Upside: Gas prices above $4.00 can help us drop some pounds

I nearly freaked out when I drove up to the gas station near my gym and saw these prices. Can you believe gas is over $4.49? Holy shazizzle!

As much as the skyrocketing gas prices pisses me off, I try to think of an upside to all this gas inflation. {So, okay, I may be pushing it in the optimism department but play along.} The thing that first came to mind was weight loss. Perhaps because that's what I write about all day long, but really, here are some of the ways soaring gas prices can help us shed pounds:

• When people have to cut money from their budgets, food is always one of the first things to cut, and when you cut from food, the first things that have to go are non-necessities like junk foods and eating out every night. When you cook at home, you have more control of what goes into your meal. You're also burning more calories moving around the kitchen cooking and cleaning up after.

• Watching food expenses will also make you more conscious of the quantity of food you are eating. When the food budget is tight, you'll have more incentive to watch the intake thus lowering the opportunities to over eat.

• You may decide to give less of your money to the oil companies which means you'll either start car pooling or taking public transportation to work. If you start taking the bus, train, or ferry to work, there will be more walking involved which will help you burn more calories during the day.

• That bicycle is looking way more attractive now, and since Spring is here with the warmer weather, cycling to work sounds like an even better idea if you live close enough. Riding the bike is fantastic exercise.

• If you work at home, the higher gas prices may incent you to not go anywhere, so be sure to make an effort to take a walk or get some kind of exercise. If you have a dog, take Fido for a jaunt around the hood. It will be great fun and exercise for both of you.

When gas hits $5 per gallon, which could be sooner than later here in the Sand Francisco Bay Area, I think I'll be investing in a bicycle to get around town.