How much is the cost of losing weight?

Find out what the Weight Watchers Community had to say about the cost of weight loss vs. the cost of not losing weight. Artoc;e from Weight Watchers.com

Are you concerned about the costs of weight loss? It's true that the costs of changing your food shopping habits and starting an exercise habit can add up. But the costs to your health if you don't lose the weight can be much greater. When people adjust to living a healthier lifestyle, they can change their outlook and spending habits and reap the benefits of both.Find out what the Weight Watchers Community had to say about putting their money where their mouth is.

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 might mean higher grocery prices 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 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 certain health problems, and even help some people use less medication.

Before Weight Watchers, LESSAME62 says she "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!"
Halfway to goal,

MERMADELOVE is feeling better. "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."

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

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."

In the Message Boards, the thread on this topic went on for six pages. 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."