A recent study from Mayo Clinic featured on the Today show found that dieters offered financial benefits are more likely to lose weight. 100 Mayo Clinic employees and their families that were classified as obese were participants in the study.  Some participants were rewarded $20 at the end of the month if they achieved their target weight, others were penalized $20 if they didn’t achieve their target weight, and some were not tied to any financial obligation or incentive. Sixty-two percent of participants offered a cash bonus lost weight, but only 26 percent of participants without the cash benefit incentive reached their goals.  This is a great initial finding. Many sites like stickK already believe in this theory. StickK allows you to make friendly wagers with friends or strangers on weight loss, healthier living, and a variety of other goals using money as a motivator.  If you plan on dieting or participating in a weight loss program, keep this study in mind

- Scott D’Alessandro