The Cost of Losing Weight

I came across an interesting article that took a look at the actual average cost of each pound lost. I had a feeling with the constant media pressure to be thin, combined with the "easy fix all" approaches of plastic surgery, promising diet pills and expensive workout programs, the result would be high. However, I was shocked to see the results of the study and realize just how much money we're willing to spend to look good.

The survey, used 2000 women (average age 23), found every pound shed will cost about $1660. The study took gym memberships, exercise tapes, supplements and food into account as well. In addition the research concluded over a lifetime, women average over $300,000 in weight loss products. The study continues to spit out disturbing facts about diet habits among the women studied.

I find the amount of money women spend on weight loss disturbing and selfish. Our society is incredibly fast paced and impatient, and now so are our health plans. Fast methods of weight loss are more publicized than the traditional exercise and balanced nutrition. With all the healthy means we've learned in health class growing up, it's disturbing that women are still turning to potentially dangerous pills, harmful habits and expensive promises.

The quote from More Magazine's editor on the study hits the nail on the head-

The reason young women can’t lose weight is because they equate dieting with not eating. They look at celebrities like Victoria Beckham and think the only way she could possibly achieve such a tiny frame is by not eating. As a result, whole generations of women have a dysfunctional eating pattern of endless mini starvation diets.

While there are means of healthy dieting, the term has now become synonymous with skipping meals, stocking up on diet pills and signing on to expensive weight loss programs. And while being health conscious and striving for a healthy lifestyle is admirable, its important to be mindful of the amount of money you're putting to this "good cause".

What do you think? How much money is too much, and where do you draw the line between going too far and accepting yourself for who you are?