The Cost of Obesity

This is not exactly the "wake up" call that I was looking for this morning, but perhaps the one I needed. This article was on the Weightwatcher's newsletter sent out to potential members.

What Is Your Weight Costing You?
Article By: Diana Kelly

A Community user posted this question on the 200+ Pounds to Lose message board: "So many times we think about what getting healthy is costing us—time and money planning meals and buying healthy food, exercising, etc. But what would it cost us not to do those things, if we remained just as we are? Which is the higher price?"

Cut shopping cart costs.
Those first few shopping trips after joining Weight Watchers can seem daunting and expensive. Ridding your kitchen of junk food and stocking it with healthy fare will probably cost more than your regular weekly shopping trip. But if you've already committed yourself to losing weight, why keep tempting foods in your home?

MARTHA3825 says, "I still have to argue with myself, to convince myself that I'm worth the price of fresh fruit and veggies." But, she adds, "My newfound sense of self-confidence and energy makes it all totally worthwhile."

Community users also agree that making meals at home is cheaper than eating out. PERKINSCL started bringing lunch to work. "A whole-grain [loaf of bread] and a package of turkey, for over a week's worth of lunches, costs less than two fast-food meals."

Live a long and healthy life.
You know the cliché saying about eating an apple and staying out of the doctor's office? Well, there's some truth to that. Making wise food choices and losing weight can help improve symptoms of certain health problems and even help some people use less medication.

Before Weight Watchers, LESSAME62 "would use oxygen on a daily basis in order to walk anywhere. I haven't lost a great deal of weight, but I can walk more before I need to rest, and without oxygen. Whatever the cost money-wise is worth it. I'm lighter and feeling great."

LORELI115 says, "Seven prescription medications for various medical ailments before I lost weight were about $70 a month and [additional] doctor visits were approximately $300 a month. I'm more than willing to pay the price for healthier foods!"

MERMADELOVE is feeling better halfway to goal. "I noticed a huge difference. I breathe more easily when I sleep, my back problems have gone way down, I don't get as many migraines as I used to and I can move and dance again. That, to me, is priceless."

"When my husband complains about the cost of 'healthy' food, my response is, 'It's cheaper than a heart attack,'" says REBELGIRL1972.

Improve your personal life.
SONIYA1976 says her improved health is worth the added cost. "I am paying for a trainer, gym memberships and the slightly higher cost of portion-controlled food—because I just don't trust myself yet—but I spent years spending way too much on fast food, junk food and eating out. When I took a hard look at my finances, the added cost of working out and eating healthy will be nothing compared to the unhealthy way I lived before."

This thread went on for six pages, and CATHOLICCOUG summed it up after reading users' responses: "I think it is awesome to stop and think that losing weight does cost us something—money and time—but not losing can cost so much more. As so many people have pointed out, it can cost you self-respect, promotions, money, life experiences and life itself. We can do this! Whatever the cost, we can do it. The payoff in the end will be huge."