is what most people prefer.In the survey, 88 percent of the respondents said they'd be dining out less frequently, while 41 percent planned to buy fewer groceries to combat the weak economy. However, just 32 percent planned to cut back where cell phones were concerned. So, in essence, they're willing to give up food before giving up a chance to chat.
I call shenanigans. Here's what I think: People responded this way with good intentions -- maybe, by cutting back on eating out and groceries, they figure they'll eat less junk and consume fewer calories. However, when push comes to shove, and someone's craving ice cream, they're still going to run out to Coldstone and buy that five dollar sundae. But, it raises a good question -- how is the economy affecting your diet?
Can you eat healthy for a dollar a day?
Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
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Is it possible to eat for a dollar a day? Sure, with a little creativity and a lot of planning. But here's a more important question -- is it possible to eat healthy on a dollar a day? You've probably noticed that the cheapest things in the grocery store or mall food court are the unhealthiest things -- items like potato chips, candy bars and deep-fried whatevers will run you far less at the till than things like fresh organic produce, salads and lean cuts of meat. One couple, trying to live on the dollar-a-day diet, is finding that out the hard way.
"We're used to eating some type of vegetable with every meal and fruit every day. Finding out there was very little way to fit that into our budget, that was a huge struggle," says Kerri Leondard of One Dollar Diet Project in the New York Times. You can read more about her struggle here.
What do you think? Is it possible to eat well on a really tight budget?
Economy makes training hard, yet possible
How nice it would be to work out with a trainer. I know this because I've had a trainer before. And I just met with another one the other day at my gym -- I've had a gym membership for almost one year now and had never taken advantage of my two free training sessions. Now, I've got one under my belt and another on the books.
I've got some advice for you: If you can squeeze in a session or two with a trainer, do it. Even if there's no hope of a long-term relationship between you and your own personal expert -- it's not in the cards for me either -- I assure you that just a touch of instruction will do you well. It did me. I learned a few new moves, gained a lot more motivation, worked harder than I normally do and when I walk away from my guy Adam after session #2, I'll have a written prescription for physical fitness -- he's going to write up a customized plan for me to follow for the next four to six weeks, then he recommends I consult some fitness books and other resources so I can mix things up. Now that, I can afford. Think about it -- it might be in your budget too. So might these gallery finds.
Overweight and out of shape? Get a referee
Need help sticking to your diet and fitness goals? Shame might be just the thing that keeps you on track.Give Stickk.com a click and your dreams might become reality. Here's how it works: You'll sign a contract to meet a goal -- losing weight, running a marathon, quitting smoking even. Then you choose a referee, maybe your spouse, a best friend, or a colleague who agrees to track your progress. It's possible to pick yourself as the ref but site statistics indicate this is only 30% effective. Next: Enter in the e-mail addresses of all your supporters (heck, include everyone in your e-mail address book) who will send encouraging messages your way. If your progress falters, the site automatically notifies everyone on your support list.
If public embarrassment is key for keeping you line, this is your site, which happens to have a few other motivating moves you can make. You can commit a sum of money that is either returned to you or donated to charity should you make good on your plans. Slip up and your money goes to an "anti-charity" -- the NRA perhaps, if guns are a no-no for you. Just the thought of that might keep you focused, right?
Sound crazy? Maybe not. About 78% of users who designate a referee and earmark money are successful. Give it a try and see what you think -- it's free. Well, unless you mess up and lose your own money.
Can crime TV make you fat?
Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
Spend too many late nights watching CSI and Law & Order? If you're overweight, these shows might be to blame. Over at Fitsugar, they're talking about new research that shows an interesting connection between your TV habits and your eating and spending habits.
The study, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, found that consumers who had recently been reminded of their own mortality by seeing death on TV spent more money on groceries -- and ate more of those groceries as well. These findings were true of a number of food items, including snack foods like chips and soda, as well as non-snacky groceries like frozen foods, meats and vegetables. For more information on the findings, click here.
