We already know that maintaining a healthy weight can help you avoid diabetes, heart problems, and a slew of other chronic diseases, as well as improve your sleep patterns and overall energy. But little did we know that weight loss can also pay off… literally.
Rejoice because getting to a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI) can also save you some serious cash, to the tune of a whopping $30,000, according to a new study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
Published in the journal Obesity, the report tracked and predicted the health care costs for Americans aged anywhere from 20 years old to well into their 80s. They then found that if a 20-year-old person who was categorized as obese was able to lose enough fat and lower their BMI to where they would be categorized as overweight, they could save nearly $18,000 over the course of their life. And get this: if they were able to take it even further and get to an overall healthy weight for their height and age, they could pocket a cool $30,000.
Between saving on health care (that includes prescription drugs, possible surgeries, and health aides should you need them), the biggest savings cost were seen in take-home pay. Basically, study authors noted, if you’re able to stay at a healthy weight, the lower the chances are that you miss work due to illness and inability to be productive. Be healthy, avoid taking sick days, taking a leave of absence, and cash that check.
And the best part is that it’s never too late. The study showed that no matter what age, the possibilities for saving serious money were still high. Whether you’re young or young-at-heart, losing weight and getting to your ideal size had its economical benefits.
You can now feel even better every time you’re powering through a non-stop sweat session. You’re not only helping your health. You’re also helping your wallet.
Losing Weight Can Save You $30,000. Here's How
