My spouse (39F) just informed me (38M) that she’s committed $300 a month for the next half-year to a weight loss coaching program. I was shocked by the price tag but didn’t push back immediately. We’ve talked once since, but I’m still uneasy. She’s tried similar things before without sticking to them for long. She claims the high cost will force her to stay accountable this time. The program is just WhatsApp check-ins and meal logs. We can afford it, but it’s a lot of money and we had specific savings targets. I’m worried it’s a scam, overpriced, and that she’ll quit, leading to resentment on my part since we didn’t decide this together. How do I bring this up without sounding like I’m controlling her? I’d rather help her see she’s already great or suggest real therapy instead of a gimmick. There’s a 14-day window to cancel, so I want to discuss this properly soon.
Is there any chance of getting a refund? That is an astronomical price for such a small return.
If she’s set on losing weight, that’s fine, but maybe suggest an in-person program? It would likely cost the same but be better for accountability. My mom did something like that with friends at a gym, and it was much more motivating. Many local gyms have similar programs starting for the New Year.
You could pay for two months of Ozempic with that same amount, and it would be far more effective.
That’s a textbook line from the coaching industry. They claim that spending more money increases your motivation to succeed. Has she ever tried professional counseling?
Try offering her some other options. 1. See a medical professional who focuses on nutrition. 2. Get a gym membership at a wellness center with a personal trainer. 3. See a therapist for body image concerns. Weight struggles usually stem from self-esteem issues or lack of knowledge, which an online course from an influencer won’t necessarily fix.
Speaking as a woman who has lost weight before and is trying again, I’d suggest discussing this further and proposing a better way to use those funds. Reassure her of your love, but offer support if she’s determined to lose weight. Suggesting a weekly personal trainer and a gym membership or consulting a doctor about Ozempic might be more productive.
She really ought to consult a medical professional first. A primary care doctor or nurse practitioner can evaluate her health through labs and discuss her history and motivation. They can then recommend a legitimate medical weight loss plan or clinic. These online programs often don’t prioritize the client and can be scams. Weight management is a long-term commitment, and a high price doesn’t equal quality. She needs a doctor’s guidance to start correctly.
Now that the money has been committed, your role is to support her health journey. Unless a refund is an option, being unsupportive will likely lead to failure regardless of the program’s quality. If she succeeds, that’s great; if not, it’s a loss. The real issue is the lack of financial alignment. You both have shared savings goals, yet she made a major financial decision unilaterally. Whether she used her own funds or joint money, if it impacts your collective goals, you definitely should have a say. You need to establish a spending threshold for the future.
Counseling might be a wiser investment for her. Eating often involves deep emotional factors, which could explain why previous attempts didn’t stick. Addressing that would be more beneficial. A high price tag won’t provide accountability; that has to come from within. Simply telling her she’s perfect won’t help if she’s genuinely unhappy with herself. She needs tools to work on her well-being, which might go beyond just food. A visit to her GP is a great first step for finding non-predatory support.
What are your typical financial rules? In my marriage, a purchase of this size requires a prior discussion. While we might veto something that seems like a scam, we focus on the goals behind the purchase and look for better alternatives. Since the money is already committed, view this as a $1,800 lesson in communication. You should sit down and explain why this unilateral decision worried you and suggest a new system for joint spending. ‘Usually’ is too vague. My husband and I started with a $150 limit for individual spending and gradually increased it as we built trust. Find a number that allows for daily spending but requires a check-in for larger items.
This sounds like an MLM! Will she be pressured to buy inventory or recruit other people too?
The main issue to address is that such a large financial commitment was made without any discussion. Most couples sharing finances have a threshold—for us, it’s $300—where we consult each other to protect our shared goals. Making a purchase like this without talking was inconsiderate. I’d steer clear of arguing about whether the program is a scam; she likely won’t be convinced, and it could damage your relationship. Even if it were a guaranteed success, $1,800 should always be a conversation first. You need to reopen communication and solidify your financial agreements.
My former partner was a therapist specializing in the psychology of weight loss, specifically for bariatric patients, and her fees weren’t even close to $300 a month. This really feels like a scam, which isn’t shocking since so much ‘coaching’ is exactly that.
The central problem is the unilateral spending. Stick to that, because bringing up the weight loss aspect is a recipe for disaster. I wouldn’t even criticize the program itself. Since the money is gone, try to be supportive. Think about what spending limit you both should have before needing to consult each other, then have a calm talk about financial collaboration moving forward.
This is definitely a course scam. These are becoming very common because people aren’t as aware of them yet, and they’re quite profitable for scammers. Was this run by an influencer or found on social media? If so, it’s almost certainly a grift. I’d bet the ‘check-ins’ are just automated AI responses. Also, the idea that ‘spending more increases accountability’ was almost certainly part of their sales pitch.
I know a guy who had great success with a similar weight loss course, so it really depends on the individual. However, she might get more benefit from cooking classes or finding a physical hobby she actually enjoys.
Damn, for $1,800 she could’ve just bought 10 months of semaglutide or even something like LipoMax and saved a ton of cash.