After going to a high school football game with my family, I now realize that I need to get healthy!
Why? Because I noticed that many of the other parents were both thinner and healthier than I was, so right there and then, I decided to “Get Healthy“!
Actually the reasons I want to “get healthy” are more complex that the one above, but it is the one that broke the camel’s back! Other stronger reasons include: wanting to be around for when my kids grow up, living a more fulfilling lifestyle, looking better so my kids get older they won’t be ebarrassed to be see out in public with me (lol) and the list goes on and on. So there are really many reasons I want to lose weight!
Getting Healthy doesn’t really require a formalized, overly complex plan. In fact, one way to get healthy is just to stop eating as much! It doesn’t get much simpler than that! I know a peer at work that loved to cook, he lost over 100 pound by eating all the great things that he cooked, but he just ate less in quantity!
So as a financial blogger, what is my frugal plan to “Get Healthy”?
I’m going to start by going on a low carb diet! From experience, I know that by going on such a diet, I can lose somewhere between 10 to 20 pounds in the first 2 weeks, just by cutting out the carbs (carbs are foods with a high carbohydrate number; like sugar, breads, pasta, etc.)!
After the first 2 weeks have passed, then I can add additional elements into the mix to “get healthy“. Below is a list the changing steps:
- Week 3 and week 4: Add some carb friendly vegetables (brocoli, and greens) to the diet.
- Next 12 to 24 months: All of the above, plus the addition of walking and other light workout activities for a total workout time of 20 to 30 minutes a day.
- Time after 2 years: All of the above, but trying to make the workout even more entertaining! Go hiking, swimming, bike riding, jogging, walking at the mall and parks (it’s not just for the very old), etc… You are only restricted by your own imagination here!
The key is to make the workout activities as entertaining as possible. So if you are working out with weights, listen to some motivating music to help get your blood pumping. If you are walking, listen to music on a mp3 player or better yet, listen to an audiobook while you walk. I’m betting that if you listen to a good audiobook that, you may even walk, ride a bike or go hiking for an even longer time frame!
Conclusion:
The plan I’m going to follow above is a guideline. It doesn’t have to be perfect! The most important thing from this post is that you need to start right now! No more procrastinating on this because start tomorrow might extent to weeks, months, years and until never! Never is way too late!!!
Can you think of any additional ways to make losing weight both fun and rewarding?
-MR
I have a big issue with food quantity. I wish I could solve my problem by showing some restraint. I know I shouldn’t have a second helping but I go and do it anyway.
Good Luck.
I just need to exercise more and stop eating midnight snacks!
Have fun! My big thing when I had to change my diet was not just limiting what I could eat, but finding new things I hadn’t eaten before. Like quinoa, various fruits and veggies, etc.
I didn’t go Atkins, I went Glycemically Balanced, which is similar but you won’t get dinged for fruits and veggies unless all you eat are grapes. Adding to that it’s important to listen to your body– you do get fuller sooner on this kind of eating plan.
Wow, thanks for the great advice!
A few years back I went Atkins, but it was harsh! Vitamins are definitely required in that diet!
I was going to go South Beach this time around, but I’ll now look into that “Glacemically Balanced” approach you too!!!
Thanks!
Well, GI (Glycemic Index) isn’t necessarily going to work for everyone, but it is miraculous for people who have problems with insulin.
It’s pretty healthy for most folks, but the pounds melt away if the main reason you’re overweight is because your blood sugar doesn’t work right (not because you keep eating when you’re full etc). If you responded to Atkins or South Beach it might work well for you too.
The main goal is slowing your digestion so your body can digest the food and turn it to energy without spiking your insulin, if that is a problem. You do this by eliminating foods that are digested right away (sugars, refined carbs) and combining easily digestible foods with protein or vinegar to slow them down.
Lots of cultures already do this– think about kimchee or turnip pickles or fermented soybeans etc. as an appetizer. In the US you could do a light cucumber salad with no-sugar vinaigrette.
Money Reasons – When my kids were younger, I stayed thin because I only ate healthy because I fed the kids only healthy stuff (generally). But, what seemed more important was my constant activity with them. The bike rides, the walks, the whiffle ball, the frisbee, the chasing… It was not a structured ‘diet plan’ but a way of life.
Now my kids are older and I am not as thin as I once was unfortunately. I totally tie it to my not having as much general activity during the day now that everyone has been in school. My ‘way of life’ shifted.
For me, if I dieted, I would think about food so much I would just want to eat constantly. What works best for me is to make sure I am never starving. When I am starving, I reach for the quickest, usually worst for you food because it sounds so darn good and it’s easy.
In synopsis, this is what works for me:
*eat small, healthy things throughout the day
*have healthy foods in the house
*get outside and be active!
Good advice as usual 🙂
I’ll definitely take your approach once I get to weeks 5 and beyond.
Have a great weekend!
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Good luck! What ever the motivation-health is the most important gift we have, we squander it and it is difficult to recoup. I’m with you!
Thanks for the encouragement!
I need to get in shape to enjoy more time with my kids (before they grow up on me!!!)
MR,
one big thing I discovered that helped me to work out regularly (I do it daily) was really simple. You won’t believe how simple it is. 🙂
It’s a daily alarm. Yes, a simple alarm. Not necesarrily a clock – I have a Google Calendar reminder with SMS. When it goes off (SMS arrives) at 11pm (I’m working out late) – I just get up and do the work out.
The big thing about this is that you actually expect this time. At 10pm I already start to think about working out.
One more thing – you need to make a contract with yourself about why you won’t work out sometimes. My personal: “I’m sick or one of my bones/ligaments actually hurt”. It’s bad to work out when you’re sick. But I don’t work out ONLY THOSE CONDITIONS. Almost every other reason my brain comes up with is discarded.
Last thing. When the alarm goes off and you’re feeling lazy to do it – start moving a little. Get up, move your hands, move your head. You just need a little impulse to start.
That’s the whole secret that keeps me many-many years on daily track. Nowadays I don’t even argue with myself whether I should start – just doing it.
Hope that helps. 🙂
Very clever making your workout part of your required daily routine!
Sounds like a great solution 🙂
thanks for the tip!
@moneyreasons
I thought your exercise tips were right on (making it as enjoyable experience as possible will ensure that you come back to it). Overall, I am huge on portion control (but different people have different issues) Thus, I don’t restrict any one type of food , which helps me stick to the plan. It’s not perfect though but has worked for me. Best of luck, and make sure you give us follow ups!
Thank Roshawn!
I’ll have to lookup proportion control,but it sounds like a great balanced approach!
I’ll probably blog a monthly entry just to trace my performance.
Have a great weekned!
good idea on blogging about it and making your readers hold you accountable. working out and staying in shape is part of my lifestyle. i know something is missing or lacking from my life when i go on a dry spell. health is wealth, and staying fit for me at least has led to tremendous results in output / productivity. all the best and keep us posted.