Maybe you've been meaning to drop those stubborn 30 post-pregnancy pounds, or perhaps your doctor has been asking you to do something about your expanding beer belly. But besides taking action and doing something good for your health, did you realize that losing weight may also result in fewer healthcare costs?

Even though you’re required to purchase health insurance, you still have to pay your deductible, copayments and those incidental items like prescription drugs. However, losing even 10 percent of your body weight can do wonders for your health, which can possibly make those meds unnecessary.

Even if you feel healthy, being over the ideal weight for your body type can cause harm. Statistically, being overweight puts you at a higher risk for many diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease. In the long run, these diseases will cost you a lot, even if your health insurance covers some of the costs. Apart from medical expenses, you'll miss work due to doctor appointments and you may have a lower quality of life. 

Tips for Losing Weight

• Don't follow a fad diet: Find a way of eating that you can follow long-term. Check out MyPlate for tips on healthy eating.
  
  
• Fill up on non-starchy vegetables: It's hard to say which diet is "the best," but there's one thing they almost all agree upon: eat vegetables. This doesn't mean having a large fry with your grilled chicken sandwich, but rather a fresh salad loaded with colorful veggies. Non-starchy vegetables fill you up with fiber and very few calories. 
  
  
• Engage in physical activity every day: You don't need to go to the gym every day, but you should increase your physical activity to the point where you're getting in exercise every day. Even a leisurely walk allows you to keep your metabolism running efficiently.

Staying Motivated

Improving your health so that you're able to watch your kids grow, become a successful business owner or retire to your dream destination is important; but you've got to remember your "why." No amount of nagging from your partner or the doctor will get you to change your eating and physical activity habits. You have to do it for yourself, to be as healthy as you can be and to feel good about your body. Saving money on your healthcare costs may be a nice bonus. Once you are committed to doing this for yourself and get started, you can start dreaming of how you'll put those savings to work by buying a new wardrobe!