“Weight Loss” Archive
Oct
3
I think just about any reader of this blog will agree that having access to a credit/debit card and the associated convenience makes it much easier to spend, spend, spend, sometimes very carelessly and impulsively. I’ve also made my opinion clear that debt and weight gain/being overweight are also related and this led me to establish my other blog.
Well, a study conducted by Visa, detailed over at Bankrate.com, seems to confirm my hypothesis regarding credit cards and weight gain. As more and more fast food outlets have started accepting credit/debit cards, it appears that the fast food business is booming. McDonalds posted some amazingly strong sales month over month and year over year as seen in this press release
The study done by Visa not only confirms that people are much more likely to head to their local fast food drive-thru as they no longer have to worry about carrying cash with them. Not only are people more likely to hit the fast food outlets, but people will spend 30% more when they use credit/debit cards as opposed to a cash transaction.
As you might imagine, spending 30% more at a fast food outlet will also translate into more calories and a larger waistline. I can attest to the fact that when I used to frequent fast food outlets, I always ordered what I ‘wanted’ because I had my debit/credit card with me. I would imagine if I had only cash with me, I wouldn’t even head for the drive-thru and would likely avoid fast food altogether.
There are probably two lessons to be learned here:
- If you think you might hit a fast food outlet, use CASH only so you can limit your choices a bit
- Alternatively, avoid the fast food altogether and cook at home, presumably something healthier
May
15
Given that the story that got my blog a great deal of attention was about hiding debts from your spouse or significant other, I figured this would be a great “Poll of the Week”. I encourage all my readers to participate as I think this problem is very pervasive in our society today. As I said in my CNN interview, the further you get into debt the stronger the denial becomes. The denial turns into more and more lies and eventually this will seriously damage your relationship.
On another note, I have been undergoing a transformation in another facet of my life. What you ask? Weight loss! I have been participating in a structured exercise and diet program paid for by my employer. Since starting the program 9 weeks ago, I have lost 31 pounds but I have about another 45 to go in order to get to my goal weight. Since I have been pretty successful at it, I have decided to share my chronicle of weight loss and healthy eating on another blog. I’ve registered the domain and look for content by the end of the week.
Why blog about the weight loss and the debt? Well, I HONESTLY think the two were interrelated. The debt and the hiding of the debt caused me a great deal of stress and oftentimes dealing with the stress meant “stress eating” or sometimes even “binge”eating. I look forward to sharing my experience with all my readers of this site as well as those looking for some support on their weight loss journey. One of my inspirations, Tricia at Blogging Away Debt, also has a weight loss blog, Blogging Away Fat. You should check it out if you enjoy her blogging.
