So why does money talk when the promise of better health may not? “Financial incentives work because of the immediate positive feedback they offer, whereas the other perks of physical activity—health, longevity, a more attractive appearance—are usually delayed,” says study author Marc Mitchell, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. While that makes sense, you may be left wondering: Who on Earth will actually pay me to work out? As it turns out, several sites are devoted to just that. Here are three options:
- Diet Bet: On this site you can either join an existing group or create your own with friends. To start, everyone puts money—as little as $25—into a pot. Whoever loses 4% of their starting weight within four weeks is considered a winner and splits the pot.
- Healthy Wage: Here, you can choose from two different individual weight-loss challenges: The 10% Challenge in which you pay $150 upfront and get paid $300 if you lose 10% of your body weight in six months; and The BMI Challenge in which you pay either $100 or $300 upfront and receive either $300 or $1000 if you go from a BMI over 30 to one below 25 within a year.
- Stickk: This site motivates you with the risk of losing money as opposed to the promise of winning. First you set a health goal (e.g. how much weight you’d like to lose per week), then you designate an amount of money your credit card will be charged if you don’t meet it.
While these sites can definitely be a motivator, make sure you have a plan in place for after you meet your goal so you can keep up your healthy habits, says Jessica Bartfield, MD, bariatrician at the Loyola Center for Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Care. “Continue to set new goals—like competing in a race or trying a new fitness class—and treat yourself to mini rewards when you meet them, such as new gym clothes, a massage, or a song download to fire up your next workout.”
More from Prevention: What’s Missing From Your Weight Loss Plan
