I spent $402 on a box of Optavia

I spent $402 on a box of Optavia that will last for 30 days, and I’m beginning to have buyer’s remorse. I’m sure when I follow the plan for 30 days I will indeed lose weight - maybe even a pound a day. But the cost seems to be more expensive than I’d first perceived, especially considering this price buys just one third of my daily calories. The rest I have to add in myself.

Here’s the breakdown. For $402, I am receiving 22 boxes with seven "fuelings" in each box, for a total of 154 fuelings. Each fueling has about 110 calories and is to be consumed at a rate of five per day spaced out between two and three hours apart. I'll still have to grocery shop to prepare an additional 1,300 calories of "lean and green" meals and snacks.

Optavia works for tons of people, but cost is a huge factor.

This initial package apparently includes five free boxes, or 35 additional fuelings. To continue the program into a second 30 days, I would have to buy the total of 22 boxes monthly. Since each box costs about $21, my next order would cost approximately $60 more. And then, of course, there’s the cost of shipping, which brings the cost for a 30-day supply of fuelings to around $500.

Given the convenience factor, I get that the food might be a bit more expensive. But I can save hundreds of dollars and still be successful in my weight loss by sourcing on-the-go bars and shakes elsewhere and prepping all meals and snacks on my own.

Regardless of my methods, it’s all up to me to make the right choices in my life. Knowing this going in, I’m going to make the most of this Optavia trial to kick start and hone my portion control and meal prep skills. It’s an expensive kick in the pants. But it's just the kick in the pants I need right now.