I think it’s really easy to say that it’s worth the money to be healthy, but as a person working really hard to get out of debt, I’m having a hard time figuring out what that means.
I guess it’s that I used to have the mentality that being healthy is worth whatever it costs. For me, making good food and exercise decisions is like fighting an ocean of bad habits, so if I can do anything–read: spend any amount of money–to make it easier on myself, then I will. Things like gym memberships and new shoes and nice clothes and, hey, how about a DVD to treat myself for doing so well! I always knew that none of these things were required for me to succeed, but they made the journey a little more comfortable.
The most successful I have ever been at losing weight was in 2008. Now, looking back, it seems that I made up for being so strict in my eating and exercising by indulging everywhere else. I had this weekly routine where every Monday I would weigh-in, and then after work I would go to Target and pretty much buy whatever I wanted, starting with the Arrested Development DVDs (it’s hard to regret that purchase), and then because it was my cheat day, I would buy myself a pizza. Not a cheap pizza–a $15 pizza. I already had significant debt by then, but I convinced myself that I deserved these things because I was working so hard.
Now that I’m living on the cheap, getting healthy seems like a different ball game. One I haven’t played before. I know that being healthy can be more expensive, but I worked hard to convince myself that it didn’t have to be. I thought about the money I wouldn’t spend eating out and all the plain and uninteresting food I would buy (read: not expensive name brand chips and candy!). And I could run outside, so no need for a gym!
My first two trips to the the grocery store have been more expensive than the budget really allows. I aim to spend $50 a week and instead I’ve been spending around $70-80. I still have hope that I can get that amount down, but it will be a struggle without spending a bunch of time shopping around (time that I don’t have and that I’m not willing to spend).
The exercising outside is working really well, but I’m wondering how I’m going to make it through the Summer here in Southern California. I find walking outside when it’s 95 degrees to be uncomfortable, so I can’t imagine running. There is a school gym I could use, now that I think about it. It just doesn’t have the best hours. Because I only have time to run on the weekends, I did make a budget exception this week to buy 30 Day Shred. It’s less than $10 on Amazon and has awesome reviews. I hope to fit that in before bed when I can, but getting myself to work out at 1 am after 15 hours of work has been a challenge. That might have to wait for the Summer when I have more time.
It is a challenge to be doing this while getting myself out of debt, but I am realizing that once I go back to spending money more reasonably (by which I mean spending it at all), I will have habits in place so that I can be healthy without going overboard in every other area just to compensate.
I should add that one clear area where I prioritize my health is in paying about $53 a month for medical, dental, and vision insurance. The rest is generously covered by my employer. I consider that a smart financial decision too. Medical expenses can so quickly devastate a person financially.
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I find myself in the same situation. We have been buying healthy food a lot lately and it’s costing us more money. But it’s nice to know at the end that we’re doing it for our health. We’re going to start shopping at Costco and buy in bulk so we can save even more money by freezing fruits/veggies/chicken.
One thing I realized that I will have to do this summer is wake up extra early to run in the mornings. I LOVE my sleep, but if I’m going to get serious about marathon training this year, I need to wake up early.
As for food, first thing I’m doing is eating EVERYTHING in my fridge & pantry before I go shopping again. It’s been 3 weeks since I ran out of food and 5 weeks since I’ve gone grocery shopping. I’m pretty much empty out my food supply with the exception of cereal & dried pasta. I’m actually going to night and I’m afraid what’s that’s going to look like. The best thing is that I’m being VERY conscious of limiting myself to 1500 calories a day. Sadly, some of my meals have been all liquid, but I’m sticking to my goal. I was at 159lbs at the end of March. I’m 151 this morning and I hope to get down to 145.
Now I’m not fat, though I have a some love handles, but I want to PR in the half marathon in August. In order to so, I hoping that extra 15 lbs would make running easier. Additionally, I never had a 6 pack or any packs for that matter in my life. MAYBE I can change this keggerator into something less jiggly?
I’m constantly hungry all the time now, but I really want to do this. Losing weight is a great plus because I feel less sluggish. However, I want to PR so bad. It’s been 3 years since I PR’d in my first half marathon. Chicago is flat, why I haven’t PR’d before I don’t know. Here’s hoping that come August, I can run 13.1 miles under 1:56:52.
Why am I telling you all of this?
I’ve found that certain healthy items are less expensive at Whole Foods than at regular grocery stores, but you have a Trader Joe’s at your disposal (jealous!!) so that can help a lot. Also: keep track of the weekly specials at the 4 nearest grocery stores to you and shop strategically! I’m not much of a coupon clipper, especially because they make me buy things I otherwise wouldn’t, but sometimes it’s worth it.
Totally in the same sitch. It is SO hard to be frugal and healthy at the same time, mostly because both of those things require mega amounts of willpower. I don’t have a gym membership and I’m not sure I’ll get through the summer either. Last summer I eventually forced myself to wake up early (MORE willpower) and work out before it got hot. It also helps that I have two dogs who need walking–they keep me motivated.
For more activity, I’ve been standing at my desk more often, taking breaks here and there to just quickly walk around the block, etc. And the 30-minute Shred is a lifesaver, because it’s quick and HARD.
As for food, I keep very well-stocked on all the healthy essentials: whole wheat pasta and oats, especially. I buy in bulk and look for sales, and for veggies I buy lots of frozen ones. Pizza is a new “healthy” staple for me: I can make an easy pizza using pita bread or a homemade wheat crust (takes about 20 minutes), topped with sauce from a jar, and then topped with a small amount of cheese and veggies.
Girl, that 30 Day Shred is serious. My mom and I bought it for the few months I was at home over the summer during our honeymoon travels and all I have to say is: everyone made me stop because I got so angry at Jillian. I yelled at her during the whole thing. Who knew I had so much rage? Anyway, it’s for real. Good luck! I think you can definitely do it. You’re not setting absolutely ridiculous goals and you have a plan on how to achieve them.
No sure where you are in So Cal- but you might want to look for Fresh and Easy in your area. They have great prices on lots of healthy stuff, do daily mark downs and you can sign up at their website and they will send really good $$ off purchase coupons (like $10 off $50)
jenetta
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