Physical Fitness and Personal Finance
I’ve heard people say, “the same skills required to manage your personal finances are the same skills required to become physically fit.” Honestly, I thought that was bullshit. But I finally get it now. For the first time in my life, I’m committed to a regular exercise routine and sculpting a – dare I say it – FABULOUS figure. LOL! Notice, I did NOT say anything about losing weight. When people focus on losing weight, and only on losing weight, it becomes a temporary solution, not a lifestyle change. As I mentioned in this post, my perspective on many things in life has changed – and physical fitness is one of them.
Not only have I been working out, but I’m also reading, researching, studying, observing, and networking with fitness and nutrition professionals to learn how the body operates and how to get the best long term results. This means, I will make educated decisions to improve my physical fitness and fully understand what I’m doing to my body, not follow the latest trend of diet fads. If I decide to share my experience on the blog, you may read things that the average person would think is counterproductive. However, my long term readers and real life friends who read the blog already know that when I’m dedicated to something, I study first, then act. The things I do often challenge status quo and conventional wisdom, but the results are undeniable. To keep this personal finance related, I’ll give you two examples:
Example 1: I know to improve a credit score, one must have revolving accounts and use them often. However, to be effective and use them wisely, one must pay the bill in full every month. Whereas, the average person hates credit cards or thinks one must carry a balance and stay in debt to build credit. Because I challenge status quo and conventional wisdom, I’ve had multiple credit cards (10+) with very high limits ($30k+). As expected, this makes the average person uncomfortable, but those who truly understand the FICO algorithm know how to play the game. As a result, all of my credit scores are in the top percentile (760+) and I’ve learned how to maintain them long term.
Example 2: I know to advance in a career, one must exceed expectations, toot your own horn, ask for what you want, and network. However, to be effective, all of these things require a little charisma. Whereas, the average person feels uncomfortable tooting their own horn, is afraid to ask for what they want, and hates networking. Because I challenge status quo and conventional wisdom, I understand that “working hard” is not the solution to career advancement. As expected, this frustrates the average person, but those who truly understand the good old boy’s system know how to play the game. As a result, I advanced to a position in 6 years that takes the average person 20+ years, if ever. Now that I’ve begun year 7 and competing with vets, I’m in maintenance mode but ambition is still brewing.
In both examples, I learned the most from reading, researching, studying, observing others in the know, and networking with “experts” – i.e. people who have done it and proven it, not people who are well known just because they’ve written a book or two on the subject. I plan to approach my new commitment to physical fitness with the same vigor and dedication I give to my personal finances and career. As with everything I do, it’s all or nothing. GO HARD OR GO HOME!
- Advanced Degree? Check!
- Fast Track Career w/ 6 Figures? Check!
- Cash and Investments? Check!
- Excellent Credit? Check!
- Home Owner? Check!
- Consumer Debt Free? Check!
- Banging Body? Pa-dow!
I’m only beginning week 3 of my fitness journey. But by this time next year, y’all won’t be able to tell me nay-than! With my only child on her way to college and entering my mid-30s, I will be the baddest b!tch you’ve ever seen! Ha! I’m recruiting for new haters. Go ahead, you have permission now. LOL!
[image credit: abqjournal.com]
This blog is all about Finance, Fitness, Fashion & Fun - the sum of my life. If you like what you've read, feel free to subscribe via (feed reader) or (email) to follow along.
I honestly never thought about the career/finance approach working for fitness, but it makes total sense. Please blog about this journey every now and then. I’ve been back on the journey to healthy living for a few weeks and it would be good to hear of someone else’s progress. Good luck!
Yes – blog about it! I started my new personal fitness journey about 2 months ago and haven’t looked back. It will be good to have this motivation when I need it. It has not taken me long to learn that better physical fitness really does equal better financial fitness *for me*.
I immediately saw a positive effect on my energy level and I have even noticed a difference in my asthma! That one surprised me because I wasn’t that overweight to where I thought any extra pounds were affecting my breathing. Some of the foods (sugar!) I was taking in on a daily basis really played a part. Knowledge really is power.
LOL @ I’m recruiting for new haters.
You need to be ashamed, girl. No hate here. I see the connection. I know that I am mentally and physically more on my game when I have a regular exercise routine and eat healthier foods. This can only help in all aspects of life, both personal and professional. I say, go get it!
I will play a hater if you want.
I hate you I hate you I hate you!!! Why do you have to be so successful and accomplished and have a body to die for?
And I am not hiding under some pretense and you would not hear “Oh, SM, you should do this and that, not that and this” to mask the reality of envy
Take that to the bank :-)
HA HA and I luv ya back! [-SM]
LOL @ I’m recruiting for new haters.
I love your blog, now only if you could be my personal money coach. I am so impressed with you.
Don’t knock the haters, thier job is very difficult!! LOL
I got a few at the job and man are they ever stressed.
Great work with the new physical fitness regimen. You just might motivate me to use that gym membership that is gathering dust.
Look out summer here comes Single Ma and her new bodayyyyy!!!!
good for you! i’ll be very excited to hear about your journey. i just started a new fitness regime and i’ve already got my gym bag packed for tomorrow, a yoga class and then zumba! are you taking any group classes? if so which have you tried and which do you like?
I’m working towards having a great body. Though that involves losing weight, it also involves lifting weights. Because, really, let’s be honest: I love me my sweets. And if I put on more muscle, I burn more calories, which means it’ll be easier to balance my love of sweets and my dislike of pants suddenly becoming too tight.
I think part of it is accepting that a) I have a problem with chronic fatigue so it’ll take me a long time to get to where I want to be and b) I will never be a waif (for which my husband is thankful… he threatens to sleep-feed me if I ever get too skinny). I have big hips, big bust and a real butt. (Three more things my husband is grateful for!)
So even though I’m sure you’ll make it to your goal much sooner than I’ll make it to mine, I say go you! (And sheesh, to be in your mid-30s and have a child going to college… You started young. I’m 30 and only married a year, let alone the whole kid thing!)
So lead the way, Single Ma! I’ll follow in your footsteps… only a few feet behind. And occasionally munching on some junk food!
I’m so motivated by this approach and will be following your journey.
Thank you for opening my eyes.
Awesome! I love your attitude! I would also love to hear about the fitness journey, and more of your ‘unconventional’ methods to getting fit and healthy. One can always use more knowledge.
As I was reading this, I was wondering if your methods would work in NZ? Kiwis don’t like people rising too quickly, so they bring them down–conversely, they never let anyone get too low. It’s a weird system to get used to as an American. My company director has this nonsensical ‘no-structure’ approach to work–we are all supposedly equal, there are no supervisors, he frowns on rules, and he slashed his own pay to make people more comfortable with all that equality. Imagine, me who is a part-time admin/part-time researcher, and him, the director of the entire company, making within $15K of each other! Unheard of!
I adore my work for the first time ever in my career, so I’m willing to put up with alot. We’ll see how long that lasts…I’m due for a raise!!
Muahahaha!! Haters need to get over themselves– I laughed so hard because just when I’ve been getting so sick of the haters, I read your line about recruiting them and it made my morning! It puts a positive spin on a crazy situation! I’m still laughing, love it… Bring ‘em on! :) (If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, hatin’ is the dumbest! If you admire what someone’s doing, follow their lead!!)
You know I’m smiling like my sis is working out ha!!!
now I can fall back down and die laughing.. *you said recruiting new haters* bwaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahaaaaaa
Supporting you all the way.. Happy that YOU’VE decided to make the change :)
Haha, you made my day! All things so true about career advancement as well. If you’re not visible there’s no one out there that will look out for number one, you.
The same goes for fitness, there’s no one there that’s looking out for number one but you.
Keep up the good work.
-E
Great post! I’m sure that one of the couterproductive moves regarding weightloss will be eating more often! That one through me for a loop when I started! Good Luck, although luck won’t have anything to do with it, you’ll do it because you’re determined and focused!
Great post! Can’t wait to hear more!
You go Mama!!
I started to kick box when I turned 35 — another single mom wouldn’t let up on me until I finally went to a trail class with her.
This mom and I joke around these days that aerobic exercise is our new therapy — and it’s much more affordable! We kick box two days a week, and spin one or two more days.
I sleep better, think more clearly…. and I actually believe that it makes me a calmer parent (although the kid might disagree?).
I’ll be cheering you on!
I think this is so true! You make some really great points. I know I spend a lot if time reading and studying about what is best to eat and the different modes of exercise. And I’ve done the exact same thing with finances. It’s learning, then applying what you’ve learned. Both also require that you’re consistent. It took me time to lose 70 pounds. It also took me time to pay off all my debts. But I kept at it, on both counts, and got what I wanted through hard work and effort.
LOL, ah-ha, so you’ve finally come around on that connection, hm? Too awesome, I knew it wouldn’t take long for your crazy SM focus to laser in on this new project (obsession?) of yours. ;)
Hope that those smoothies are finally tasting right!
hmmmm…..has finances and physical fitness ever seemed parallel to me? ha!!! You could say that ;)
Hilarious. Love your positive attitude!
Looks like we’re in the same boat, kinda. I am working on my consumer debt and personal fitness at the same time. The rest will be worked on and fall into place when need be. Baby steps.
Thanks for the motivation & tips! Keep on keepin’ on!
Hi Single Ma,
I am a budding triathlete, so I can certainly appreciate the desire for increased fitness. However while you’re thinking up new posts, could you please expand on “the old boys network”? Politics are a real challenge for some of us out here, and would I lovelovelove to hear about some of your sources for educating yourself on the matter.
Best
You go Girl! Shit, I’m not mad at you, I’m soooo happy for you:-)