Get Paid to Lose Weight: 11 Ways to Earn While You Burn in 2025

Millions of us are trying to lose weight, and it's hard. Really hard. It also takes a lot of time, hundreds if not thousands of hours. But here's a suggestion, why not try monetizing all those hours?

Earning while you exercise can be a great way to stay motivated on your weight loss journey, and it never hurts to have more cash in your pocket each month. 

I've put together a ranking of my favorite ways to earn while you burn, from weight loss challenge apps to active side gigs. 

1. Get Paid to Take Dogs Walking ($10–$20/hour)

If you love dogs, and you live in an area with a lot of dog owners, this idea is perfect. The exercise is only mildly-intensive, you will likely have a relaxing time, and the pay can be quite good per hour. You will also have the chance to become more familiar with your local area. 

The only real difficult with dog walking is finding clients and building a good reputation. I suggest using online platforms, as well as advertising locally with flyers, and offering very cheap dog walks in exchange for testimonials when you get started. 

And to get started, here are some sites to try. Rover is great for finding pet owners who need walkers, and I've also had success with Wag!, which connects walkers with dog owners nearby.

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2. Paid Video Watching While Exercising ($5–$10/hour)

Freecash will pay you to complete simple tasks like answering surveys, testing new games, and watching videos. You only earn a small amount per task, but you can complete as many tasks as you want and then withdraw your earnings. 

So you can watch videos while working out on the treadmill and earn some cash. A win-win scenario. 

And this method also has the benefit of being very flexible. You can sign up and start in five minutes, and all you need is a smartphone to get started. 

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3. Deliver Food via Bike ($10–$20/hour)

This is the most intense way to exercise while making money, as you will be cycling for hours at a time, and you will be expected to travel quickly. It is also a very consistent way to make money, as delivery companies are always hiring, and food delivery is incredibly popular in major cities. 

But, you do need to be confident riding a bike, and you also need to live in a city, as doing this kind of work in the suburbs simply is not viable. 

For those interested, Uber Eats is a great choice for bike couriers looking for flexible work. You can also check out DoorDash and Grubhub, both of which offer great earning potential and tipping incentives.

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4. Deliver Flyers on Foot ($10–$20/hour)

If you can find a flyer delivery company who are hiring in your area, it can be a fantastic way to earn extra cash on the weekends while simply walking around the neighborhood. The work is simple and doesn't require any customer interaction. 

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5. Mow Lawns in Your Area ($10–$25/hour)

If you live in the suburbs or even more rurally, you can offer to mow lawns around your neighborhood for a small fee. With this method, you can work flexibly, as much or as little as you want, and you will be getting in at least some exercise while mowing.

I recommend starting locally, perhaps create a simple flyer, or simply knock and ask. All you need to get started is an actual mower (not a ride-on, obviously), and some appropriate clothes for garden work. 

Try TaskRabbit first, a great platform for cash-in-hand side gigs. I also recommend Nextdoor, a location-based social media platform, which can be used to advertise locally.

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6. Document Your Weight Loss Journey

If you have a creative streak and your savvy with social media, you could consider content creation. Realistically, it will take months to build up a channel that can be monetized, and it will require a bit of luck.

But content creation has the potential to generate high earnings, and even if you don't "go viral" it can be a really fun way to track your progress and meet like-minded individuals. 

All you need is a smartphone, ideally some kind of lighting setup, and a YouTube or Instagram account. 

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7. Join Weight Loss Competitions

You can get paid to lose weight with fitness competition apps. These apps effectively allow you to bet on your ability to reach a certain weight goal. 

You have to be very careful with these platforms, as you might place a bet and then gain weight due to an unforeseen life event that makes you stressed or upset. But for the competitive among you, there are definitely individuals who have found success with this kind of motivation. 

My favorite sites are HealthyWage, which lets you bet on your own weight loss, and DietBet, where you can join group weight loss challenges for rewards.

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8. Use Paid-to-Walk Apps ($5–$50/month)

If you're looking for an easy way to make money while staying active, paid-to-walk apps are a great option. These apps reward you with points, discounts, and even cash for tracking your daily steps. They work in the background, so you can couple this method with other ways to make money losing weight. 

I recommend Sweatcoin, which has always worked for me. But you cannot expect high-earnings. 

9. Get Cashback on Healthy Purchases

Okay, this isn't about exercise but rather eating more healthily, which is a huge part of losing weight.

I recommend rewarding yourself for healthy eating by using cashback apps that give you points for healthy purchases. You can then use these points to get exclusive offers and more groceries. 

There are numerous cashback services like this, but Ibotta is my favorite option as they have a very easy-to-use app, and they work with Walmart. 

10. Do Manual Labor Odd Jobs ($15–$30/hour)

For an intense physical workout, manual labor can be a great option, and it pays well. But I have to put it lower in the ranking as it will not be a good option for everyone; you need basic DIY skills, and ideally your own vehicle. 

On platforms like TaskRabbit you can find people looking for quick cash-in-hand jobs in your area, sometimes as simple as assembling IKEA furniture. You could also consider using Nextdoor to ask your neighbors if they need any help. 

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11. Sell Your Old Clothes ($5–$50 per item)

If you lose weight and your larger clothes no longer fit, consider selling them on marketplaces like Vinted. Besides the environmental benefits of recycling, this is also a good way to celebrate your progress and stay committed!

Best Ways to Get Paid to Lose Weight Recap