I’m not getting compensated for any of the following links. It’s strictly my thoughts and opinions.
Just a few minutes ago I was sitting at my kitchen table desk, mindlessly munching on Triscuits and hummus. Before that I had celery and hummus, and before that a banana…all before dinner.
For some reason since I got back from Detroit I’ve had a ridiculous, gigantic appetite, and my exercise is not necessarily warranting this uptake of food (and no I’m not pregnant).
Knowing I’m back playing volleyball and running around in a bikini is making me feel the need to put the brakes on all this extra snacking.
Now there are plenty of low cost or free ways to get in shape, track calories, set fitness goals, etc. Some of my favorites are Nike Training Club, Gain Fitness, RunKeeper, and MyFitnessPal, but there are other websites which offer financial incentives to get in shape and/or lose weight.
One such website that I’ve used in the past is GymPact. I was one of the first users, and at the beginning you could only use it if you belonged to a gym, but now they have many more features which allow you to work out from virtually anywhere. Since I rejoined in April I’ve made a whopping $17.59. 
Truthfully I’m not making much, but it honestly DOES keep me motivated to work out! It’s not so much the money I’m making, but the money I’d be losing if I didn’t do my workouts, and that really keeps me in check.
One new website I discovered, and one I’m taking part in this month is DietBet. Users join challenges and you need to lose at least 4% of your body weight over 4 weeks. Whoever can do it gets to split the pot. Of course the pot depends on how many people play how much it costs to play. The one I’m doing is called The Summer Shape-Up Challenge, and the pot is currently $3,650 (and growing), with a $25 buy in.
In case you want more of an explanation:
4% is honestly quite a bit for me, since I’m “fairly” happy with my weight overall…but then I think about the bikini and think it might be worth a try. I might end up losing $25, but the goal is to move in the direction of healthy eating…and in my case portion control.
Have you ever tried any of these apps/websites which offer financial incentives to get in shape or lose weight?
Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
