Applying finance principles to health.

[Nika]

This month I am tracking both spending(to see a clearer picture) and exercise(because I got a heart rate monitor as a Christmas gift and am curious).

The results are surprising for both.
Finance: I would think it is a low spending month because I did not buy any clothing this month, but in reality there is a number of small things that do add up to far more than I would think. And spend more eating out than I thought.

Fitness: I worked off over 3,500 calories per 2 weeks. That pretty much means that if I was eating like I am eating, without exercising how I am exercising, I would be gaining over 2lb of fat each month. (Probably more, because regular hard exercise keeps metabolism higher). WOW! I would go from a perfectly healthy bmi to being obese in less than a year and a half. And I eat perfectly healthy at home (with maybe 2 massively bad meals out a week, a piece or two of very indulgent cake a week and some drinks with cheese.

Sometimes you just don't realize the reality until you track.

[disneysteve]

Sometimes you just don't realize the reality until you track.

So true. I started back on the treadmill at the end of 2012. Starting 1/1/13, I began using a running log app on my phone to record my progress. It was neat and motivating to see how my time on the treadmill added up. I could see how far I had gone each month and year to date. I could see my pace for each session. It helped me push myself to do it and to go farther and faster. I ended up logging 192 miles for 2013 and set a goal of at least 250 miles for 2014.

Good luck with both your finances and your fitness.