Get Fit-- Forget the Combo Meal Mentality

This article explains how exercise, $2 lunches, and a list of fun activities can leave you and your finances in the best shape ever (even if you are a busy young professional like me trying to succeed in all of life's opportunities)...

The past month part of my continuous self-improvement regimen has included getting healthier. This has involved upping the amount of exercise I do, cutting down the quantity of food I eat, and curbing the amount of beer I drink! Of course, one of the many benefits of getting healthier like this is you also can spend less money. When you're busy biking, working-out, or swimming, you aren't buying as much junk and you aren't out spending money on other things. In this article, I detail the process of getting fit by exercising more, replacing combo meals with the $2 lunch, and how doing these and other fun things benefit you as a young professional physically, mentally, and in the wallet.

EXERCISE, YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
Since the time I was around 16 I have been going to the gym on and off. When I was 19 I got more serious about it and usually went 3 times a week. When I was 23 and getting to the end of my degree I started going to the gym less and less. I got a lot accomplished in those years, but my muscles also went to crap, my gut got a little bigger, and like any college student when I wasn't studying I was spending more time partying with friends. One day I decided it was time to turn it around and here are some of the things I did to get healthier:

1. Start going / go back to the gym
There's different philosophies of how many times a week to go. I would say a good rule of thumb is at least 3 times a week. Some people will go more and that's great if you can pull it off.

2. Find recreational activities that double as a workout
Try biking, rock climbing, spelunking, kite boarding, or just jogging. If you have other people to get together with then try putting together a simple game of Frisbee, or basketball, or even soccer (fútbol for the rest of you in the world). Try to do these activities on many of the days when you aren't at the gym. Or, perhaps, instead of driving to the gym, jog or bike up there instead, getting your cardio out of the way in the process.

3. Take adventure trips instead of fat and lazy trips
Like I've mentioned in some of my earlier posts, this year I tried some new adventure trips at the encouragement of a friend. It was a blast! Dog sledding, snowshoeing, cave exploring, cross country skiing, jet skiing, snowboarding, etc. Don't think you have to be great at any of these. You don't even have to be athletic to do many of them. Just get out there and try it!

EAT BETTER, BUT DEFINITELY EAT LESS
I realized while struggling to eat better in a world (country) that makes low quality, fast, and cheap food available, I wasn't always going to be able to eat something that wasn't fried or microwaved. However, these less healthy foods are alright if you at least keep portions to a smaller size. Realistically, if you're sitting at a desk, you don't need a combo meal for lunch consisting of 1000+ calories of meat, fries, and pop (soda, for those of you outside the Midwest). Better yet, forget the combo meal mentality. Do you really even want everything you get? Buy the smaller hamburger or chicken sandwich. Buy the small fries or onion rings. Get water to drink. Fast food may not be the most healthy thing you can eat, but there are options which are loaded with fewer calories and will save you money too. Here are a few ideas for eating and spending less if you can't avoid the fast food:

1. Wendy's
Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Small Chili, Water.
Price: $2.38 (vs. $5+ for small Spicy Chicken combo meal)

2. Burger King
Whopper Jr., Small Onion Rings, Water.
Price: $2.12 (vs. about $5+ for Whopper combo meal)

3. Subway
6" Sub of the day, Baked Potato Chips, Lemonade
Price: $4 (vs. $7 for 12" sub combo)

4. McDonald's
Hamburger, Small Fries, Water
Price: $2 (vs. $5+ for Big Mac combo meal)

THE SECRET WAY THAT WORKS FOR ME
So, I've been implementing some of these methods for the past couple months and am happy to say I've lost over 5 lb. while putting on some muscle, slimming down the tummy, and as a result I am feeling better both physically and mentally all day and night! My routine has consisted of the following:

1. Attempting to only eat $2 lunches
You'll see many of the food options I list above are a considerable savings when you eat less. Soda/pop is a huge markup for fast food restaurants and it'll help you save a lot of money when you don't buy it from them. I got the idea for the $2 lunch after watching a Donny Deutsch interview with John Paul Mitchell who literally went from living on $2 a day to becoming a multi-millionaire business owner in the haircare industry.

2. Working-out at the gym Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
I've been riding my bike a mile or two to the gym and then doing my usual routine of a 30 minute jog on the treadmill at a conservative pace and then free weights, machines, and sit ups/push ups for strength training. Note: I'm not trying to body build or put on huge muscles, I'm simply trying to build a moderate amount of muscle to help keep my bones strong and help encourage my metabolism to burn more calories and fat.

3. Doing something fun on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Sometimes this is still just hanging out with friends, going out to dinner, or going to a bar. Other times, though, perhaps it's a longer bike ride, swimming, jogging outside, or taking a walk in the evening. I find there were things I used to do as a kid that were known to be fun, that we as adults sometimes look at as a chore or exercise routine, e.g. riding the bike, swimming at the pool, or running around. Finding your inner-child and remembering what used to be fun before you drove, or drank, or partied can help you decide what to do on these days.

4. Traveling, small or large
While shopping at the mall can be dangerously tempting to spend money, if you have some self-control all that walking around and window shopping can add up to a good calorie burning exercise. And of course, flying down to the Caribbean and scuba diving, or heading out to Steamboat to go snowboarding, or walking around Manhattan for a day can be great adventures that really add to your fitness level.

HOW TO GET YOURSELF STARTED TODAY
I know it can be a little hard to get yourself motivated to try new things and let go of old habits. Here are some ideas you can try to help yourself build-up momentum and strength in the quest for a fitter, healthier life:

1. Instead of just giving it up, replace it with something less bad
While perhaps dropping an unhealthy habit cold turkey may lead you back to it a few days or weeks later, if you replace it with something that's at least better you may find it easier. For example, looking above, I have not yet been able to drop the fast food habit, but by changing the way I eat fast food it's helping me get closer to my fitness goals.

2. Buy a book
Go to the bookstore and find a book about exercise, fitness, or diet that looks right for you. Try to implement some of the advice within and see how it works.

3. Have more sex
Let's not overlook the obvious, right? It burns calories like anything else, and perhaps you'll end up with better looking abs than the person doing 20 sit ups every day. You may also end-up with something more like a child or an STD, though, if you aren't careful!

4. Stop drinking pop/soda
Replace this with water! Even if you switch to light beer or coffee, you'll lower the amount of unnecessary sugar in your diet, possibly avoiding diabetes. Of course, this is only a trade-off as these replacements can have their own drawbacks.

5. Take a walk at lunch
Eating at lunch and then just going right back to your desk can leave you feeling tired. Find a park close to where you work or go to school and take a 10 minute walk before going back. You'll probably feel more alert and ready to give the afternoon your best after enjoying a short mini-vacation at lunch time.

6. Read a book
Exploring your mind and imagination instead of hurting your body can save you money and make you feel good about yourself.

7. Do a mini-triathlon workout
Bike to the gym, run on the treadmill, do your workout, bike to a pool, swim, and then relax with a nice dinner.

8. Make a list before grocery shopping
Decide what you're going to buy before you go. This will help you from impulse buying unnecessary products that are just going to get in the way of your fitness success. It's alright to buy some cookies, but whatever you do make sure you don't go shopping on an empty stomach!

9. Play some music
If you know how to play an instrument, then do it. If you don't, perhaps try taking one up. The energy it takes to play some instruments can be very intense.

10. Do the things you used to do before you had any money and grew up
When we were all kids, most of us were fitter, had more fun playing outside, and hated the taste of things that were bad for us like coffee, cigarettes, wine, beer, and diet pop! It's alright and maybe good to leave some of these grown-up things in your life, but try to use your past experience to your advantage today.

I hope you'll find some of these suggestions help you in your quest for a long, successful life!