Getting Healthy: Physically and Financially - part 1

A few weeks ago I mentioned that the theme for 2011 would be "Getting Healthy: Physically and Financially." As of today, January 14, 2011, I am proud to announce that I have taken the first steps toward this long journey by paying off three of the five credit cards that I have in my possession! Moreover, in the coming weeks, I will be working toward card number four. What I have found most interesting about this journey was the shift in my spending habits. Now that I am focusing on paying off my credit card debt, as opposed to, paying down my credit cards debt for later use, I have made more headway than I could have every imagined.

What has also helped was my concentrated effort to compare my balance sheets with that of my creditors. That is, although I make a “decent” wage, I would still find myself having to pay-out thousands of dollars every month without ever seeing any real increase in my net worth. However, when I look at the financial reports of my creditors (Chase, BB&C, GE, etc.) their balance sheets were steadily increasing. Something was terribly wrong with that - enough was enough! As a result, I made the necessary adjustments to my spending habits - and boy has it paid off.

The thing that became most apparent was the amount of waste in my spending. Case and point: originally, I didn’t consider eating out everyday waste; however, when I began to see the amount of food I was buying - compared to the amount of food I was actually consuming - then the waste became very obvious. For example, I would go to the grocery store and make a great meal for dinner. Instead of eating the leftovers for lunch the next day, I would “go out to eat” and the leftovers would end up in the trash after sitting around for several days. After correcting this simple habit, it saved me $150. WOW! What an eye-opener.

As for my physical health, I have a long way to go. Although, I have started working out on a regular basis (that is, I alternate between cardio and muscle strength and endurance (mse)), I have not made very much headway. I guess I have been in denial for a very long time - somehow I have lead myself to believe that I was fine and looking good. But when I look at the numbers - they would beg to differ. It turns out I am a “healthy” 233.8 lbs and on the cusp of some very risky vitals. My LDL was 8 points above the norm; Blood-Sugar was approaching diabetic regions; and if my systolic and diastolic wouldn’t have been normal - I probably would have been put on medication! If life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not motivating factors - then I don't know what is. As a result of today's check up I have pledge to devote more time to healthy living. My Doctor said emphatically, .. “.. if you lose the weight you will be in perfect health. If not - the opposite can also be true.” At this point, it is totally up to me

I pledge to lose 2 lbs a week over the next 25 weeks. I need you to join me in this pledge.


Won't you give it a try? Leave me a comment and let me know. Follow me and let's help each other get and stay on the right track.