A lot of American consumers are always on the lookout for money mistakes they might be committing against their finances. This is because a lot of people already knows what debt can do to a person. Stories of how people have been held back because of debt problems or how some of them had to put off retirement for a few more years because they simply aren’t there yet with their savings.
It is not just debt that can hold you back from reaching your dreams – your health also comes into play when talking about future goals. A healthy lifestyle can be a great barometer for achieving your financial objectives in life. It can give you the energy to get your work done for the day and give you extra strength to put in some extra work.
This mindset would require your body to be in tip-top shape but this is far from reality for some of the American adults. As CDC.gov shares, obesity is a problem for over 70 million adults which is approximately about 35% of the population. This means that more than one-third of the people all around you are overweight which could lead to other health problems.
Although weight is not the primary cause of health issues and there are even a lot of people who seem to be comfortable with their size, it is still a good idea to go healthy. But along the way of wanting to be a better version of yourself, you might unconsciously make money mistakes and put your finances in jeopardy.
Money mistakes when going healthy
Here are a few things you might want to be on the lookout for when you are trying to go healthy and do not want to incur debt along the way. Some of these situations can happen without you even knowing that you are already making financial mistakes along the way.
Signing up for expensive gym memberships.
According to Statisticbrain.com, the average American who has taken up a gym membership will show up and actually make use of the facilities for only two times in a week. It is exciting to have a gym membership but it is of no use when you do not show up and take advantage of it. What is even worse is that you just wasted money on expensive membership without taking full advantage of the program.
Convincing yourself you need to shop for clothes.
When you started your first job, there was a big chance you had to buy new clothes to fit the job. This is already one of the money mistakes you can make. The same idea applies when you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle especially when it is your first time. Shopping for clothes might be a need but you must watch what you buy. You might even have some pieces of clothing you can use right in your closet and you just need a few things. It is acceptable to buy things you need but if you have rubber shoes you can use but you just make a healthy living as an excuse to buy new gear then you might have a problem when your credit card statements start to come in at the end of the month.
Buying expensive supplements.
Once you start to turn a new leaf and go healthy, there is a big chance you would be exposed to marketing and advertising efforts of companies selling supplements. They would show you how some of their top athlete endorsers are using their product to make you believe it is something you need on your journey as well. There is no question that supplements can help fitness personalities as they subject their bodies in rigorous training day and night. But if you are just starting out, you might not actually need to purchase expensive supplements to help you in your fitness journey.
Going all-in with expensive equipment.
There are a lot of exercise equipment that you can buy which promises you easy and quick results. It can be an expensive ab machine that promises you rock hard abs in the comfort of your own home without doing any exercise. Or a small contraption that promises you sweat all your fat away with just a few minutes of sitting on the sofa. You might be tempted to buy especially when you see the model’s shapely bodies after using the equipment. But what you need to remember is that nothing beats hard work. Rather than buying all those expensive gadgets, just be sure to show up to your workout and put in the effort.
Getting into expensive food plans.
There are a lot of fad diets and even expensive alternatives that promise to take that fat away. Though there could be a scientific basis for these claims, it might set you back financially. For one, you might be tempted to just sign up and buy the meal plan from professionals. Subscribing to crash diets can also do a number on your body. It can lead to serious health issues to your body that can land you in the hospital. This will not only prevent you from pursuing that healthy lifestyle but affects your finances as well. In the end, it is one of the money mistakes you make when trying to live a healthier lifestyle.
Mixing finances and a healthy living
Money mistakes can happen even when you have the best health intentions. Here are a few tips that can help you stay on track with your health plans and keep expenses at bay.
Watch what you eat.
Fitness.gov explains that most Americans tend to eat less than what the recommended amounts of vegetables and even fruits the body needs. When you are trying to go healthy, one of the first things you need is to watch what you eat. You do not need any crazy diet plans and supplements. You just have to make small modifications to watch your food intake. This will help you manage your food budget and be on track with your new healthy lifestyle.
Surround yourself with good company.
If you are trying to take on a healthy path but you surround yourself with people who still love fast food, junk food, and a sedentary lifestyle, it will be challenging for you. You could be paying for a gym membership and actually stay on the course but as you get home, you eat double the amount of calories that you lost in the gym. You are just wasting away money on your gym membership.
Be mentally prepared.
One of the most helpful tips in money management that you can use in your new lifestyle is preparing yourself mentally. You need to understand that you have to put in the effort and time to make things happen. You also have to make sure that you prepare your finances for any and all additional expenses that can come your way. It can be a gym or health club membership or replacing some of the food items at home with healthier alternatives.
Have a realistic goal.
If you are obese and set out to have a fit body in just a week, you might be setting yourself up for failure. Outside medical procedures, this is pretty challenging and could leave you devastated when you do not reach your goal. Plan for smart goals that you can achieve even on a weekly basis. You can start by promising yourself you will show up and do the exercises every single day. You can also put together a meal plan for the week that you can follow. Setting realistic goals and being able to achieve them helps boost your self-esteem and help you with your new health goals.
There are a lot of money mistakes people make and even when you are just trying to live a healthier lifestyle, you can fall trap into any of these financial holes. Be sure to be more mindful of the financial decisions you are making even if you have a noble goal in mind like a living a healthy lifestyle.