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VIDEOWeighing In
By
Laurie Petersen Jan 09, 2009 8:30 am
It's New Year's resolution time
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I never intended to be a cliché, but when the New Year rolled around, I made a resolution to lose weight.
My motivation is really vanity. I don’t like the way my clothes fit and I have a big class reunion this year. But the effort to shrink my bottom should have positive effects on my bottom line as well.
Weight tends to affect health. Bad health creates all kinds of unwanted expenses - higher life insurance premiums, recurring prescription costs and doctor and hospital bills.
In the near term, I’m healthy. I just don’t want to shell out any cash for clothing in a size I don’t want to be in. No matter how radically stores are slashing their prices.
Rather than springing for a gym membership right away, I elected to join a program that has worked for many of my friends and family. I don’t have time to figure out food science. I respond well to structure and accountability. So I’m now on day 4 of Weight Watchers and already down 5 pounds!
Mindless eating is just like mindless spending. When you stop to consider every move you’re making -- and actually write it down -- it really does help alter the behavior.
I sprang for the $39.95 monthly pass that gives me unlimited face-to-face meetings, plus a full range of online support tools. I cut out another online service I subscribe to and use infrequently, so the cost is a wash.
I know it's important for me to move around more, but I’m less inclined to pay for that privilege. At some point, I do need to learn strength training. But gym memberships fall into that category of well-intentioned purchases I abandon after just a few visits.
For now, to satisfy my movement requirements, I intend to step up the walking and try to score some time on a Nintendo Wii Fit. Maybe I can befriend a personal trainer for instruction in the proper way to handle weights.
At first I thought it would be more expensive to eat well. But a bag of baby carrots lasts a lot longer than a chocolate bar. Smaller portion sizes also mean I’m making everything I eat last longer.
My daughter is cheering me on - and will probably benefit from my example of shooting for a goal and maintaining the discipline to achieve it. By talking about it, I figure I have no choice but to stick with the plan. Whatever works, you know?
With all the economic and political turmoil in the world, I enjoy something I feel I have some control over.
Everybody’s different. Paying for something can encourage you to take it more seriously. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get in shape. USA Today had a great roundup this week for ways to diet on a dime.
It includes a segment on helping kids stay healthy, too.
Happy New Year!
What’s your resolution? Now it's your turn to weigh in on The Exchange.
No positions in stocks mentioned.
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