Comments on: Finding It Hard To Balance Finances And Fitness

By: cheryl

cheryl — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:16:19 +0000

I am goint to agree with you on this one from my perspective. I started being more frugal with money and looking for bargains a few months ago. I lost 35 lbs 2 years ago, and I have found in the past few months its been harder and harder to be as motivated about the fitness. I just think my focus has been more on the money. But I need to find a good balance between the two, because they are both as important.

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:24:40 +0000

Over the summer, I focussed very, very heavily on educating myself on personal finance and getting myself onto a sound path out of debt. I’m now more financially comfortable than I’ve been in a long time, just knowing that I have a small emergency fund and a solid debt-reduction plan.

During that intense period, my weight loss plateaued, but the financial peace-of-mind I have achieved is well worth it. However, I might not feel it was quite so worth it if I had gained ten pounds over the same period. I think that the key is to make sure that all other goals are being (at least) maintained while you throw yourself into whatever is motivating you at the time. This is easy with your finances – if you’ve done the legwork, you can put them on auto-pilot while you focus on your weight-loss. Maybe you’re not checking the stock market every day to take advantage of the deal of the century, but you’re basically on track while you take care of other, equally important goals. Congrats on 12 pounds and thanks for a great blog – I am conducting my own “no credit needed” experiment thanks to you and it’s working very well, but that’s a comment for another day!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:38:50 +0000

This is an interesting post. I also am getting my finances in order as I work on my neglected fitness level. It IS hard to focus equally on both. But I see it overall as finding balance in life in general. Maybe at first we have to really focus on our spending or our eating and exercise habits, but as we train ourselves into better behaviors, incorporate new habits that we have carefully cultivated, we won’t have to “focus” as hard.

I read an article recently — wish I could dig it up — but it found that people who had several goals for improving their life as part of a weight loss goal were more successful that people who only focussed on weight loss. That idea has kept me believing that I CAN be overall better in everything I do, and that my original thought to only focus on one thing at a time may not have served me well…

By: Erika

Erika — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:04:29 +0000

I have this exact problem all the time. It’s exhausting. Today I REALLY wanted hot chocolate, first freezing day of the season here… so the option was drive-through at $2.25/cup or grocery store for package of 8 at the same price… I went for the 1 shot deal since I knew if I bought 8, I’d drink 8. And I hardly ever crave that stuff, but if it’s around, I’ll drink it… so frustrating. Don’t have a solution, but I’ve been thinking about it all day… Oh, and Zen Habits wrote a post on focusing on one goal at a time, I meant to email him, because it’s not like I can spend the next 3 years focusing on getting out of debt, and just throw my health/weight to the side…

By: David

David — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:59:12 +0000

My advice to use is to make sure that all of your fitness changes are sustainable. Many people – myself included – tend to go gung ho into great health habits, then follow that with a few months off. It would be better to make small gradual changes then dive in head first.

That being said, I don’t think there’s any problem with forsaking finances somewhat for the sake of fitness. Just make sure you keep a good balance, and don’t give up on anything altogether.

Keep up the good work!

By: Eden

Eden — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:27:26 +0000

I’m definitely struggling to do both. I have the finances going nicely, but my weight loss goes up and down. I think it’s a little easier to do some math and make your finances work, but the willpower and determination for weight loss can be hit or miss. At least that’s how it’s going with me.

By: angiebaby

angiebaby — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:36:10 +0000

Try not to be so hard on yourself. You’re a good man and a good dad!

By: Laura @ no more spending

Laura @ no more spending — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:26:58 +0000

This is a timely post for me. So far I’ve found it impossible to pay off debt and lose weight at the same time, however I’m now at a place where I need to concentrate on my heallth more.
I’m trying to apply the same principles to weight loss, as I did to my debt.

well done on losing 12lbs

By: vilkri

vilkri — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:52:10 +0000

I usually have many balls in the air. Keeping my finances in good order and staying in shape are just two of these balls. But I am a very intense person…..

By: Calvin Froedge

Calvin Froedge — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:54:54 +0000

I think having a balance in life is important and one shouldn’t focus too much time on either the finances or the health issue. You’re going to drive yourself crazy and waste so much of your time. Constantly worrying and messing with your finances also defeats the purpose of putting your bills on autopay and having a budget, IMO a budget is supposed to help you from stressing over everything.