I Have Been Busy
Hello everyone! Sorry about the slow week, but I hope to make up for it this week. I have been busy with other projects and was even able to take a trip down south to visit my sister and her beautiful children. (I even had a little trampoline fun while I was there.)
I have some updates for you. Here’s what you can expect from Enemy Of Debt this week:
- Monday – I upgraded my car, and I am pretty excited to tell you about it. Yep, the blue rocket has been retired, but for good reason.
- Tuesday – When is the Enemy of Debt going to DEBT FREE? Find out on Tuesday!!
- Wednesday – With Students starting school this week, I will be talking about student loans and credit cards and how to avoid going into debt to get that piece of paper.
- Thursday – I will be taking you around the world to see how other countries have been affected by credit cards.
- Friday – Debt Free Friday! Post yet TBD! I’ll make it a good one!
Also, just to let you know I haven’t forgotten about the series titled, The Keys To Effective Money Management. So far I have published the Introduction, as well as part 1 that deals with Attitude.
Not Money Related But Worth Mentioning
Over the last 6 years I have struggled with the cycle of losing weight and gaining weight. I have tried lots of things to lose weight and keep it off and have struggled along the way. I guess the time has come (again!), where I have become sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have been stubborn in my willingness to allow some other program to help me out, with my “I can do it myself” approach. Sometimes we all need that initial boost to get us going.
I have realized that just as I needed something to get me going with managing my finances, I needed something to get me started in managing my health and fitness. The truth is my way just wasn’t working and as you have heard me quote many times, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.
I have decided to join Weight Watchers to gain control of my health, just as I started the Total Money Makeover to gain control of my finances. Just like with money, weight loss is about habits and I need to change my habits and Weight Watchers has a really good track record of helping people do just that.
My problem is that I am an all or nothing kind of guy. I either had to stop eating certain things all together or do nothing at all to address my problem. I have learned that by gaining control of my eating habits I can have anything in moderation. That is much more manageable than cutting foods out all together. I am going to feed off of my financial discipline to help me manage my health. Both are very important!
I had my first weigh in on Saturday and was very pleased to see I have lost almost 8 pounds!! Not only do I desire to be DEBT FREE but I am going to work really hard to become FAT FREE as well!
Are any of you going through the same things. Any Weight Watchers stories out there to help inspire me and keep me focused? Drop me a line in the comments section below or email me at freedom@enemyofdebt.com.
Carnival I Participated In This Week:
Best Of Money Carnival #12: Keeping It Random hosted by Weakonomics. I was very pleased to see my article in the #2 spot this week. Thank you Weakonomist!
Congratulations on 8 lbs gone forever! I’m a weight watchers veteran and recently rejoined (online) so I could get rid of some weight I’ve regained . If I don’t track, it’s like I never ate it:).
You can do it Brad I’m pulling for you. Once you get the momentum built up you’ll have no problem.
As far as weight watchers goes my mother does that and she loves it. The thing she realized about it is that you have to stay with it or you’ll run the risk of gaining all of that weight back.
Best of luck,
Chris
Thank you Chris and Bucksome for the encouragement!! It means a lot to me! I am very excited to announce to you my final payoff date for our very last debt on Tuesday. I will also be sure to keep you posted on my progress with weight watchers. I wish I would have started it a long time ago!
Hi Brad,
I’ve been following you on Twitter for quite a while and pop onto the website once-in-a-while. You and I seem to live somewhat similar lives: We’re both on Total Money Makeovers (BS4), do Financial Counseling, and now you are on Weight Watchers.
My wife and I decided to try Weight Watchers in 2007 after seeing the DRAMATIC effects it had on a friend of ours who lost 70 lbs in about 9 months. My wife and I set a goal for each of us to reach before May 2007 or we would not take the Family Vacation to Florida that year. We stuck to it, lost the weight, and reached the goal. It works.
I have also started a new goal to lose weight (see my post on my blog called “The Next Challange” at MoneyPlanSOS.Wordpress.com). Written goals are definately more powerful than just talking about your goals, but POSTING goals for all to see is REALLY powerful. I am confident I will reach my goal, and seeing the progress you have made already must have given you some real encouragement, and me as well!
Thanks for the great post. I’ll be watching for progress updates (and new baby announcements).
I can’t wait to read some of your posts this week! Especially the world credit card effect.
As for getting fit and healthy, I suggest picking up jogging (or if you are thoroughly determined, running). I know it may sound daunting. But set a goal of a 5k (3.1 miles). I am sure there will be a race in the next 2 months in whatever area you are in. Go to the running or athletic store and ask them or google 5k’s in your area. I promise after you accomplish one, you will want to do more. Plus 3.1 miles is walkable if you end up only jogging parts of it. Try it out and let me know how it goes.
Also, you should take ‘then’ and ‘now’ pictures so when you blog about your success about losing a ton of weight, we can see the dramatic change.
Dave
LifeExcursion
Hi Brad,
I had tremendous success with Weight Watchers over 20 years ago. Congratulations on your first weight loss and continued success to you! We are in the process of paying off our debt, too, and after reading your post today, I realized that many of the things I learned at Weight Watchers also apply to achieving our financial goals:
1. Don’t expect to reach your goal overnight. It takes commitment and focus to reach a goal, but the rewards will be worth it in the end.
2. If you stumble or experience setbacks on the way to your goal, don’t beat yourself up. This happens with lifetime eating plans as well as financial fitness plans. There may be weeks where you actually gain weight in spite of sticking to the plan. Don’t worry, just get back on the plan and keep going!
3. Small weight loss wins are like Dave Ramsey’s debt snowball – they may seem tiny compared to the total goal, but they keep you motivated and headed in the right direction. So, celebrate each success whether it is a few pounds or a couple of ounces.
4. Share your goals with those who will support you in your efforts. It makes the journey more bearable and sometimes even more fun.
5. What you learn will become a part of your life and if you follow the plan you will never go back to your old ways of eating (or spending)!
All the best to you and thanks for your posts.
Congrats on the final payoff! I wish I could only say the same. I just wanted to pop in mention that quick. I’m also going to grab a copy of The Total Money Makeover, in fact I’m ordering it as I speak. You have inspired me to take action in this area of my life and put an end to my debt issues.
Thanks,
Chris
Good luck with Weight Watchers!! In my experiences losing weight was all about creating regularity and convenience in eating a healthier diet. Throw in regular exercise and over time you’ve got a winner. Having your finances in order is great motivation to organize the other areas of your life as well.