Don't know what to do

[neatdesign]

I'm sorry if I might be posting a lot of questions recently, it's just that I'm going over our finances with a fine-toothed comb and am trying to trudge forward the best way possible. Anyway...

I'm trying to come up with a budget, and I've taken care of the Step One -- determining what we're spending our money on. There might have been a few things that slipped through, but this step is more or less done. So I'm moving on to Step Two, finding ways to reduce our overall spending.

I am currently on Weight Watchers and have been for six months. I started off needing to lose 79lb and to date have lost 25lb; slowly but surely, I'm getting there. In those six months, I have only missed two meetings and have been pretty faithful to the program -- not perfect, but I've stuck to it, longer than I've ever stuck to any weight-loss plan, in fact. My WW membership costs $40/month.

TECHNICALLY I could do it on my own -- I have all the materials and know the program. So theoretically we could use that $40 each month to put towards savings or debt repayment or both. But if I'm being 100% honest with myself, I really believe that if I stop going to WW meetings I will fail in my weight-loss efforts like I have so many times before. I get a lot of motivation and inspiration from my fellow WW members, and my meetings help me stay on track. Since I'm only 5'0" tall, being 54lb overweight is extremely unhealthy, not to mention how it wrecks my self-esteem.

Still, $480/year is a lot of money. What should I do? Should I try to go it alone, save the money and hope for the best? Or should I say that $40/month is an investment of sorts and just keep it?

ps. I feel guilty because Mark has agreed to give up certain things that don't cost as much as my WW membership -- it doesn't quite seem fair that I get to keep something that costs more than what he had to give up.

~ Jenney

[zakity]

Could you find a group of friends that would give you the same support?

[Ima saver]

I would say keep going, it seems to be working for you.

[disneysteve]

I think something that is improving your health should be at the very bottom of the list of things to cut. Besides, you're probably spending less on food by eating better and avoiding the junk.

ETA: congrats on your progress. 25 lbs. in 6 months is awesome. That's about 1 lb per week which is exactly what we recommend.

[Aleta]

I agree. Right now that is your support and it's working for you. Maybe you can find ways during the month to save $40. to replace what you're spending there. It's difficult to have alot of things going on at the same time. It takes alot of energy from you. You're doing great. When you're ready, you'll know what to do. Taking care of your health is a money saver in many ways. Good luck!

[scfr]

Good for you for being so honest with yourself. I'd say stick with the WW. In the long run, you will save more by being healthier. Also, your mood will improve and that may boost your earnings, cause you to spend less, etc, etc. It sounds like it is part of a positive cycle, so stick with it until you reach your goal or you feel really confident that you can do it on your own.
Congrats!

[lgslgs]

Can you find a physically intensive part time job for 2 - 4 hours a week? You could more than cover the cost of your weight loss membership and even speed up you weight loss.


Lynda

[Hez]

I would definitely keep the WW if it's benefiting your health. It may seem costly but so are junk food and medical bills! I like the advice from the above poster, as well. If you have the time to take on another job, even doing something like dog-walking or cleaning an elderly person's apartment would earn you the money AND contribute to physical activity.

[ktmarvels]

I don't know very much about it...or if it even still exists, but at one time you could get a tax break if your doctor recommended it to you. This might help make it less costly.

But I agree, you should stick with it! The investment now will pay off in lower medical bills from being overweight later.

[FrugalFish]

Losing weight is hard work. If WW is working for you, I say stick with it. Suze Orman makes references from time to time about how people who carry excess debt tend to carry excess weight too- it makes sense if you think about it for a little while. She's even got a ratio that's not too inaccurate.

I lost 30 lbs a couple years ago and our finances changed for the better completely during that time. It was about me taking responsibility and control for EVERYTHING- weight, finances, any other excuses I'd been making. If WW is helping you in the weight department, maybe it is also helping you take charge of other areas of you life? Perhaps it's actually saving you money in other areas?

GL, you are doing great to have already shed 25lb!

Fishy

[PrincessPerky]

Congrats on the weight loss, I ditto if it works keep it...health is important, wait a bit longer (like 50-25 pounds longer) before you try to go it alone.

And I agree find other ways to reduce if they are there, or look for a way to bring in additional 40$, but don't drop it and try to go it alone right when you are also changing so many other things in your life to get rid of the debt.

[Coleroo]

I believe you should stick with it! The weight watchers program is the only diet one I believe in - I watched the year long transformation of my VERY overweight boss into this little skinny minny who goes tanning and is in perfect proportion. It was amazing to watch. Dieting needs help and encouragement - and weight watchers provides that. 480 a year is a small price to pay for improved health... just think of all the doctor bills overweight people encounter later in life.


EDIT: LoL in response to the below post... I mentioned the tanning to contrast the difference in lifestyle... from someone who was obese and pasty to someone who flitters around like a california barbie doll. I guess the tanning is a vanity & self confidence thing in a whacked up culture.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Coleroo

I watched the year long transformation of my VERY overweight boss into this little skinny minny who goes tanning

How unfortunate that she did all that work just to go from high risk of heart disease and diabetes to high risk of skin cancer. I'll never understand why people voluntarily go tanning.

[DebbieL]

Ditto on the tanning Steve. Very unhealthy. If I really want to look tanned (which I don't usually bother) I use the fake stuff. Won't age my skin or kill me!

[Aleta]

I've used the cream but have also wondered about its ingredients as to whether they could be harmful as well.

I agree with the tanning but the person who lost the weight probably has not wanted to even go to the beach because of the weight problem. It's much like some women who start weating more provocative clothes after losing alot of weight. Not saying it's a good thing, just saying that that's probably their psche.

[neatdesign]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I sat Mark down to talk about it, and when I asked him what he thought I should do (without telling him why I was asking), without hesitation he said I should stick with WW. Even when I told him why I was second-guessing myself about it (that it seemed unfair for him to give up things but not me), he said that didn't matter. He told me that he's happy that it's working for me, and that he's supportive and wants me to keep going.

Thanks also for congratulating me on my 25lb loss. Most people I know haven't noticed my weight loss yet and so they never say anything, so it's nice to get some kudos.

~ Jenney

[DebbieL]

Originally Posted by neatdesign

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I sat Mark down to talk about it, and when I asked him what he thought I should do (without telling him why I was asking), without hesitation he said I should stick with WW. Even when I told him why I was second-guessing myself about it (that it seemed unfair for him to give up things but not me), he said that didn't matter. He told me that he's happy that it's working for me, and that he's supportive and wants me to keep going.

Thanks also for congratulating me on my 25lb loss. Most people I know haven't noticed my weight loss yet and so they never say anything, so it's nice to get some kudos.

~ Jenney

Jenney,

I'd be willing to bet that people have noticed your weight loss. Sometimes people don't want to mention anything in case it offends the other person, kwim? I might not mention it specifically to someone. I might just say that they look nice, etc. Some people don't like to have their weight brought up in that way. I'm sure others are noticing that you are looking good girl!

[Aleta]

I have done the same. Some women feel offended when you mention them losing weight. I normally will compliment how great the clothing looks on them and that usually makes them feel better. I'm sure people are complimenting you more on your clothing.

[rob62521]

Congratulations on your weight loss. I would look at the WW membership this way -- is your health worth $480? I would say that's a bargain when it comes to health. That's why cheapo little me will splurge and buy fresh fruits and vegetables because it's far cheaper than going to the doctor for little stuff.

And, DisneySteve, I concur on the tanning issue!

[boefixepa]

Neat,

Way to go on the 25 lbs. I lot over 40 lbs once and no one said anything until I finally wne out and purchased some new clothes at my new size. I'd keep making the old clothes work until I'd lost some serious weight and just couldn't make them work any longer. It was then that everyone was amazed. To many people it looked like I'd lost the weight over night! Not the months and months it actaully took me. The change in your self-esteem and self-confidence is amazing. Keep up the good work!