Many companies are starting to encourage their employees to improve their health.  First they restricted smoking in the office and now many are focusing on the overweight crowd.  Where I work, I’m excited to say that I’m going to get paid to lose weight!  Bonus!

While it’s only a few hundred dollars, it’s perfect for me because I wanted to lose weight anyway.  The thought process by employers is that a healthy employee is a more productive employee!  They are more productive because they are sick less and think better when they are in shape!  I know that this is true in my particular case!

So since I’m now getting paid to lose weight, I decided to create a diet and exercise journal that I will post every Friday.  After a shopping run for the needed foods for my diet and a quick design of the journal spreadsheet, next Friday, I’ll post my results.

Okay, One Problem!

When people go on a diet or start to workout, they usually spend more than if they weren’t on a diet.  For example, both Weight Watchers and a gym memberships add to the cost of getting healthy.  My goal during this process is not only to lose weight, but also to spend less money than I would if I weren’t trying to lose weight!

An alternative goal of mine is to make money off of this diet/exercise process by spending less on food.  This is another way that I will indirectly get paid to lose weight.  I expect that I’ll save more money by spending less on food than what my company will pay me if I meet my weight loss goal.

My Process

Basically it’s a simple routine!  I’m going to eat food like eggs, brocolli, beans, oatmeal and other cheap but healthy foods.  As for working out, I’m going to start out with just situps, pushups, and a leg exercise.

My Current Weight

As of today, I’m 5′ 10″ and I weight 247 lbs.

I think it should be pretty interesting seeing my progress on the amount I save in food expenses vs my regular spending.

-MR