Financially prepared?

2

Replies

  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Eat less, do more. You can buy "healthy" foods or you can just eat less of whatever you eat. Start tracking what you eat on here and work on making better choices and watching portion control. Walking is free, there's lots of fitness workouts online or you can buy DVD's for $10 or less to do at home. If you don't want to wait, then don't wait. Start making better choices right now.
  • Ultragirl2374
    Ultragirl2374 Posts: 390 Member
    Don't wait anymore! Start now!!! Set goals, get moving, log everyday......it doesn't have to cost a thing! You don't need anything but a positive attitude!!! :)
  • Ultragirl2374
    Ultragirl2374 Posts: 390 Member
    Eat lots of fresh veggies and fruits. Try to avoid processed foods as much as possible.
    As for exercise.....just get moving. Go for walks, dance around your living room.... The more you do the easier it will become.
  • gsdz4me
    gsdz4me Posts: 66 Member
    I guess I should have mentioned that I'm 19 and roughly 40lbs over weight. I've had no desire for exercise. I have a horrible way of taking care of myself and I know that ten years down the road, I don't want to live the way I'm living now. So I wasn't making an excuse for myself, I just wanted to know what would be good to start eating to help lose some weight and what would also be good for exercise..
    Logging everything and see how you can change. in some cases it is a matter of portion size. Do you have a dog or know of someone who has a dog that I am sure would love getting out and walking with you.
  • mustang289
    mustang289 Posts: 299 Member
    You joined in March and haven't done anything yet?
    If you had filled out your profile, started logging your food, paid attention to what the numbers add up to, you could have lost at MINIMUM 6-10 pounds by now. Many people have lost 20-30 pounds since March.

    This site is FREE
    Walking is FREE
    You have to eat anyway, just eat less of what you are already eating and SAVE MONEY.

    Just DOOOO IIIIITTTTTT !!!!
  • samshinequinlan
    samshinequinlan Posts: 10
    Uh, no. Unfortunately I have no license and live a good hour and a half from my friends and family. And I don't eat proper meals. I end up doing a lot of snacking throughout the day. Or some times I only eat a meal a day. I feel like because I have no job and no proper schedule I'm unorganized and lazy. I go to bed when I feel like it, I wake up when I feel like it. It's not healthy in the slightest bit. So for now I guess I'll just do my best to log in every day of what I eat, drink more water and try and go for a walk for half an hour.
  • kristarablue2
    kristarablue2 Posts: 386 Member
    I know what it is like to have absolutely no money and yes purchasing good food can cost a little bit more...HOWEVER...you will not be wasting money on eating out or eating as much. Your social life will change because you will want to workout and take a walk instead of meeting someone at a bar...restaurant...shopping...ect...ect...ect. Look at sales on lean meats and fresh produce. Did I mention you will be eating less. You got this!!!! In the end you could easily save money and feel great about yourself.
  • KeepCalmNGetyaSweatOn
    KeepCalmNGetyaSweatOn Posts: 361 Member
    Try reading the book, "You on a Diet." Before when I knew absolutely nothing about weight loss it really explained things in detail. Especially the important things you need to know. Some of it you can take with a grain of salt, but if you're starting from the very bottom of the healthy totem pole it could at least give you some insight to start. There is so much weight loss mumbo jumbo out there, this book sticks to the facts and provides some great info. Good luck & add me if you'd like!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
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  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    Uh, no. Unfortunately I have no license and live a good hour and a half from my friends and family. And I don't eat proper meals. I end up doing a lot of snacking throughout the day. Or some times I only eat a meal a day. I feel like because I have no job and no proper schedule I'm unorganized and lazy. I go to bed when I feel like it, I wake up when I feel like it. It's not healthy in the slightest bit. So for now I guess I'll just do my best to log in every day of what I eat, drink more water and try and go for a walk for half an hour.

    You can still lose weight while waking up/going to bed when you want to. I like my sleep, and tend to sleep in when I don't have to be up. Just tell yourself that no matter what, you're going to go for that walk. Find ways to make your water tasty. Buy some fresh or frozen fruit, put it in a bottle with some water, let it sit for a day or two in the fridge, and you have natural fruit flavored water :)
  • melfitnesspal13
    melfitnesspal13 Posts: 378 Member
    Not sure where you live but if you live somewhere where they have a food pantry you could register and get some free food. The one in my church gives fresh/frozen meat, sauces, often they have fresh veggies/fruit, all sorts of good stuff. If you are lazy then you are probably purchasing pre-cooked food, big mistake. Tons of cooking videos online, no need to say you can't cook. Sounds like you may not be ready to start your journey yet......
  • aFootballLife25
    aFootballLife25 Posts: 63 Member
    I definitely spend less when eating healthy and on a cutting diet.
  • aFootballLife25
    aFootballLife25 Posts: 63 Member
    And yeah, start fkn cooking. Meat and veggies.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/963088-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy
  • gracetillman
    gracetillman Posts: 190 Member
    If you are used to eating large quantities of cheap food, you might see an increase in your overall grocery budget when you switch to healthier foods

    or

    (And this is what happened to me)

    When I stopped buying all the processed foods and no packaged "diet" products -- I now buy whole foods -- mostly organic -- and I cook a lot more but I am enjoying what I eat a lot more!! My family appreciates it too!!' I have swapped out the cookies for fruit -- frozen meals for leftovers of great dinners --

    My grocery budget stayed the same.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,281 Member
    It has not cost me any money to lose weight.

    I am eating less in general and eating healthier food - generally speaking, fruit and veg are cheaper than meat - and plain basic foods like rice, bread, eggs etc are not expensive - you must be eating now, so I dont think the food you change to will be any dearer.
    Plain tap water is free. You cant get a cheaper drink than that.

    Sure, gym memberships are dear and sports shoes are dear - but you must own a pair of shoes of some sort that you can walk in and you can do exercise DVDs in your own house.

    And if you don't have a job, you don't have the 'no time to cook' excuse.


    Sorry OP, this is a really poor excuse to do nothing.
  • JUDDDing
    JUDDDing Posts: 1,367 Member
    You joined in March and haven't done anything yet?
    If you had filled out your profile, started logging your food, paid attention to what the numbers add up to, you could have lost at MINIMUM 6-10 pounds by now. Many people have lost 20-30 pounds since March.

    This site is FREE
    Walking is FREE
    You have to eat anyway, just eat less of what you are already eating and SAVE MONEY.

    Just DOOOO IIIIITTTTTT !!!!


    ^ This - all of it.

    I was 280 pounds on March 1st. Now, under 245.

    The only thing I've bought that is related closely to weight loss is maybe a new pair of shoes after I started running.

    All of this "healthy food" stuff is people's personal choices (and over time - you'll probably make some healthier choices too) - but to lose weight, just eat less of what you already eat.

    So, if anything - it will be cheaper as your food will last longer. (I've noticed that a bag of chips takes _forever_ to eat when you eat appropriate portions.)

    Even the exercise is a choice (although, again, over time you'll probably start). I'd lost almost 30 pounds before I started exercising.
  • gregpack
    gregpack Posts: 426 Member
    So for now I guess I'll just do my best to log in every day of what I eat, drink more water and try and go for a walk for half an hour.


    Big first steps right there. If you log honestly you'll see where the excess calories come from and will find ways to trim them down. Most people would lose weight if they walked, didn't drink their calories, and cut the majority of bread out of their diet.
  • herblackwings39
    herblackwings39 Posts: 3,930 Member
    Not sure if it's been recommended yet but get your information into MFP and start tracking what you're eating now. Whether you start making changes or not just tracking everything you eat is helpful. Weigh and measure your portions for accuracy. What to eat can be a huge debate. Personally I'd suggest just focusing on serving sizes of the things you're eating now to cut back without feeling deprived. Consider little changes you can make that won't be overwhelming.

    For exercise walking is great and it's free.
  • Gidzmo
    Gidzmo Posts: 905 Member
    I honestly don't know where to start. I don't really know what healthy food I need to eat. And I don't know what kind of exercises I should be starting out with.

    Exercise: walking is always free. All you need is a good pair of shoes. A dog or walking buddy is optional.

    Food: veggies and fruits are good. Also whole grains for your breads, cereals, and pastas as often as possible.
    Water as often as possible.

    Hope that helps!
  • AleciaG724
    AleciaG724 Posts: 705 Member
    Eat less. Move more. Start now. Cost = nothing!
  • alisonlynn1976
    alisonlynn1976 Posts: 929 Member
    I spend less money on food now than I used to. I have spent on weights and workout clothes, but those are not necessities. There are plenty of ways to exercise for free.
  • foxys_mum
    foxys_mum Posts: 67 Member
    It is sooo much cheaper to buy base ingredients & cook healthy foods.. As for exercise all you need is a good pair of trainers or walking shoes and off you go. These can be saved for whilst saving money on crap foodstuff!
  • shadowkat57
    shadowkat57 Posts: 151 Member
    You sound a bit depressed, mate. Are you ok? I understand your lifestyle - I've been there, and my chronically depressed partner is still there.
    To the best of your ability, you need to take some control over your life. Set yourself a schedule, work out a routine - wake up at the same time each day, eat small regular meals, take regular exercise. Set yourself small, achievable tasks - maybe vacuum Monday, clean toilet Tuesday etc. Set a time each day to exercise. Make yourself interact with people occasionally. Take up a hobby. You need to give your life some purpose.
    PM me if you want, or send a friend request.
  • CristyMusicLovr
    CristyMusicLovr Posts: 179 Member
    Just invest in a Pam spray so that you wont fry food. Eat your regular stuff, just use less mayo, use less of the fattier stuff. I love eggs so I buy the large carton of egg whites.
  • iggyboo93
    iggyboo93 Posts: 524 Member
    Eating healthier is less expensive for me. Fast food is expensive - oatmeal, eggs, apples, salad, and vegetables are cheaper.

    You can do a lot of exercise at home or outside. 30DS DVDs are $9 at Target or Walmart. Hand weights are under $20.

    Think of it this way, getting fit is a lot more cost effective than shelling out for doctor visit copays and prescription meds for high blood pressure and diabetes. You have to pay out some even with insurance.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    Nope, I am not financially prepared for the results of lower calories and moving more. But, it doesn't matter because I am going to keep doing the things I have started doing. I started in October didn't actually mean to but I did. Then I found this place in March and the people here are a bad influence so I started walking everyday for at least an hour my new target goal, my old goal was like 30 minutes every other day. So, a lot of my pants have become ridiculously big on me so I will need new pants soon. I think I can survive on the couple pairs of shorts I have and the couple of skirts I have for the summer though. But, by fall I will have to get new clothes for sure. I will probably end up trying Freecycle, Craigslist, and the thrift stores to get my fall wardrobe. I won't get clothes for beyond the fall and winter seasons though, because I don't know where I will be by next summer.
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    I haven't had turkey one time since I started. I buy chicken, pork and beef. I just don't buy the processed meats.

    BACON!

    BACON!

    Let me add...BACON!
  • AprilRN10
    AprilRN10 Posts: 548 Member
    No. Produce costs more, but if you are eating less and healthier (less meat, processed stuff, etc.) then it is cheaper. The only plan you really need is that you are going to do it. Use MFP and get to it! :)
  • kitza101
    kitza101 Posts: 99 Member
    You sound a bit depressed, mate. Are you ok? I understand your lifestyle - I've been there, and my chronically depressed partner is still there.
    To the best of your ability, you need to take some control over your life. Set yourself a schedule, work out a routine - wake up at the same time each day, eat small regular meals, take regular exercise. Set yourself small, achievable tasks - maybe vacuum Monday, clean toilet Tuesday etc. Set a time each day to exercise. Make yourself interact with people occasionally. Take up a hobby. You need to give your life some purpose.
    PM me if you want, or send a friend request.

    This.

    Please feel very welcome to friend me. It helps to have people to talk with and share these things with - I am a lot more motivated since I found friends than I was when I was doing it all by myself.

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