It is important to not only focus on the costs of a health program but also on the success rate of it.
You are probably expecting me to charge out of the gate, high and mighty, proclaiming that continuing to live unhealthy will be more costly to you. That would be arrogant and I am here to give you useful knowledge with science backed evidence and logic to support whatever the conclusion may be.
To begin, let’s explore what you value
When we are speaking about dollars and life longevity, health, and losing adipose tissue, it is rather difficult to place an actual US dollar value on one’s life. That is what the investment and what you expect the return to be. But if one spends $3,000-$6,000 over a 6-12 month period and returns to a healthy state, how much additional time should they expect here on earth?
Many of you are one of millions of people who have spent money on expensive weight loss plans only to be disappointed and frustrated when they don’t work.
I always recommend that clients not only focus on the costs of the health program but also on the success rate of the program.
It does not matter how much a weight loss or health program costs if it doesn’t give you any results.
A study performed by the Global Health Institute at Duke University found the average price per pound lost on a weight loss program ranges from about $77-$169. Based on current science, and the generally accepted fat loss rate of 1-2lbs per week, the makes weight loss programs cost approximately $600-$1,350 each month. These programs are designed to last 6 months or longer.
This is where you have to do some homework and make sure that specific program is the right fit and provides you the services and tools you need to succeed. There should be a thorough intake interview and assessment for both health and lifestyle information. At 413 HandF, once we enroll our clients and set them up in all of our systems, we assign each of them their own personal trainer, dietitian, and lifestyle coach. Not only does this provide a broad field of industry expertise, but also provides them with every tool needed to successfully treat their mind, body, and spirit.
Other options include: Weight watchers; Noom; Nutrisystem: or Jenny Craig.
Weight loss surgery is always a last resort. It cost approximately $20,000-$25,000. There are very few weight loss programs that are not in a hospital setting or university environment that handle these very high-risk cases. We are one of the few health and fitness companies that specializes in caring for and treating these individuals at this very critical point in their life.
Let’s look at some data and pivot to what it cost to remain unhealthy and overweight
A study conducted at The George Washington University Department of Health Policy Research titled; A Heavy Burden: The Individual Costs of Being Overweight and Obese in the United States; found the annual costs of being obese are approximately $4,879 for an obese woman and $2,646 for an obese man. Furthermore, the costs for obese individuals are 15 times higher than total costs of overweight individuals, irrespective of gender and employment status.
Let’s now take a look at what we are really talking about here and it isn’t all the data you just read. That has a small part to play, but we know that humans only make changes when the perceived risk of staying in their current state seems worst than the actual change itself.
You are not trading currency for fat tissue when you go through a weight loss program. Here is what you are paying for and what you should place on the other side of the scale where your money rest. Studies show that obesity can cause other comorbidities like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, gall bladder disease, gout, stroke, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. Successfully completing a weight loss program will reduce the effects or eliminate many of these illnesses.
More importantly, here’s what you are really paying for
Self-confidence. A sense of grace toward yourself. Less body and joint pain. Improved overall health. Being able to move and do, being able to play with your kids or grandkids. Being in control of your health. Not having a fear of food. Getting rid of food obsessions. Never yo-yo dieting again. Learning not to restrict a food group. Acquiring patience and no longer using detoxes and wasting your money. Finally, no longer having to feel like being perfect every day is the only way you will ever be able to reach your health goals and finally lose the weight.
After reflecting on your own goals and desires: is it less expensive to remain unhealthy or should you invest in your health and fitness?
