Lose Weight, Earn Cash

Download a printable PDF version of this file here

Lose Weight, Earn Cash
from USA Weekend
by Jorge Cruise

Get paid to lose weight! Sounds like a scam, doesn’t it?
But some corporations are paying people to get fit,
because it saves them money in the long run.

And it works. Researchers at Southeast Missouri State
University found that a workplace incentive program
with even a small monetary reward can have a significant
impact on weight-loss success.

Doctors are getting in on the act, too. To encourage his
patients, Joseph, Chemplavil, M.D., of Hampton, Va., pays
them a dollar for each pound they take off within one year.
If they gain, they pay him. Eighty percent of patients on the
incentive program lost weight; the biggest “loser” shed 35
pounds. How about paying yourself to get fit? According
to the journal Medicine & Science in sports & Exercise,
inactivity costs $670 to $1,125 per person per year.
Keeping fit will save you money on health care, and
you won’t have to buy new pants when you “outgrow”
the old ones.

How can you create your own cash incentives? A few ideas:
1) Recruit friends. Find others who want to lose weight,
and set up a kitty. When anyone loses a pound, he or she
contributes a dollar to the “Spa Fund.” When the deadline
arrives, whoever has lost the biggest percentage of body
weight wins the pot... and a massage.

2) Get sponsored. People raise cash for great causes by
completing distance races, so start a “weight-loss marathon.”
Commit to losing 26 pounds. Ask friends and family to pledge
$1 to $5 per pound lost. When you reach your goal, donate
your earnings to charity or throw your earnings to charity or
throw your support team a party.

3) Talk to your employer. IBM offers employees a $150 one-time
bonus if they commit to exercising three times a week for 10
weeks. Other employers underwrite gym memberships or hire
fitness instructors for on-site classes. Show your boss the stats --
obesity costs U.S. companies an estimated $13 billion a year --
and she’ll be likelier to support an incentive program.


*Wholesale Pedometers for Group Walking Programs*
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	Walking Articles
	Download a printable PDF version of this file here Lose Weight, Earn Cash from USA Weekend by Jorge Cruise Get paid to lose weight! Sounds like a scam, doesn’t it? But some corporations are paying people to get fit, because it saves them money in the long run. And it works. Researchers at Southeast Missouri State University found that a workplace incentive program with even a small monetary reward can have a significant impact on weight-loss success. Doctors are getting in on the act, too. To encourage his patients, Joseph, Chemplavil, M.D., of Hampton, Va., pays them a dollar for each pound they take off within one year. If they gain, they pay him. Eighty percent of patients on the incentive program lost weight; the biggest “loser” shed 35 pounds. How about paying yourself to get fit? According to the journal Medicine & Science in sports & Exercise, inactivity costs $670 to $1,125 per person per year. Keeping fit will save you money on health care, and you won’t have to buy new pants when you “outgrow” the old ones. How can you create your own cash incentives? A few ideas: 1) Recruit friends. Find others who want to lose weight, and set up a kitty. When anyone loses a pound, he or she contributes a dollar to the “Spa Fund.” When the deadline arrives, whoever has lost the biggest percentage of body weight wins the pot... and a massage. 2) Get sponsored. People raise cash for great causes by completing distance races, so start a “weight-loss marathon.” Commit to losing 26 pounds. Ask friends and family to pledge $1 to $5 per pound lost. When you reach your goal, donate your earnings to charity or throw your earnings to charity or throw your support team a party. 3) Talk to your employer. IBM offers employees a $150 one-time bonus if they commit to exercising three times a week for 10 weeks. Other employers underwrite gym memberships or hire fitness instructors for on-site classes. Show your boss the stats -- obesity costs U.S. companies an estimated $13 billion a year -- and she’ll be likelier to support an incentive program.	WALKING ARTICLE INDEX Click here Other articles: *BETTER WAY TO REDUCE BODY FAT* Interval exercise is more effective. Click here. *MANPO-KEI* The Japanese count on it. Do you? Click here. WORKPLACE WELLNESS Businesses are improving their bottom line by developing wellness programs for employees. Click here. MORE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE Hints for accurate step counts. Click here. *WARNING TO WALKERS: PEDOMETERS CAN BE INACCURATE* Even the most expensive pedometers aren't always accurate. Click here. *10 MISTAKES TO AVOID* You've been walking almost your whole life. Are you really doing it right? Click here. *MOTIVATION TO GET MOVING* We all know exercise is good for us. Why aren't we doing it? Click here. *BIG STEPS TOWARD CURBING OBESITY IN KIDS* An increase in activity helps kids lose weight and pedometers can help reach that goal. Click here *MEASURE YOUR STRIDE* An easy way to measure your stride for programming into your pedometer. Click here.