I have lost 60 lbs within the last year and a half. I did it through exercise and a lowfat diet. The benefits and the financial rewards have been great! I no longer have the need to buy plus size clothing (more expensive) or  buy accessories (when you are big you tend to over do it in order to feel better about your self). I have more energy to play with my kids. I also cook healthier meals for my family- this helps me keep the food budget in check and make sure my family stays healthy.

I've lost 50 lbs in the last year and my goal is to lose another 50 this year.  I have been amazed at the difference the weight loss has made in my daily life!  I am hoping that losing another 50 lbs will save me money on insurance, groceries, and the prejudice obese people are subjected to in our society.

www.frugalityonedayatatime.blogspot.com

You see what's really happening here, don't you? Your dollar is worth nothing, your manufacturing jobs and middle class are disappearing and your nickel and diming because other parts of the world can provide goods and services at a lower cost - you are now competing with everyone else in the world - AND YOUR STANDARD OF LIVING IS DROPPING. So what do you do? Try and teach people how to nickel and dime, rather than forcing them to force congress and the Federal government to take the steps necessary to fix the REAL problem to begin with.

The fact is: If you want to consume, you must PRODUCE. As long as you continue to pander to the problem with these silly articles - and allow conditions to continue as your standard of living is slowly but surely eroded over the years - then you can expect this to turn into a third world country - while those countries continue to climb up the economic ladder. The question is: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

JP Rattie (6/21/08; 11:13AM)

Didn't you recently post this same comment on the message board dealing with oil?  Why...?

JP Rattie you are one smart man.  Now that you know that, allow us peons who aren't as intelligent to offer our humble opinions also.  I have been very fortunate that I could eat whatever I want and never have a weight problem.  Combination of genes and not being able to sit still, I think.  Anyway, at one point in my life I taught basic nutrition classes.  Losing weight safely and keeping it off usually requires cutting back (portion control) and increasing physical activity.  It's kind of like a math problem.  Less calories consumed plus more calories burned equals reduction in weight.  Good luck to you Mighty Bargain Hunter!

Okay about the initial savings, but what about the long term financial affects of maintaining a healthy weight? Decreased risk of health problems related to being overweight... Just think... less chance of diabetic needs ie. medications, prosthetics when legs are amputated, wheelchairs, etc.  Less chance of damage to joints from carrying excess weight and needs for surgeries related to heart problems.  Less need for hospitalization... How expensive are hospital stays these days?  Not to mention the loss of productivity while incapacitated. And this means that if we, as a population, are not requiring as much medical attention, then our medical insurance should decrease...   I am a firm believer that health insurance companies should give a free membership to the Y or gym of choice, providing that the insured is using it on a regular basis.  What a concept!  It would be a great incentive to get people to the gym and be more active.  Yep, I'm a nurse and see the end result of some of these problems.