Cleaning House to Start Anew
Yesterday was the beginning of something new for Single Ma.
When I arrived home from work last night, the snow prevented my – umm – “daily” walk. I can’t explain why I like walking outdoors in the cold, but I was quite disappointed. In contrast, I hate the outdoors when it’s hot (greater than 70). Weird, I know. I also hate the treadmill and any repetitive activity. It makes me watch the clock and I quit too soon. I blame my ADD. So instead of torturing myself, I had to do something in honor of becoming the new ME.What did I do? My crazy butt decided to clean out the refrigerator and pantry. It was long overdue anyway and a necessary step to remove temptation. There wasn’t much in the fridge, we need to go grocery shopping AGAIN, but the pantry was another story. We had Pop Tarts, Tostitos, Oreos, and a bunch of other stuff I won’t even list. I told BabyGirl if she didn’t get that crap out of my house, it was going in the trash. She gave me a side eye and proceeded to load everything in two grocery bags. I’m sure she was thinking “you aint said nothing but a word!” I said “what are you going to do with that?” She said “I’m taking it to school for my friends!” like I had lost my mind. LOL Good enough.
Start Anew
This morning, I stopped at the grocery store and picked up:
Yoplait yogurt
Nature Valley granola bars
Bananas
Diced peaches
And women’s daily multi-vitamins (from CVS)
A week’s worth, all on sale, spent $14 total (excluding vitamins). Any combo of these will be our morning and afternoon snacks from now on. A friend of mine asked if the yogurt was light and she mentioned that she eats natural granola. Although her lifestyle inspires me to do better, we are at different places. She’s a certified Jazzercise instructor, she works out 5-6 times per week, and eating healthy is a daily habit. All of her choices have become 2nd nature. It’s not so easy for me. I’m just getting started and I have to work at my own pace. For someone who’s used to eating Reese’s cereal on Saturday morning, exchanging that junk for fruit flavored low fat yogurt, assorted flavor granola bars and fruit is a good start. Even though there are even healthier choices, I’m not ready for low cal, fat free, and organic just yet. I’ll get there eventually, but not right now.
My health goals are:
Slow changes
Consistent effort
Improvement
In that order exactly. This is my journey on my terms.
Fabulous Financials
Similarly, if you’re on a new personal finance journey, start anew by cleaning house first. But it has to be on YOUR terms. If, and only if, YOU are ready, declare TODAY as YOUR day. Remove the credit cards from your wallet. Freez them, shred them, whatever – just remove the temptation. If you don’t know “exactly” how much debt you owe, pull your credit reports to find out. Then familiarize yourself with Microsoft Excel. Create a list of your debt from largest to smallest, then create a list of your monthly living expenses. How does it stack up against your income? Let it all sink in. That’s it…for now. Don’t attempt to do too much too soon. As Clever Dude says, don’t let your finances overwhelm you. It’s a recipe for failure. Just take one step at a time to start anew. Clear your mind, get rid of the clutter, and organize your affairs.
What’s next?
I have no idea what the next step of my health journey will entail or how it will impact my finances, but I’ll share every step as soon as I figure it out. When dealing with money and my career, I can say with confidence – I got this! But when it comes to healthy living, I’m ashamed to admit that I’m venturing into a whole new world. That’s ok though because we all have to start somewhere. In just a few years, I’ll reflect on this moment and share my story. The same way I do with my finances. I’ll inspire someone else. It’s all just a matter of time.
What I need from you, my fabulous readers?
Please understand that I am not going on a diet, I am not counting calories, and I am not only trying to lose weight. I want to change my lifestyle. I want to change what I put IN my body and what I do TO my body, so I can FEEL and LOOK healthy. I don’t plan to do anything extreme and please don’t expect me to do everything just right. But I want you all to feel free to comment, make recommendations, share your experience, etc. Even if you want to criticize my choices, let me have it. Many years of hard knock experiences have given me a thick skin so it’s rolls off like butter baby. LOL Now I can’t promise that I won’t tell you what I think of your comment, but I need tough love to stay on track.
Cool?
[image credit: istockphoto.com]
This blog is a personal account of my journey to become Healthy & Wealthy. If you like what you've read, feel free to subscribe via (feed reader) or (email) to follow along.
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Fabulous Financials » Life is Not a Fairytale, Unhealthy Aint Cute (Pingback), 2 March 2008, 16:29
[...] a new attitude and added regular exercise to her previous sedentary lifestyle. In addition, she cleaned house to remove all temptation of old cravings, balanced her financials to estimate her remaining grocery [...]
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Fabulous Financials » February Goals Update (Pingback), 3 March 2008, 16:49
[...] isn’t a goal at all. It’s a lifestyle change and I am committed 110%. Last month, I cleaned house and started a new healthy living routine. Although my willpower was challenged several times, I [...]
After reading this post, and our discussion about wasting money….I realize I have a gym membership that’s costing me $479.96 a yr it’s up in July and I’ve been MAYBE 7 times.
No need to do anything rash or go on any crazy diets.. I go to http://www.fitday.com which is free it tracks the food you have been eating.. kind of like tracking your finances.. it also tracks your exersize. You dont have to count calories.. but by keeping track of what you are actually eating you can find out the carbs protiens and other such information. I have no relation to the site other than I use it.
We’re kindred spririts – I don’t understand how anyone can do repetitive activity (treadmill, etc) for every workout. I get so bored! I would much rather take a walk or a long bike ride.
I’m going through a similar thing – trying to rebuild my body and my financial house at the same time. It’s a ton of work, but necessary.
My two cents on the “healthy living” – focus more on how your clothes fit than on your weight (your “most amazing thing” hit the nail right on the head – it’s how you feel that’s most important). Inches will fall off before the lbs. I started a cardio kickboxing class seven weeks ago and have only lost six pounds – but I’m down a size – so I know that my body is getting stronger and healthier.
Good luck finding your own path!
Sounds like a good plan. I don’t like ‘gym workouts’ and get bored easily. The key is to find things that you do enjoy (like walking). I can be pretty sedentary during the wintertime but when the weather is pleasant, I go to the trail by our house. I generally rollerblade but am thinking of getting a bike.
As far as the food goes, I’m still working on that :-) I feed hubby the good stuff (plenty of fruit and yogurt) but I tend to go for the typical snacks (cookies and crackers) myself. I don’t know what your cooking habits are like but I find it easier to cook healthy than to snack healthy. I’ve never been one for fried foods but I’m definitely not a fan of veggies. Since I’m conscious of that fact, I seek out recipes that allow me to ’sneak’ the veggies in. Also, I’ve started making easy substitutions that don’t affect the taste. Brown rice instead of white rice, whole grain pasta instead of regular pasta, ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef in spaghetti, etc.
Ha!! Like Anna I use fitday as well LOL BUT that would require you to actually remember to log in.. Hmm I say start with a piece of paper and jot it down.. if you can journal 30 days you will be fine LOL
Trust when I say what you said is perfectly fine.. The fact that you made a start is a PLUS.. with your changes & consistency will lead to improvement. I don’t count calories.. its not worth it.. I do pay attention to the calories that I put in my body though.. ie. oreo cake vs. oreo cookie :)
Trade that Reese cereal for a higher fiber cereal.. you don’t always have to have yogurt.. :) One of my favorites was honey bunches of oats & raisin bran.. I now eat Fiber One Raisin Bran & Fiber One Honey Clusters.. :) same great taste with my daily dose of fiber..
We getting old ma.. gotta get your fiber in :) LOL Ok I’m done before I get kicked out!
had to offer up this site that i love as motivation. they are doing the same thing: http://zenhabits.net/2008/02/a-12-step-program-to-eating-healthier-than-ever-before/
it’s a great site, with great concepts….Just Like YOURS! i love your newsletter and read it from top to bottom.
keep up the great work.
A few months ago, I got on the whole ‘good for you, organic’ food. And to tell you the truth, if it wasn’t so expensive, I wouldnt have stopped. Organic food is not all wild seeds and bird food, a lot of it is really good. I tell you what, if you go to a store that happens to sell organic food, pick up organic shredded cheddar cheese, and I guarantee it will make you interested.
I’m happy you decided to do for your body what you are doing for your wallet.
Hey there Single-Ma – I really applaud not only what you are doing and why, but how you are taking this journey with us. Brava to you!
And wow – you are an INSPIRATION woman, giving your daughter all those nasties without sneaking in to her room at 3 in the morning and taking back just a little!
Hey! Love this new journey you are beginning. That is part of my 2008 goals as well. Mine is 1/2 financial and 1/2 health. I think there are soooo many parallels to both. Identifying the problem, tracking current situation and future spending (calorie intake)… then moving toward the goal tracking all the way.
I used to use fitday.com but have recently (5 months) switched to http://www.myfooddiary.com. Document food and exercise and it tells you where you fall for the day with smileys, frownies and suggestions. Great forums and informal groups. I got in with a challenge group and it is so much fun!! I absolutely love the layout – gets right to the point. The part I absolutely love is that it’s subtly inspiring. It tells me where I’ll be in 1 month, 3 months if I continue having days like I just had.
Keep up the movement!!
ok, this is getting weird. I was just saying to my very good girlfried that I was feeling fat and unhealthy and needed to get the temptation food out of my house and here comes your post. Wow.
For what it is worth, I have a piece of advice: give yourself plenty of movement options. I did not say specific exercise, just movement. I just found a belly dance instruction tv show that I am loving on at the moment. Sensual, loosens the hips, works the abs, all in 20 minutes. Sometimes I pull out our tv tennis “get off the couch game” and go 3 sets. I also like to put on the mp3 player and dance (esp. when I am cleaning my kitchen) and sometimes I like to do yoga. I have a treadmill and sometimes I am in the mood for that. I find that if I have a variety of movement options, I am more likely to do something. Movement makes me feel better, (which makes me eat better) not focusing on finding time for a specific exercise.
I’m cheering for ya and know it’s a lot of work to change habits, but I know those small changes start adding up pretty quick. I went through a similar switch a couple years ago and started small — making sure I always had healthy snacks on hand and lots of water — well that led to make sure I always had good sides on hand for dinner and eventually you couldn’t really force prepared food down my throat and I’d replaced all the crap with food that makes my body feel good. So really, it’s these little steps that gets you so much closer to your fitness friend. :)
A big plus, take it a bit at a time and don’t get all upset when one of those days strikes where you think “to heck with this, I want X to eat and I don’t care”, because when you’re getting all that good stuff, something here and there isn’t all that bad (and you’ll prolly find you don’t enjoy it as much as you thought you would anyways).
And here’s to you and Baby Girl getting through this too cause I can see a teen getting a bit attached to having certain food around. Luckily for my near-teen, I’ve always restricted what came in the house so switching to healthier stuff wasn’t that noticeable — other than more carrots and grapes on hand, which she loves anyway. :)
BabyGirl’s an athlete (track/cheerleading). Believe it or not, she doesn’t eat the junk, I do. [-SM]
i’ve been reading your blog for several weeks now and this is my first time commenting. i just gotta say, i’m so glad to have found this blog; you’re truly an inspiration! i too am going through a financial and health change in my life and i thank you for taking us along on this journey.
Congratulations, Single Ma! I applaud you for starting this journey. Here are the sites/blogs that I check out for health/fitness inspiration:
Skwigg’s World (she also has a blog):
http://skwigg.tripod.com/
Caustic Musings — here’s the Fitness Resource page:
http://maggiewang.com/resources/
These ladies are hardcore (and in Skwigg’s case, hilarious) in their committment to healthy eating and fitness, and while I myself am much more laidback in my approach, I learn a lot from both of these women.
Best of luck! I’m rooting for you 100%.
Try Kashi’s Strawberry Fields cereal. It’s not a bargain … but is so yummy and healthy. With real berries!
Good luck! I love your blog.
Hi SM! I am so with you here. DIETing does not work. I believe this at the core of my being. I am more of an eat everything, in moderation.
To help with your chocolate cravings – try LUNA Bars. There are S’mores, Nut’s Over Chocolate and Carmel Nut Brownie types. All are yummier then you would think for a healthy snack. My trainer – pointed me to these. They are 180 calories, low glycemic (so no sugar rush) and full of vitamins and minerals. I keep these in my purse, at my desk and in my car.
Next, I would suggest eating every 3 hours. Keep your motabolism working all day. I found out the hard way how important this is.
Then maybe get a step counter and try to get 10000 steps a day.
Eat what you want, but smaller portions. IF you are like me to go without will only deter you from progress. So, NEVER say NEVER. Life’s to short not to enjoy food.
I think that you will actually have a lot of fun on your fitness journey. One thing that helps me with healthy snacks is Trader Joes Grocery Store. Dang if that store isn’t the cheap alternative to Whole Foods. Going there is a treat! You get a nice selection of organic foods for great prices. Now the produce section is not the greatest, but my strategy is to go to TJ to buy my meats, frozen foods, healthy snacks, to a shoppers, giant or wegmans to buy the fruit and produce etc, and Whole Foods…when I want to make a special gourmet treat.
Also, depending on your time…going to farmers markets are also a real treat, especially if you like treats, because you can get homemade goodies that are not rife with junk. Even if you can only go once a month, I highly encourage if you can!!
Like you, I hate repetitive exercise. I try to break my week up with boot camp, running with a friend and dance class. I am letting the gym membership go at the end of this month. One thing that re-upped my physical fitness was joining a fitness boot camp ( if you would like some “xtra motivation”). THis might also be a good way to get a varied, yet results based workout.
Ever since this class…I can only go running outside and get this..I actually enjoy it. Dance classes are also fun…Belly Dance or African Dance…you will move muscles you never thought you had :-)
Anyway I know where you are…..have fun with the journey.
Go SM go! Another fan here! I would say that the rule of shopping on the edges of the supermarket (where the less processed food is) is a great help. I find for what I buy (produce, grains, canned beans) WF is comparable to TJs in price. Its when you start buying a lot of prepared foods and those temping goodies etc that WF becomes (truly) Whole Paycheck!
A book that has really motivated me in terms of being more careful of what I eat (and more ok with spending money on healthier food) is The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Its fascinating.
Though I like using the gym, we don’t currently have the money for a membership (or maybe I should say that we are repositioning our financial resources in different areas) and therefore I have been trying out different resources. I use the website for fitness magazine (fitnessmagazine.com) to help give me little workouts when I am not in the mood for anything- do a few of them in a row and you’ve gotten yourself a good workout! (I like the tank-top toned one). I also buy that magazine as a splurge a couple of times of year to keep me inspired. I also have enjoyed some workouts at beyou.tv and I have bought a few workouts from iTunes (I really like Misty Tripoli’s Tribal Yoga). Finally, if you do enjoy yoga, yogatoday has a free podcast daily off of iTunes or their site — hour long workouts which are really good. Its fun to search around iTunes and see what is out there. There is a good beginning runner’s podcast on there, I think called from Couch to 5K.
Oh, and try to stay AWAY from high fructose corn syrup! Its sooooo hard…I know.
Best of luck, thanks for inviting us along on your journey!
Another vote for TJs. Fantastic food in general, though around here (Boston), WF has significantly better produce. But the WF Store brand foods are similar in price to TJs, for the most part.
What I like best about TJs is the amount of food there that is preservative free.
Good luck with your healthy lifestyle journey. Hopefully you will be an inspiration to many.
Go SM! I would also say read up on health/fitness as well. I find that there’s still a lot of misinformation out there about dieting/exercise that causes people to waste their time/energy and not even lose the weight! Good luck on your journey!
In the meantime I know you’d enjoy this Youtube clip called “Thick Chicks” LOL!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyG8Zf5RM7g
LadyBug,
I have to say you are doing a great thing. I agree with your efforts. Not to much to soon and just changing the lifestyle.
I will pray for your success!!!