On the Road to Healthy

I've neglected myself physically over the last seven or eight years. I'm not exactly sure why. I've set many goals over the years to turn this freight train around, but I've not had a lot of luck on the road to fruition. Actually, luck has nothing to do with it. I've not been successful over the years probably because of the same reason that I started neglecting myself in the first place...laziness...plain & simple.

This will not be an easy or short process. I am NOT looking forward to the withdrawls, frustration, fatigue or any other negative physical symptoms I will temporarily experience, but I am looking forward to the end result. I know my quality of life will only benefit from the changes I need to make. My hubby and my kids will benefit. Everything in my life will benefit. Everything.

Have you ever stopped to realize how poor physical health can be tied to poor financial health? I'm referring to overall poor health - not poor health due to serious illness or surgery or anything like that. I'm referring to the numerous cups of coffee I have to drink in the morning to rev up my engine. I'm referring to the aches & pains I feel after sitting or exercising too much. I'm referring to that general overall feeling of "ICK" every single day...not to mention the "ICK" I feel emotionally whenever I go clothes shopping!!

Believe it or not, a lazy lifestyle causes me to overspend in a number of areas. I've heard lots of people complain how healthy food is more expensive than junk food. Yes, some junk food items that are cheaper. Overall though? Healthy food is most definitely the logical choice if you are trying to watch both your physical bottom line and your financial bottom line. Which is cheaper? A medium sized .50 cent apple that helps me feel full for several hours or the $1.05 cupcakes that leave me feeling hungry again in an hour?

Same thing for the amount of sleep I get...or rather don't get. If I am well-rested, I wouldn't need as much caffeine, which means less spending on coffee (regular or fancy) and/or soda. What if I started drinking tea or water instead? Do you think my grocery expenses might start to fall a little?

This isn't just a grocery shopping problem though. Many...too many...people eat outside the home far too often. Restaurant meals impact waistline and bank account equally - no question.

This is about much more than losing weight though. I want to be more effective as a wife, mother, friend, employee, etc. I want to be a more effective Christian by having more energy to serve God and others on top of all the other things I must get done every day. I want to feel better about myself and be able to unbox the tons of clothes currently in storage. I want to live a longer, stronger, healthier life with my family. And if my finances improve as a result, then all the better!

Our society, in general, indulges in far too many bad habits that negatively affect our budgets. Food and eating habits are just two examples. I could list smoking, drug/alcohol use, gambling, etc. If you complain about how little money you have, maybe the first thing you should do is examine your bad habits and exactly how much those bad habits are costing you. Our bad habits...my husband's and mine...are deeply affecting our budget. And at a time when our income level has never been lower, that's obviously not a good things. We have to make the necessary changes now in order for our financial health to remain healthy over the long run...for many reasons.

In the end, I will be a better me, and you will be a better you. And if you have children, you will pass to them a living, breathing example of how to make a life better. Let's be honest. Kids learn what they live, and I'm not okay with what my kids are learning from me right now.