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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Research shows that too much debt creates stress that impacts our health, just as obesity does. A recent poll found that people with debt stress report significantly higher levels of health problems, including migraines, ulcers and muscle pain.1
Just about any American who has read a magazine or flipped on a TV self-help program knows more than their fair share about how to lose weight. The basics of shaping up — whether physically or financially – may be simple, but take effort and dedication. Here are some ways to get both health and finances in shape.
Understand what you “spend.” The first step to a successful diet or budget is understanding what you consume. Many diet gurus recommend writing down everything you eat. Similarly, to get spending habits in control, use a small notebook or PDA to jot down every penny you spend, at least for a week or two.
Create a plan. We can’t change habits without goals and plans. Dieting means living within a healthy calorie budget. In terms of finances, draft a budget that includes all your income and expenses. First include mandatory bills such as mortgage, car payments and utilities, as well as required debt repayment. Any extra money can go toward additional debt payments — and if some is left over, it can be spent on “snacks” like hobbies and entertainment. While plenty of software exists to help with budgeting, pencil and paper work just fine, too. Check out a free, online budget guide such as the one at www.bills.com/guide for guidance.
Use discipline. Sticking to any program can be challenging, especially if you have to modify your former lifestyle. When it comes to debt and finances, that means learning to live within your means, as well as setting, maintaining and working toward goals. Enlisting help from family or friends can help, too. Remember that training yourself to stick to a “money diet” serves a greater purpose: freedom from the restraints and pressures of being over your head in debt.
Plan for the unexpected. Dieters face challenges such as eating while on vacation or looking at a luxurious dessert bar during an evening out. Those on a “debt diet” face similar hurdles — whether it is a great price on a cruise, your dream house going up for sale, or simply a night when you do not feel like cooking and would rather eat out. Before these occasions come up, plan how you might handle them. For instance, stock the freezer with some pre-cooked meals, save a few dollars every month to take a vacation, and wait to upgrade your TV until your debt is paid off. By budgeting ahead of time — whether calories or dollars — you will stay ahead of the game and have a reward to look forward to in the future.
Visualize. Take a few minutes every day to imagine the new you. Dream about how your discipline will pay off in the end. A dieter might post a picture of a swimsuit they hope to fit into on the refrigerator. Budgeters can focus on a time when no requests for late payment arrive in the mail, there are no mounds of loans to pay back, and they can look forward to the results of planned savings, such as a dream vacation, new furniture or retirement.
Plan a reward. Set goals and encourage yourself with a planned reward. To stay on track, be sure the reward does not reinforce the habit you’re trying to break. For example, a dieter might reward a weight-loss goal with a new workout accessory, not a bowl of ice cream. Similarly, a budgeter who achieves a financial milestone might plan a weekend picnic or other outing, not splurge on a new video game system.
Achieving physical or financial health goals requires dedication. In the end, both kinds will make you healthier, in body and in spirit.
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