Losing weight requires a lot of time and energy. There are dietary guidelines that you need to keep up with, gym memberships that you have to use regularly, and plenty of social engagements and stress-related indulgences that you need to learn how to work around if you hope to keep up with your weight loss goals. While this can weigh heavily on your daily schedule, it can also begin to weigh heavily on your wallet.

Anyone who has tried losing weight in the past can attest to the fact that losing weight can get expensive. The biggest problem is when you begin working with a new weight loss program only to realize that it isn’t actually working for you. How long do you continue to pay for access to those apps that help you count points or plan meals before you realize that they aren’t helping you shed any of those extra lbs?

Weight loss surgery such as gastric sleeve is also expensive, but it works. Unlike those other programs that make money by taking yours over and over again with only the promise of results if you can just “do better next time,” weight loss surgery helps you to lose weight the right way this time, making it possible for you to reach your weight loss goal on schedule, without having to struggle with the daily fight against hunger or making you figure out complicated dietary restrictions. By helping you to reach your weight loss goal on time the first time, weight loss surgery can help you save money in the long run—especially when you take into consideration the cost of obesity related diseases and medications.

There are plenty of ways that you can save money during your weight loss program without interfering with your weight loss plan or progress. Here are a few tips to help you add a bit of bulk to your wallet as you shed those pounds:

• Take control of your environment by spending more time at home, where you can prepare your own meals. This will give you further control over what you are eating, and will help you to save money on food.
• Make a grocery list before you head to the store, and plan out your meals accordingly so that you take the guesswork out of the evening meal. Having a list when you head to the store will prevent you from overspending, and can help you keep your food budget under control.
• Cut the gym membership or fancy app subscriptions and save money by exercising on your own in your neighborhood. You can go for a walk with a neighbor or head to a local park for a full-body workout on the local fitness equipment.

You may be surprised to realize how easy it is to save money on food as you are losing weight after weight loss surgery. After all, when you are able to reduce your caloric intake so severely, it only makes sense that you are going to go through less food, and so, therefore, be able to purchase less food. Encourage your family to eat meals that you are already preparing for yourself, as preparing one meal is another tip that can help you to stay a step ahead of your finances as you lose weight.