Weight-loss programs prove costly
If you think your diet program is expensive, you're not alone. An article on Forbes.com says that most programs cost a lot more than the tried-and-true method of diet and exercise.
The median diet worked out to a costly $85.79 a week -- 58% more than the $54.44 the average single American spends on food, according to the article.
Jenny Craig was the most expensive. A week's worth of food, which includes Jenny Craig-supplied meals and supplemental snacks, cost $137.65. The informal Subway Sandwich Diet was the least expensive, at $68.60 a week.
Find out how your diet shakes out.
Unless your buy all of your food from a diet company, such as Jenny Craig, there are many ways to cut costs. My favorites:
-- I take my lunch every day and cook once for the week of lunches. I usually buy chicken in bulk and broil it to accompany my bagged salads. It can get a bit boring, but I never have to worry about getting off my diet by buying lunch out.
-- Forget fancy cuts of fish and/or lobster. Perch, catfish and salmon are just as good as orange roughy.
-- If fresh veggies are too expensive, store brands of frozen ones are a fine substitute and usually less costly than national brands.
What are your tips on keeping diet costs down?
-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com
You know the weight-loss pressure has gotten to be too much when even the bountiful Beyonce feels like she has to diet.
We all struggle with time pressures, especially when it comes time for exercise. For me, the only way to fit it in is to do it before I head to work. But even then, I sometimes oversleep and lose precious workout time.