One of the common method used to measure our success of weight loss program is by judging how much weight you lose over a certain period of time. Say, a guy lost 40 pounds of his weight over 5 months of period, sounds quite successful to us, right?

Now, have you ever heard about ROI? It's a short form of Return-of-Investment, a common term for business decision makers to evaluate their investment by comparing the magnitude and timing of expected gains to the investment costs. I use this term very often throughout my prospecting and marketing program.

If let say, there are two guys, "A" and "B" started their weight loss program, with the same starting weight, and then they lost the same amount of 40 pounds fat over 5 months. Guy "A" invested 100 dollars for running shoes for his initial investment, and the other one, guy "B" invested 1000 dollars for his running shoes and treadmill machine. Now, which one is more successful?

If money is one of your concern, then I think you'll need to understand a bit about ROI and payback period, but don't worry: you don't need to be a math expert. Here I will outline the simple way to calculate ROI,

Fat Loss ROI = (Fat Loss - Investment Costs) / Investment Costs

Before that, we have to convert fat into term of dollars. If let say, to lose just one pound of fat you will have to burn up 3500 calories. How much is that? Well if you are on a diet such as the 2000 calories weight loss diet, you are eating 2000 calories a day. So, 3500 calories is about nearly two full days worth of food. Convert 3500 calories in term of dollars spent of two days of food.

Let's do the math based on my weight loss experience and payback period is one year..

Initial weight = 194 pounds (30% Body Fat)
Initial fat mass = 58.2 pounds
Current weight = 151 pounds (13% Body Fat)
Current fat mass = 19.6 pounds
Total fat loss = 58.2 - 19.6 = 38.6 pounds

Gross investment costs so far..
Dumbbell set = $90
Chin-up bar = $50
Running shoes = $140
Gym ball = $60
Flex tube = $25
Gym fee costs (accumulated - 3 months) = $120
Total investment costs = $485

Converting pound into dollar...

If 1 pound = 3500 calories,
then, 38.6 pounds = 135,100 calories

If 2000 calories = one day worth of food,
then, 135,100 calories = 67.55 days worth of food (Let's take it as 68 days)
If 1 day food spent = $20,
then, 68 days = $1,360

Fat loss ROI = ( Fat Loss $$$ - Investment Costs ) / Investment Costs * 100(%)
= (1,360 - 485) / 485 * 100 (%)
= 180 %

From the calculation, I think the best way to getting better ROI is creating exercise plan using bodyweight training eg: Turbulence Training, and next is Dumbbell home-gym training, followed by commercial fitness gym and so forth.

The dumbest ever solution to your fat loss, which yield to worst ROI is liposuction method - If you think you will go for this method, you better stop reading this. Try googling the nearest clinic that have such expertise and call their hotline number for appointment. We're not talking about "Extreme Makeover" TV program, aren't we?

Personally, I don't recommend such surgery as it does not adding value to your inner self. Exercise hard, you'll learn how to love yourself more.

The above calculation is a very basic calculation ROI over your fat loss. But, I understand that some of us will probably don't agree with the calculation. No matter how much you saved (or gained), how much direct or indirect costs involved in detail, by stripping away the excessive fat, you will get a lot of health benefits that help you live longer, which is indirect.

And don't forget the fat dominoes, by reducing your body fat percentage, you will significantly cut the risk factors associated with many diseases, not just diabetes, heart disease etc. Certainly, it doesn't guarantee you a get-out-of-the-hospital free license, but you will save thousand bucks for your medical bills...