Does anyone else find that having money ends up making you gain weight

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Replies

  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    That's a new excuse. Haven't heard that one before. I'm overweight because I have too much money.
  • Hamsibian
    Hamsibian Posts: 1,388 Member
    Better figure this out now because Freshman 15. Common factors that contribute to it:

    1. Eating out too often, and it usually consists of high calorie 3 course dishes. Got to have that extra cheesy nachos with heaping amounts of sour cream...for appetizers! Same with the university cafeteria.
    2. Going automatically to the vending machine or cafe between class and study breaks.
    3. Sitting for hours in lectures, then sitting for hours studying. Little to no movement everyday.

    It's fine to do each of these things every once in a while, but easily fixable if you have self control issues. No matter what any university student says, you will have time to plan out your meals and snacks for the week. Make a list, and don't deviate from it. when eating at restaurants, buy low calorie healthier dishes and/or share food with friends. Same with cafes and vending machines - swap your snickers-unicorn-happy go lucky Frappuccino for regular coffee and cream. Not only are those drinks and snacks calorie bombs, they're wallet bombs as well. College life can be pricey, you want to save that money as much as possible for somethingbmore important.

    Oh, and move more. Studying on campus? Get up every 20 minutes to jog or do jumping jacks in place. Don't worry about what other people think - chances are they have their faces buried in their books or laptops.
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  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Well if you look at society, poorer people have higher obesity issues than those who are well above the poverty line.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    Bulllsh$#%%!

    Developed countries are the fattest countries.

    Some exception are the South Pacific, who were taught the "Western ways of eating".

    The list of the least obese countries comprised of third world countries.

    13 JUNE 2017
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/the-most-obese-fattest-countries-in-the-world/
  • DamieBird
    DamieBird Posts: 651 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    That's a new excuse. Haven't heard that one before. I'm overweight because I have too much money.

    :D

    Maybe you're eating the money..money has a high carb content you know :D

    Yeah, but low net carbs, 'cause of all the fiber
  • WJS_jeepster
    WJS_jeepster Posts: 224 Member
    How is it that you all of a sudden "have money" due to going to university? I all of a sudden had a whole lot LESS money when I went to school. Do you not need to save that money to buy books and pay lab fees and stuff?
  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
    How is it that you all of a sudden "have money" due to going to university? I all of a sudden had a whole lot LESS money when I went to school. Do you not need to save that money to buy books and pay lab fees and stuff?

    Scholarship, grants, financial aids, loans, work study, etc.

    I also started having a lot more money in my first year college. Enough to get me my own compact car.
  • cbstewart88
    cbstewart88 Posts: 453 Member
    Um. What?
  • kpkitten
    kpkitten Posts: 164 Member
    It's a bit different having money of your own when you live in your parents home and have meals cooked for you, to when your money is providing everything you live off.
    I get the impression you still live at home and this will be the first time you're looking after yourself. In that case, unless you're happy to live off bigmacs and donuts (I was a secret junk eater at school but always ate proper meals as well, but I did know people who only ate bread and chicken at uni so maybe you would be happy with that), you'll quickly realise that you need to spend money on proper food.
    When money is a luxury, it's easy to waste on things that give short term happiness. When it's a necessity, you might not make the best choices, but you're likely to make better choices because there's nobody else to make sure you get vegetables now and then!
  • jennybearlv
    jennybearlv Posts: 1,519 Member
    I can relate. I am a housewife who is very budget minded when spending the family money. However, any time I've had a job and more than enough money to spend going to Starbucks everyday, eating out for three meals a day, or throwing that candy bar in the cart at the grocery store become habits. I think combined with the work stress I go overboard and the eating gets way out of control. My issue may be as much about time as money, but yes, some of us struggle with spending money on poor decisions. Whenever I have extra money from my birthday or Christmas I spend it all on fitness equipment or smaller clothes now, so not much temptation to eat it. You just have to change your focus.
  • AmyOutOfControl
    AmyOutOfControl Posts: 1,425 Member
    Being poor means you can only afford crap food. Statistically, poverty is equated to an increased incidence of obesity in the US.

    http://stateofobesity.org/socioeconomics-obesity/
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    I was at my heaviest when I was flat broke. Not that I'm exactly made of money now, but back then I worked long hours for little pay. The long hours meant more frequent stops at the drive thru and less time to exercise.
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    Rice-a-Toni and hamburger and box Mac and cheese was what I could afford for a long time, I ate it regularly and was overweight. With a little more to work with, I buy quality meats and seafood and tons of fresh veggies. So, it's the opposite for me.
  • cnbbnc
    cnbbnc Posts: 1,267 Member
    Having more money now...I do spend more on food, but it's good food...protein and my supplements. Beyond that...I don't like "eating" my money. I'd rather buy something fun for myself or for my house....go to a movie or something.

    Also agree that just because you have money doesn't mean it needs to be spent immediately.

    There isn't anything you'd rather buy than junk and candy???
  • squirtychookgirl
    squirtychookgirl Posts: 9 Member
    edited July 2017
    In a way it could be true that having money could cause you to gain weight since you could purchase ANY food with gay abandon.

    I have discovered the opposite though that in order to eat a healthy, well balanced diet, it can cost MORE since processed foods are generally cheaper and higher in fat, salt and sugar, the ingredients we should be trying to avoid since they do not offer the best nutrition.

    It was lack of willpower and mindlessness when it comes/came to food that caused my weight gain. Now I am mindful of what I eat and have decided that I never want to be that person with a BMI of 34+ and the girth of the Michelin man.
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,111 Member
    I do eat out more when I have extra money but I also spend more money on higher quality groceries at home, workout classes, and activities.
  • pmoloney1
    pmoloney1 Posts: 5 Member
    I would never be tempted to buy candy with my money. I would buy clothing that fit my hot body from losing weight! But I guess that's your addiction...it sounds like you have a money managing problem. I suggest looking into David Ramsey's Financil Peace and get that worked out before you have that money .
  • kyrannosaurus
    kyrannosaurus Posts: 350 Member
    Money management and weight management are very similar problems.

    Money management: have a budget; spend less than you earn
    Weight management: have a calorie allowance; eat less than you burn

    Both require planning and self control. But at the end of the day, they are both simple equations.

    If you're leaving for university and entering the adult world for the first time you are really going to need to learn how to responsibly manage your finances.
  • paulwatts747
    paulwatts747 Posts: 60 Member
    edited July 2017
    Statistics show that obesity occurs at a much higher level in the less affluent areas (in generally affluent places like the US, UK and Australia that is).
  • robynsg2014
    robynsg2014 Posts: 3 Member
    Victoria Beckham once said "if I ever feel like chocolate, I buy a new pair of shoes"

    Spend your money on something else.

    FYI most people put on weight when they start university.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    edited July 2017
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Well if you look at society, poorer people have higher obesity issues than those who are well above the poverty line.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png

    Bulllsh$#%%!

    Developed countries are the fattest countries.

    Some exception are the South Pacific, who were taught the "Western ways of eating".

    The list of the least obese countries comprised of third world countries.

    13 JUNE 2017
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/the-most-obese-fattest-countries-in-the-world/

    Generally speaking, when a person says "look at society," he or she means the society in which he or she is living. Here in America, the most obese populations are in the poorest areas. I live in Southern Appalachia, where we have a) poverty b)obesity and c) one of the highest rated of diabetes in the US.

    No, ovesity is not a problem in Haiti or Mozambique, there the problems are malnutrition and diseases that we prevent with good hygiene and vaccines. However, they aren't on an internet chat board asking if having money makes you fat. The answer to that in America and most developed nation's is "no, because generally more money comes from better education, including education about health and nutrition." Stop trying to pick a fight, please. Context counts.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    It's not the money in the hand which causes weight gain, but rather the brain which directs the hand to put the money down, and the consequent exchange of calories for money that then occurs, which causes weight gain.
  • ChelzFit
    ChelzFit Posts: 292 Member
    From my experience having more money means we are able to travel more and eat out more which probably can lead to weight gain. I just have to work on moderation and I have learned not every night out is a free for all else it will catch up to me.
  • kenyonhaff
    kenyonhaff Posts: 1,377 Member
    Just be mindful how you celebrate or reward yourself. Food is often abused as both. It takes awareness to make better choices. Instead of ice cream get quality coffee. Go on outings not restaurants so much or pack a picnic.
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    pmoloney1 wrote: »
    I would never be tempted to buy candy with my money. I would buy clothing that fit my hot body from losing weight! But I guess that's your addiction...it sounds like you have a money managing problem. I suggest looking into David Ramsey's Financil Peace and get that worked out before you have that money .
    Great suggestion. I do know FPU does work in helping a lot of people with their finances.

  • Sara2652
    Sara2652 Posts: 158 Member
    Yes. Think of people who win the lottery and often end up losing it to their vices(gambling, alcohol, drugs, sex). I'm guessing you are using food (the fatty, sugary, salty stuff) as entertainment, comfort and to 'treat' yourself. Trust me I understand because thats what those foods do for me.

    Make a budget for yourself so you understand were that money needs to go and what ever is left over save it for something you really want, to donate or invest. If you can learn how to do this now you will be in such better financial shape then most adults.

    Then you will need to be honest about what those foods are doing for you and look for alternative ways to satisfy those needs. Also keep tracking even if you are not 'dieting' because thats powerful information you can use when you want to change habits.
  • __TMac__
    __TMac__ Posts: 1,669 Member
    You need a budget.

    https://www.youneedabudget.com
  • michael1976_ca
    michael1976_ca Posts: 3,488 Member
    I understand you op. having money widely available your tempted to make poor decisions. it happens like a few days ago I had 4 burgers from mcdonalds and some poutines. but for me that was a treat because I live an hour away. so that stops me from eating there more often. but I agree with other posters. maybe instead of swear jar have a junk food jar
  • haroldrios1692
    haroldrios1692 Posts: 90 Member
    My pockets are kinda fat!!!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I was at my slimmest when i was broke because i just couldn't afford to go grocery shopping whenever the whim hit.

    This doesn't explain why there seems to be so many more overweight/obese people in the poorer suburbs where i live.... I haven't read all the responses yet, so maybe someone has come up with a theory of why this is??
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