what do you think is more important?

[ChisJo]

What do you think should take top priority? Weight loss or debt reduction? Do you think its possible to do both?

Or should you work more than full time to diminish your debt, or work regular full time hours to have the time to dedicate to weight loss?

Thoughts?

 

[lil mermaid]

I didn't know that the two were mutually exclusive. Why not do both?

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I didn't know that the two were mutually exclusive. Why not do both?

This.

You can still work and change your eating habits.

 

[SandrA9810]

Depends on the status of your health. Have you been diagnosed with anything recently that is making you want this change?

Are you working and wondering if you should pick up some overtime to help with the bills?? Or finding a new job since you're not working now??

If it's a new job, look for a more physical job that's part time, that'll allow you to hit the gym in the afternoon for a few hours.

What other things are you looking to do to help with your health goals?

 

[luvmy3]

work more, eat less (or healthier)

 

[Angelhalo]

I see no reason why both can't be done at the same time. We're doing bith right now!

 

[ziggystardust]

i don't know your exact situation but i can understand your question.

Sometimes losing weight costs money (healthier food options, gym memberships etc). I get it b/c i've asked myself the same question before. I've found that you can do both, it might just take some work.

You don't need a gym membership. Most cable tv providers have a fitness channel now so you can exercise with their shows. Or rent from the library. Or get some routines online. Exercise mags always have "quick easy moves" to get thin fast or something like that.

They do have coupons for healthy food now, just a bit harder to find. You can also shop for fruits and veggies at farmer's markets and farm stand type stores. There's an asian market near me that has the freshest produce and its 1/2 the price of the supermarket.

anyway it can be done the only thing that you need is determination. good luck!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Weight loss, if I had to choose (and if it were needed), but I don't see why you can't do both.

 

[redlight]

Why not both?

 

[Hannathy]

I didn't know that the two were mutually exclusive. Why not do both?

Agree with this.

You don't need to spend any money to loose weight!

 

[mhsjax]

Good, healthy food is way more expensive than other food. Why do you think so many poor people are over weight. Sorry but it is true. Fresh fruit and veggies are way more expensive and lean meat, fish, chicken. Hotdogs, fatty hamburger, that type of thing is cheap.

 

[msjprincess]

As far as which is more important. it depends on how much weight you need to lose and how much debt you have. But like other posters have said, why not do both?

 

[DisneyScraps]

Weight loss will help your budget. No more eating out, no fast food, no Starbucks or anything like that. Think of how much you will save.

No more convenience foods, you cook fresh that costs a little more but not eating out should save an average person money.

I got ti the point with cooking that I would mostly rather stay home and cook and make something healthy rather than go out. It tastes a lot better at home.

For example when i would be out I would go to Panera Bread because I don't eat fast food. I thought that was healthy. They started to put their calories on their menu I found out that the half sandwich and bowl of soup I would get thinking I was being smart was over 700 calories! Never again! You don't really realize how many calories that stuff is.

Lisa

 

[katesorad]

Losing weight doesn't have to be expensive! I have a rather small food budget every month, and I am doing it! The thing is.. you can keep eating what you are now, just less! It's all calories in vs. calories out. You can add a few walks around the block every week, as well as renting exercise videos from the library. Instead of white pasta, get whole wheat pasta.. whole wheat rice, etc. Chicken is a lean meat and it's not that expensive. Tofu is only $1 a block! It can feed a family of four, along with a side of frozen steamed broccoli and brown rice!

You can do it.. don't choose one or the other.

 

[LuvOrlando]

There are less expensive ways to do it. You can count out calories with Weight Watchers Smart Ones frozen meals and do the same as Jenny Craig. You can also do stuff like shop the sales for chicken and lean pork chops eat a lot of Tuna in water, broiled tilapia home made french onion soup and fat free creamy tomato soup... I even have some nice recipes for low fat creamy pasta dishes that taste like Alfredo. Egg white quiche with fat free cheese and frozen squash works too,also sautéed fresh eggplant with a touch of breadcrumbs and turkey burgers on sandwich thins never mind yummy eggs. I never even use oil to sauté any more unless it's garlic and even then, it's a tiny amount.

Some of these costs are high when you first make the switch but overall it's cheaper than eating in restaurants, which we never do now.

 

[portocall]

I am going to tackle both myself in 2011. I am trying to remember that I didn't get in the situation overnight (both weight and debt) and I am not going to get out of it overnight either. I have a plan at least which is way more than I had a year ago.

Good luck OP.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think both could be done at the same time.

One way to reduce debt is to reduce your food costs....buy less expensive food that isn't crappy and eat less and it can tie into your debt reduction.

That is my game plan anyway.

 

[Magpie]

Is it possible to walk to work?

My husband lost weight the winter our bus drivers all went on strike. He was hiking to work every day. At first it took him over an hour to get there, but he soon started walking faster and now he can do the same distance in 40 minutes.

When his doctor said he needed to lose weight, we started walking together every night. Also, I began loading up our plates with mostly veggies (salad, steamed veggies, frozen veggies...) and less meat. I also cut out almost all our starches - bread, rice, noodles, potatoes.

So I think you can do both - lose weight and work to reduce your debt. Plus, if you cut back on fast food and eating out, you'll save a lot. I make my husband's lunches every morning, and it saves us money, as well as helping him keep his weight down.

Also, make sure you try to buy veggies in season. Some veggies are cheaper at certain times of the year than others.

 

[minkydog]

i don't know your exact situation but i can understand your question.

Sometimes losing weight costs money (healthier food options, gym memberships etc). I get it b/c i've asked myself the same question before. I've found that you can do both, it might just take some work.

You don't need a gym membership. Most cable tv providers have a fitness channel now so you can exercise with their shows. Or rent from the library. Or get some routines online. Exercise mags always have "quick easy moves" to get thin fast or something like that.

They do have coupons for healthy food now, just a bit harder to find. You can also shop for fruits and veggies at farmer's markets and farm stand type stores. There's an asian market near me that has the freshest produce and its 1/2 the price of the supermarket.

anyway it can be done the only thing that you need is determination. good luck!

I've been losing weight for about 20 months and I don't find that my grocery costs are any more then usual. considering that i no longer buy soda,prepared foods, fast food, or anything in a box or can, I use that money to buy fresh fruits, veggies, grains, and inexpensive cuts of meat and other proteins.

Gym membership is great if you can afford it and will use it for more than a month. But there are plenty of workout DVDs and cable exercise shows. Walking in your neighborhood, the mall, or at the local high school track is free.

I am puzzled by the connection between debt and weight loss, though.

 

[Buckalew11]

Both. Hand in hand. You can drop lbs. with no exercise even. No special diet--even bad food.