It’s a no Brainer, a “Stay fit” Lifestyle equals to Saving More money:
You can’t believe how easily I freed up more scarce funds and useful resources by deciding to live healthy. It started with exercising and eating healthy food. I did all that and I’m the better for it…see how…
I started my fitness journey a couple of months ago; two months now to be precise.
The journey has been quite long, arduous, somewhat painful, mentally tasking and physically strenuous to say the least.
Notwithstanding, the transformation is albeit superb. I just noticed that some of my t-shirts that were hitherto not fitting suddenly took my new body shape.
My once Beer guts that used to stick out subtly, became strangely unnoticeable. I can now walk briskly without hurting my laps from friction as a result of fat deposits along my thighs, close to my loins: and a host of other things I did quite easily these days.
But that’s not the main issue here; rather the real deal is that I noticed some bulge to my bank account.
Instead of my monies depleting (which used to be the case back then), more valuable & scarce resources were saved up when I made the decision to quit forthwith the frivolous lifestyle of drinking, food bingeing, carousing all through the weekend; and since then things have been looking so good.
It began with Me — visualizing getting my dream body, then putting the necessary work (exercise & proper dieting); then the results started manifesting.
I now look good and still get to gain financially, especially when I removed some rather not so pocket friendly expenditures off my budget.
Best of both worlds I surmise!
Now I’m even considering buying a piggy bank to see how much pennies I can save up, thanks to my new lifestyle.
Now the Question is how?
Well like I opined in the beginning of this discourse, keeping fit can save you a ton more money than you’d envisage- then help you maintain focus, become more goal oriented and above everything — remain healthy, fit and overly strong.
Enough of the fitness rambling, tell us about it and what you did particularly?
The first thing I did was- I stopped Drinking:
One of my pastimes then was sitting over a bottle or two of my favorite beer brand — either solo, or in the company of friends who loved the white foamy sparkle that cascaded down the glass cup, each time we poured the contents into a Tumbler, ready to guzzle it happily down our thirsty esophagus.
Now apart from the unhealthy benefits of drinking too much beer, I spent close to $30 or more weekly, either buying drinks for myself or satisfying the beer longing of others.
It was not easy to accomplish this, but I stuck to my guns by doing the following:
1. I stopped hanging out with some of the dudes who made me drink. I even had this issue a couple of days ago when I was going home and somehow happened on them drinking in what used to be my favorite pub. They hollered at me to come join them; one even tried opening a bottle to see to it that I sit and drank. But I stylishly declined the offer, and instead opted for a can of the same beer that I’ll drink when I get home. But the real reason I took the Canned Beer was because I wanted to give it to this buddy of mine that helped me pick my garbage whenever I was out. He loved drinking beer and surprising, he’s as fit as a fiddle (genetics I believe). So I took the beer along, and lo! He was close and I merrily left the beer to his thirsty care.
2. I drank more water: Back then, drinking a beer or two can quench the thirst for liquid. However, this all changed when I made the commitment to stop drinking. Water has a sensual way of appeasing your senses, releasing the healthy dopamine required to keep your body in the state of equilibrium & contentment. Now with water fully reintegrated back to my diet, my longing for beer suddenly vanished.
The two steps above helped me keep my goal of quitting drinking intact.
Tell us more...
Before my resolve to lead a healthy lifestyle, I had this thing for fizzy drinks and beverages. Cola drinks were my forte and I constantly gulped down so many bottles, cans and whatever container they were stored in.
One misconception I had earlier on was that I needed so much sugar for more energy, surprisingly this not so accurate info was from a Pharmacist friend of mine who I was learning German Language with a couple of years back.
oops! Sugars are no bodybuilding blocks, but fat storage enhancers!
Though this buddy of mine might have a point, however he was referring to the wrong source of sugar: that is — processed sugar, to be exact.
And again I forgot a simple Biology lesson I was taught in Secondary School: Sugars are of three types- Monosaccharide (simple sugars obtained from drinks, beers etc.), Disaccharide and Polysaccharide (which can be gotten from starchy foods).
Not to get me wrong, Sugar is a requisite nutrient for building up essential energy reserves in the body, but the truth is that I eat a lot of carbs, and these foods are high in calories and complex Sugars which are broken down to glucose for the release of energy.
So I don’t really need to sweeten my tea with so much cubes of sugar because the Carbohydrates in some of the food I consumed When broken down further, will serve me up with the proportionate calorie servings required to carry on with my daily activities, undauntedly.
Therefore, drinking colas, processed fruit juices and other sweetened drinks was rather extraneous and encouraged redundancy, orchestrated from the extra storage of these sugars as fats; that later blossom to what we refer to as — Beer gut and in men could lead to a drastic reduction of Testosterone.
With colas, sweetened drinks and processed fruit juices off the table, I realized I was saving up so many coins from not patronizing these brands.
I must tell y’all this- I drink like 2 bottles or even three of sweetened drinks every day. Most of the time during the 3 meal courses (breakfast, lunch and supper).
The lifestyle was taking a financial toll on me and I had to nip it to the bud before it got out of hand, and invariably sinking me deep in some rather avoidable debt deficits.
I did, and the monies saved so far from not having soft drinks were quite staggering. I don’t have the full account, but I can tell you this- quitting this act of taking sweet drinks was by far one of the best financial and health decisions I’ve made thus far!
Another Lottery Wining Discovery I made, see;
The Most Intriguing part of my “keep fit” odyssey was that I freed up more pennies when I stayed away from Confectioneries.
Confectioneries?? Seriously? How so?
Yes baked foods can turn you into a spendthrift if you don’t cut down on your gluttony for snacks!
It was more of a cautionary tale for me. I binged on baked foods, and visiting confectioneries and fast-food stores was one helluva hobby I couldn't just stop at the time.
I loved cakes, meat pie, Burgers, Pizzas and any dough related food with the usual spiced up flavors and sweet smelling ingredients, finished superbly with a golden brown glow.
Some days I ordered Pizzas in the afternoon, cakes later on, and I finished the day with a jam-soaked doughnut over a hot cup of coco or coffee, heavily dulcified with either sugar or cream.
Irrespective of the harmful effects associated with eating too much of confectionery foods; every time- it cuts a very big hole in my pockets.
Imagine going out every day and spending so much to satisfy these unnecessary food cravings.
On some occasions, I recall taking some peeps on this binge. Truly speaking, I don’t need to be more explicit on the financial extravagance that accompanied this pointless spending spree. With this habit gone and now fully in check — getting more monies saved up was indeed a simple and doable task.
Now to the Most Challenging One:
Before I go on to the next point, let’s have a recap of how leading a “keep fit” lifestyle can help save you more money all from my personal experience:
1. I stopped Drinking alcohol
2. Taking fizzy drinks, processed fruit juices & sweetened drinks- were no longer a part off my diet.
3. Tackled my number one funds reaper- Confectioneries!
So what is it that you considered Challenging?
Simply put- Trekking, yes you heard me!
I discovered how easily I had more money stacked up from walking a few miles every day.
Commuting from one point to the other does not necessarily mean you’ve got to Drive, go by public Bus, Train or even order a Cab say — Uber.
You can keep fit, burn more calories and more importantly KEEP those monies that you’d be spending on transport fares by merely walking, jogging, sprinting or brisk walking for 20 minutes at most.
I did the above, and the results were amazing. I know most people might not have the time to indulge in this not forgetting that the distance might just too far to jog, walk or run it out.
Regardless, setting aside some days (maybe 2 or at best 3 days); undertaking this wonderful & sensual exercise, the gains would be mind boggling and physically fulfilling.
So How Much were you able to save from this little misadventure of yours?
Again a lot of peeps might think its just pennies, but imagine not buying Bus or train tickets for a month? I mean not for the long distant places though, but just places that you’ll manage on foot?
Well you do the math and go figure!
Yes, aside the fact that you save up more money that could have hitherto been spent on bus, train and cab fares. Trekking affords you the luxury of being strong and not visiting the hospital or clinics for minor ailments that could be as a result of poor and unhealthy living — like leading a sedentary life.
How descriptive enough can I be to let you on the benefits of trekking- I mean just trek today and save money from transport fares and hospital bills. That’s how simple it is. No more, no less!
Finally: Like I asserted from the point go of this article, you don’t need to over-think this. It is just a proven and very simple fact known not just to the fitness experts that abound the whole space, but as well as dummies like us.
The Summary again looks like this;
· Stop drinking alcohol (beers mostly, from time to time you could use a little sip of wine and brandy).
· Drinking colas, processed fruit juice and sweetened drinks is overrated and you don’t need these kind of sugars to build up energy reserves for your body.
· Confectioneries & Fast Food chains are notorious for not just boring big holes in your pockets, but making you unhealthy and prone to cardiac and heart related issues. I urge y’all to Stop patronizing them today and see how much money it could help you save & how healthy you’d become by making your own food!
· And… Trekking could be a lifesaver indeed. Trek more and get the vitality that comes with being so strong, fit, mentally capable and more financially driven.
I’ll conclude this piece once again by stressing this point- Make a strong resolve to being fit and financially responsible today by enrolling into a fitness program.
Then keep fit, be strong and above all things- get more money saved up for better things like vacationing with your loved ones, saving up for college expenses, settling down and building a home and so many other things that require some sort of financial stability.
This can only be possible if you commit to a “STAY FIT” Lifestyle, it’s indeed a no brainer!
