Forget carbs -- the newest diet movement is centered on cash. While the corporate sector has pushed weight loss goals with gift card incentives in an effort to drive down health care costs, Web sites like HealthyWage.com have sprung up in an effort to bring that idea to all Americans.
The premise is straightforward: You register and agree to a weight loss challenge in exchange for the possibility of financial gain. Your doctor signs off on your start and end weight and you update HealthyWage on what you're eating and your progress over the course of a year.
In fact, if you're willing to put up $300, you can receive $1,000 if you're able to reduce your body mass index from unhealthy to healthy. Those who invest no money, only time and effort, can win $100 -- and better health.
According to the article in Time, more than 5,000 people have taken the challenge since HealthyWage launched in September. The site uses revenue from advertisers and those who fail to complete the challenge to pay off the winners. The next BMI challenge begins on January 20 and will last for a year.
Besides HealthWage, there's also Stickk, a social networking site where you can pledge how much money you'll donate to a friend, foe or charity if you fail to meet a weight loss goal. The site works on the honor system, though, so users can now cheat themselves and their favorite charities.
If losing weight online feels too impersonal, you have a slate of cooking and weight loss reality shows to help you get in shape this year. The St. Petersburg Times has a list of shows -- including Thintervention and MasterChef (which has auditions in Kansas City on January 17) -- which likely innvolve cash and prizes, in addition to the potential for reality fame. Which can't be given a cash value.
Or you can simply rely on the diet bet, wherein you challenge your neighbor or spouse in a good old-fashioned weight loss-off.
[Image via Flickr: ivan walsh]
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I have been using Healthywage.com since before Thanksgiving, I think it was a major contributor to my lack of weight gain over the holidays. It calculates activity calories burned along with calorie intake. So I know when I need to burn a few more calories. Love this site. Also I may get payed at the end of the year.
I have been on Healthywage.com since before Thanksgiving, I think it contributed to the lack of weight gain over the holidays...it calculates the burn of activities and food intake, so if you so it right you will knoe what calories go in and what calories are used.. It is great.. plus in my get payed at the end of the year.
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