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Paid to stay healthy
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This story just popped on my newsfeeds. Finally some help in avoiding illnesses. It's a small but significant and positive step in my opinion. Thoughts?
And the theme is that the govt will find a way to incentivise people for get and stay healthy.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/04/uk-government-may-start-offering-financial-rewards-for-becoming-healthier
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NHS is a weird thing at times. I know of a woman who lost 14 stone by her own determination. Her excess skin on her abdomen hangs literally to her knee caps making it difficult to walk, lifting the skin as she raises her legs with each step. She has kept the weight off for over a year. The NHS won't remove the excess skin as they say it is cosmetic. |
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"NHS is a weird thing at times. I know of a woman who lost 14 stone by her own determination. Her excess skin on her abdomen hangs literally to her knee caps making it difficult to walk, lifting the skin as she raises her legs with each step. She has kept the weight off for over a year. The NHS won't remove the excess skin as they say it is cosmetic."
True story? If it is that's an amazing achievement on her behalf. But as you say... Weird that they think losing a life changing 14 stone is cosmetic.... |
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Personally I think you need to want to get fit, lose weight, change your eating habits and no financial incentive (which I imagine will be quite small anyway) is going to change that, it’s a mindset and a willingness to make the changes |
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"Personally I think you need to want to get fit, lose weight, change your eating habits and no financial incentive (which I imagine will be quite small anyway) is going to change that, it’s a mindset and a willingness to make the changes "
I'm sure it's a very complex issue for many... Its also not just about weight... Movement... Well being.. And so on. Its just a really encouraging bread crumb, we have a problem with health in this country and doing something to improve it is a great start.... Watch for eat out to help out coming soon! (mixed messages?) |
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I can see all sorts of problems with it not least that it will perpetuate the idea that you "go on" a diet temporarily rather than "adapt" your diet for life.
Financial incentives don't work either, the cost of tobacco is eye watering but people still smoke and I guess these proposed incentives will be finite.
If it's one measure among many then it might contribute to improving the health of the nation, it's worth a try but I can see it causing resentment too. |
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"I can see all sorts of problems with it not least that it will perpetuate the idea that you "go on" a diet temporarily rather than "adapt" your diet for life.
Financial incentives don't work either, the cost of tobacco is eye watering but people still smoke and I guess these proposed incentives will be finite.
If it's one measure among many then it might contribute to improving the health of the nation, it's worth a try but I can see it causing resentment too."
Obviously no details yet... But seems that a small amount of funding is there and its a start. Ultimately its the individual and I don't think anybody expects a quick fix... Its about thought processes and decision making and helping people to make better choices.. (well I'm an optimist so let's hope so) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Personally I think you need to want to get fit, lose weight, change your eating habits and no financial incentive (which I imagine will be quite small anyway) is going to change that, it’s a mindset and a willingness to make the changes "
Well said |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Everyone has a time when they struggle to get motivated to exercise and lose weight. It has to be change in your routine and lifestyle. Good to have some one supporting you with it. Personnel trainer or friend on the same path. |
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"Personally I think you need to want to get fit, lose weight, change your eating habits and no financial incentive (which I imagine will be quite small anyway) is going to change that, it’s a mindset and a willingness to make the changes
I'm sure it's a very complex issue for many... Its also not just about weight... Movement... Well being.. And so on. Its just a really encouraging bread crumb, we have a problem with health in this country and doing something to improve it is a great start.... Watch for eat out to help out coming soon! (mixed messages?) "
It is but as per the article the funding is for those in local areas to attend weight watchers, or alike
“ The Department of Health and Social Care is giving the NHS and local councils in England £70m to pay for up to 700,000 overweight or obese people to go on weight management courses, such as those provided by Weight Watchers or Slimming World, or work with a personal coach to help them shed unwanted pounds.“ |
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"with further mass automation looming rapidly, the exploration of ideas regarding mechanisms for keeping people without jobs will become more prevalent. this is just a small part of that."
Trying to keep people healthy? I think I'm missing your point. I agree more leisure time needs to be spent wisely or it's just more sedentary time which as we know is not a good thing for us emotionally or physically. |
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"with further mass automation looming rapidly, the exploration of ideas regarding mechanisms for keeping people without jobs will become more prevalent. this is just a small part of that.
Trying to keep people healthy? I think I'm missing your point. I agree more leisure time needs to be spent wisely or it's just more sedentary time which as we know is not a good thing for us emotionally or physically. "
37.5 hours week is a large chunk of time to fill and fitness is marketed as an expensive passtime. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Not a terrible idea. Might not have a big impact.
I remember years ago they offered free gym membership and swimming to encourage new people to become physically active but found after a while very few people were new through the doors so stopped it.
Some interventions work and others dont. It's good to try.
If it works it will save them money in the long run and people that avail of it could be healthier and happier. If it doesnt work they have lost millions, but sometimes gotta take a punt. I'm sure they've researched it before committing money to it
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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You know what would work better? Investing money into the mental health system so that those of us who have psychological issues with food can actually get the help and support we need. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Weight Watchers and Slimming worlds approaches to diet and exercise don't work.
They're money making machines that want to keep you fat.
If they worked they wouldn't get any business.
Weight loss isn't rocket science it is actually very simple.
It's applying the information and fighting every day to keep applying it.
Once you let yourself get fat it is very difficult to maintain a lower weight after a 'diet' because of many reasons beyond our control.
It would be better for the Government to make councilling a free service to help people understand how they got fat in the first place.
It's not as simple as eating too much food.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"You know what would work better? Investing money into the mental health system so that those of us who have psychological issues with food can actually get the help and support we need. "
You beat me to it  |
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"Weight Watchers and Slimming worlds approaches to diet and exercise don't work.
They're money making machines that want to keep you fat.
If they worked they wouldn't get any business.
Weight loss isn't rocket science it is actually very simple.
It's applying the information and fighting every day to keep applying it.
Once you let yourself get fat it is very difficult to maintain a lower weight after a 'diet' because of many reasons beyond our control.
It would be better for the Government to make councilling a free service to help people understand how they got fat in the first place.
It's not as simple as eating too much food.
"
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"You know what would work better? Investing money into the mental health system so that those of us who have psychological issues with food can actually get the help and support we need. "
So are you saying they should not have done this? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"as much as I know I should lose weight, I lost 2st, and my boobs started to lose their volume, fuck that, started eating again!
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I would worry that my boobs end up looking like puppy dog ears. |
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Motivation to lose weight comes from the mindset of wanting to lose weight and understanding the importance of being fit and healthy. Am sure there are people who have psychological issues which stops them but I think that is the minority.
Just my opinion but could be wrong... |
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"Motivation to lose weight comes from the mindset of wanting to lose weight and understanding the importance of being fit and healthy. Am sure there are people who have psychological issues which stops them but I think that is the minority.
Just my opinion but could be wrong..."
Perhaps one size does not fit all and everyones motivations are different. I'd rather we made and effort and tried to address the elephant in the room than ignore it because it is hard though. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"You know what would work better? Investing money into the mental health system so that those of us who have psychological issues with food can actually get the help and support we need.
So are you saying they should not have done this? "
I highly doubt it will make any significant difference in the long run. I suspect the people who will benefit will very much be in the minority. |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"NHS is a weird thing at times. I know of a woman who lost 14 stone by her own determination. Her excess skin on her abdomen hangs literally to her knee caps making it difficult to walk, lifting the skin as she raises her legs with each step. She has kept the weight off for over a year. The NHS won't remove the excess skin as they say it is cosmetic."
Yet they gave a perfectly healthy woman a boob job because she said she was depressed.
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"Motivation to lose weight comes from the mindset of wanting to lose weight and understanding the importance of being fit and healthy. Am sure there are people who have psychological issues which stops them but I think that is the minority.
Just my opinion but could be wrong..."
It isn't only psychological problems that stop people from losing weight. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Weight Watchers and Slimming worlds approaches to diet and exercise don't work.
They're money making machines that want to keep you fat.
If they worked they wouldn't get any business.
Weight loss isn't rocket science it is actually very simple.
It's applying the information and fighting every day to keep applying it.
Once you let yourself get fat it is very difficult to maintain a lower weight after a 'diet' because of many reasons beyond our control.
It would be better for the Government to make councilling a free service to help people understand how they got fat in the first place.
It's not as simple as eating too much food.
"
|
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Whilst I'm not arguing against the idea, I feel the money would be better put into education and psychological interventions.
I have a disordered eating mindset. I emotionally eat. I exercise daily, but am still over weight due to that.
If we teach people to cook healthy meals on a budget from school age, it will go further than giving people a couple of quid for going to the gym, and heading straight to McDonald's afterwards. |
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"Whilst I'm not arguing against the idea, I feel the money would be better put into education and psychological interventions.
I have a disordered eating mindset. I emotionally eat. I exercise daily, but am still over weight due to that.
If we teach people to cook healthy meals on a budget from school age, it will go further than giving people a couple of quid for going to the gym, and heading straight to McDonald's afterwards."
Wouldn't that be great. Now... How can kids be taught from an early age to shop, cook and eat a balanced healthy diet with balance exercise and emotional wellbeing? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Whilst I'm not arguing against the idea, I feel the money would be better put into education and psychological interventions.
I have a disordered eating mindset. I emotionally eat. I exercise daily, but am still over weight due to that.
If we teach people to cook healthy meals on a budget from school age, it will go further than giving people a couple of quid for going to the gym, and heading straight to McDonald's afterwards."
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Personally I think you need to want to get fit, lose weight, change your eating habits and no financial incentive (which I imagine will be quite small anyway) is going to change that, it’s a mindset and a willingness to make the changes "
I think you’re amazing. |
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"If it motivates even a small proportion of people then surely that's a win.
There's no magic wand or one size fits all approach."
Well that's what I thought. Every journey starts with a first step... I'm surprised not surprised that doing something about our national problem is a negative thing. |
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"Whilst I'm not arguing against the idea, I feel the money would be better put into education and psychological interventions.
I have a disordered eating mindset. I emotionally eat. I exercise daily, but am still over weight due to that.
If we teach people to cook healthy meals on a budget from school age, it will go further than giving people a couple of quid for going to the gym, and heading straight to McDonald's afterwards.
Wouldn't that be great. Now... How can kids be taught from an early age to shop, cook and eat a balanced healthy diet with balance exercise and emotional wellbeing? "
I remember a series Jamie Oliver made where he went into peoples homes who were on severe budgets and showed them you can make great healthy meals at a low cost, after a mo th or so he went back and not one of them had stuck with it 
We have forgotten how to cook these days, why bother when Uber will bring a pizza to your door, this is the problem! |
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"I can see all sorts of problems with it not least that it will perpetuate the idea that you "go on" a diet temporarily rather than "adapt" your diet for life.
Financial incentives don't work either, the cost of tobacco is eye watering but people still smoke and I guess these proposed incentives will be finite.
If it's one measure among many then it might contribute to improving the health of the nation, it's worth a try but I can see it causing resentment too.
Obviously no details yet... But seems that a small amount of funding is there and its a start. Ultimately its the individual and I don't think anybody expects a quick fix... Its about thought processes and decision making and helping people to make better choices.. (well I'm an optimist so let's hope so) "
Believe it or not I'm an optimist too, I'm also a realist.
I think as I said, this could be part of a wider strategy.
According to some things I've read there's a big problem with children being over weight and obese, the percentage is startlingly high. The reasons are complex and not easily solved by financial incentives.
We had a leaflet through recently offering one month's free delivery on orders from McDonald's of over £10. I wouldn't need to move further than my front door to get a high calorie, low nutrient "meal". Things like that are part of the problem. |
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It should only be done where it is backed up by credible evidence, using exactly the same processes. Results should be of sustained weight loss, not just short term loss. Too many have struggled with yo-yo weight loss and dieting, to have another quick fix, not backed by credible evidence is unhealthy.
Sure, if you ask people if they want to get £5,000 for some weight loss, you'll get a lot of take up. People need to do it at the right time for them, the right motivations and within a process that acknowledges their real world, rather than 1 imagined by a No. 10 out of touch millionaire. People need employment security, the substantial public services infrastructure, including transport, childcare, fitness and health systems that are needed for inclusivity. This is the group that cut sure-start and other schemes, so their real concern for support of the struggling is next to non-existent. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"NHS is a weird thing at times. I know of a woman who lost 14 stone by her own determination. Her excess skin on her abdomen hangs literally to her knee caps making it difficult to walk, lifting the skin as she raises her legs with each step. She has kept the weight off for over a year. The NHS won't remove the excess skin as they say it is cosmetic."
Postcode lottery. Some areas they do such surgery on the NHS. |
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