The financial ramifications of losing weight

There are certain things that elicit immediate respect from me. I think you are awesome if you have a neck tattoo (because I would never do that). I think you rock if you have chosen to follow a career path which indulges your life's biggest passion. But more than anything, you get HUGE props in my book if you take control of your life and lose a tremendous amount of weight. Why? Because I know how hard it is, and I know how much impact it can have on your life. (Above: On the left, 25 year old FAT PETE with Mrs Planner. No she wasn't 12. On the right, 30 year old SKINNY PETE with Mrs. Planner. Yes, she is definitely my better half. Holy crap, I can't believe I just posted this picture. How did I get so chunky at 25? The successful start to my financial career translated into expensive gluttonous eating. I got serious, got healthy, and my career took off.)

I believe that all aspects of our lives are interrelated. If you aren't physically healthy, then you aren't mentally healthy. If you are thirsting for spirituality, then you can find inspiration in some other aspect of your life to help give you the boost you need to seek that spirituality. In fact, when I want to kick my career into hyperdrive, I simply set incredibly hard fitness goals. When you can muster the focus to accomplish big things, then your focus becomes an inspiration to other aspects of your life. I'm happy to tell you that I'm enjoying hitting some major fitness goals these days, which now means that I will have some GIGANTIC Pete the Planner announcements coming for you in the coming weeks. One of these announcements is 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

But I digress.

Getting physically healthy is vitally important to getting the most out of your life. However, there are some real financial factors that you need to be aware of when you start this weight loss mission. Recently, my friend Melanie has been on such a mission. Her success in losing weight and gaining fitness has inspired me to get my shiz back together. Because of her (seriously), I have signed up/participated in 3 duathlons and 1 half marathon in the last couple months.

I asked Melanie to send me the financial factors that have come as a result of her remarkable weight loss. She obliged, so here they are:

Food

It's true: healthier food is often more expensive. In college, I lived off ramen noodles

because they were 10 cents a pack but failed to realize they're also super high in calories

and sodium. I've changed the way I shop now and budget for things like organic pastas,

non-processed cheeses and other healthy alternatives. On the flip side, because I'm

smarter about planning meals before grocery shopping, I'm less tempted to eat out and

can save money that way.

Exercise

If you're serious about getting healthy, you have to balance eating better with working

out. There are some workouts you can do for free (i.e. run/walk outside, crunches) but

to step it up, you'll have to invest in some exercise equipment. Some people buy DVDs

and free weights they can use at home; others purchase gym memberships. Either way,

it's going to cost you some money to get started. And don't forget to factor in workout

clothes and shoes. I recently bought a new pair of running shoes and was surprised how

much they cost. If you end up working out a lot, like I am now, it's worth spending a

little more on a quality pair of shoes that will last longer.

Clothing

Initially, I tracked my progress using the loops on my belt, rather than the number on thescale. As my clothes became too big for me, I had to buy a new wardrobe. I kept losingweight so fast however, I was swimming in the new pants I bought after only a monthor two. I've since had to invest in even more new clothes in smaller sizes. It's a greatfeeling, don't get me wrong, but it can get a little frustrating feeling like I'm wastingmoney on clothes that may or may not fit in a month.

These are just a few of the ways losing so much weight has impacted my wallet. As with

anything that involves money, it all comes down to budgeting. If something is importantto you, make room for it in your budget. Sacrifice in other areas if you have to. And whatbetter reason to sacrifice than knowing you are taking care of yourself?

I will tell you that every dollar spent on a serious commitment to fitness is well spent. Don't waste money on a half-ass commitment to your future. Get real, spend money, get healthy. If you want to follow Melanie's weight loss journey, then hit up her blog. I'm quite proud of her, and I know that her weight loss will propel her life just the way that my weight loss propelled mine.