 Weight loss makes cents, too
Weight loss doesn't have to be expensive. For example, it doesn't cost anything to find food ideas online or take walks around your neighborhood. Some of us, though, really need extra help and that help generally has a cost to it.
Maybe you just need a little extra help, such as a support group, which is typically inexpensive. Or perhaps you need significant help such as one-on-one counseling or training. This can be a substantial investment.
You may be finding it difficult to justify this cost. After all, why don't you have enough "will-power" to do it on your own? Well, let's take a better look at the whole economic picture.
The question you need to consider is: what happens if you don't fix your weight? What happens if you can't do it on your own and you don't invest in some help and you stay stuck where you are? I'd like to share a few points to keep in mind.
Personally, I stayed stuck just long enough to get a diagnosis of diabetes. This is a diagnosis that has no actual "cure," which means that I will live with it for the rest of my life. Although my actual medical chart says my diabetes is "under control and resolved," it is not "cured." So for me the actual economic impact of staying stuck just long enough is a lifetime of higher insurance premiums.
When you take care of yourself, you get sick less often. Your immune system is stronger, you sleep better and you have more energy to get up and go throughout the day. This means fewer trips to the doctor, less medicine, both prescription and over the counter, fewer sick days and greater productivity at work. All of this equates to less expense and higher income.
Many folks develop medical issues as they age. Staying fit and healthy will put you in a better position to avoid them. You are less likely to suffer a fall, cardiovascular disease, stroke, etc. All of these can be costly medical expenses. Also, if you and your spouse are healthier and one of you falls ill, the other is more likely to be able to act as caregiver. This can save you the expense of having to pay for this help. It will also give you a better chance of being able to recover in your own home rather than a nursing home environment which is costly and much less pleasant.
So, if you are feeling that you need a little (or a lot) of help on your weight loss journey and are wondering if you can afford to get it, perhaps the question should be: how can you afford not to?
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