Show Me The Money

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I enjoyed reading all your entries for the One Small Healthy Effort Giveaway!  I was super inspired reading your suggestions – the comments gave me so many great ideas of healthy efforts to implement in my own life.  And there’s still time to enter the giveaway; I’ll pick a winner Thursday morning.

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My BIG healthy effort of the day (and by big, I mean expensive) was biting the bullet and purchasing a prenatal yoga class package.  Now, I’m committed to at least ten more classes – one a week up for ten more weeks.  I’d like to go more frequently but it’s just too pricey.  However, I’ve really enjoyed going for the last three weeks and want a reason to stay committed with my yoga practice. 

 

Nothing like a financial investment to keep you motivated, right?  That’s why I always signed up for races months in advance! 

 

Eats, Eats, Eats

 

Today was a snacky day, with the exception of lunch, which was actually a legit meal.

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Same as yesterday’s stir-fry (but with chickpeas instead of tempeh).  It was so good, I was dying for a repeat.  Yum.

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Afternoon and dinner snacks and mini-meals:

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An apple, as well as a bowl of popcorn, dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and several handfuls of pumpkin seeds.

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Pre-yoga grilled cheese and orange juice:

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And post-yoga fruit bowl.

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It might’ve all been sporadic but – man – it was all good.

 

Do financial commitments help motivate you?  I’m so much more likely to head to the gym when I remind myself of the money I’m spending on a membership!

{ 39 comments }

 

  • Army Amy* February 8, 2012, 9:21 pm

    My husband and I used to debate the whole “spending money = motivation” thing all the time. He said it would motivate him (like the time he bought a full set of free weights and all the P90X DVDS) but it didn’t. (In all fairness, P90X is effing hard.) On the flip side, I trained for and ran my first 5k without buying anything. I didn’t want to buy running shoes if I wasn’t going to use them. I’ve gotten over that; now I spend money on running left and right. Ha!*

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats February 8, 2012, 9:25 pm

    I think being accountable to myself motivates me! I know when I’m being lazy and I know I can do better. Haha and gym pact! I promised 6 days a week, and I’m not losing those $5!

    • Caitlin February 8, 2012, 9:28 pm

      GYMPACT is my ultimate motivator!!! I love it.

  • Lindsay @ Running the Windy City February 8, 2012, 9:26 pm

    Your lunch looks so good! I’m much more likely to do something if I hold myself financially responsible. Congrats on buying the yoga package!

  • Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) February 8, 2012, 9:41 pm

    Money is definitely a commitment for me too! That’s howni pushed myself to get my nutrition certification and now work on my personal training certification. I like snacky meals sometimes. It gives me a variety of flavors for the day!

  • Katie February 8, 2012, 9:45 pm

    That lunch looks freakin’ delicious!
    Money is definitely a commitment for me too! Last year I splurged on monthly yoga passes for a good chunk of the year and it kept me going regularly (at least until my health stopped me). Namaste! 🙂

  • Hillary February 8, 2012, 10:10 pm

    Both times I’ve trained for half marathons, I’ve had SERIOUS thoughts of backing out—until I remind myself of how much money I spent on registration! Whatever keeps me going on those bad days is ok with me!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing February 8, 2012, 10:25 pm

    Ohhh yes… anytime I don’t want to go to the gym, I remind myself of how much I’m paying for it. That gets me going!

  • mindy @ just a one girl revolution. February 8, 2012, 10:54 pm

    Money is a huge motivator for me! Thanks to student loan repayments, money is tight – so if I’m investing it in something like my gym membership, I’m GOING to get my booty down there! Same for races!

    • CaitlinHTP February 9, 2012, 11:04 am

      I hate student loans with a passion.

  • Vanessa February 8, 2012, 10:57 pm

    As I’ve gotten older, finances have played more of a role in EVERYTHING — especially motivation. =)

    Quick question: I noticed you eat (relatively) a lot of soy products. The little research that I’ve done led me to believe that soy isn’t the best option, especially in terms of increased estrogen production. Since your husband is in the Eastern Medicine field, I’m curious to know your thoughts on this. I tried finding a previous post, but couldn’t.

    • CaitlinHTP February 9, 2012, 11:07 am

      I only eat tofu or soy products 2 – 3 times a week, max. I’ve read that if you don’t have a history of breast cancer, eating it in moderation is fine and can prevent many cancers. I don’t think anyone should overload on it (i.e. eat it every day).

      • Vanessa February 10, 2012, 2:30 pm

        Good to know — thanks! =)

  • Christie February 8, 2012, 11:03 pm

    Cindi really nailed it with her list. Things to add onto that include taggie blankets (small handheld blankets with lots of tags- BABIES LOVE TAGS), an activity saucer/exersaucer (this was a life saver) and probably most important- a running stroller. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I don not have one (running time is my ME time), but it seems like all of my fellow Mommy runners have BOBs and swear by them (very light weight, easy to navigate).

    Hope that helps!

  • elz February 9, 2012, 6:07 am

    umm…YES. my friends make fun of me because i will always purchase the “best financial option”. Example: it makes perfect sense to purchase the “one year of unlimited bikram yoga” instead of the freakishly expensive pay-per-class/punch card options, right?? Alas, I usually {always?} unfortunately end up “spending more” when i don’t end up taking advantage of my membership for the whole commitment.

    oh well, better to be optimistic in the beginning than too hesitant to even take the plunge?? {my wallet doesn’t think so.}

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed February 9, 2012, 7:54 am

    I only spend $10 a month on my gym membership, so it’s not extremely motivating… well not as much as if I was shelling out 50 bucks every month. But I’m battling some pain in my hip so I think I’m planning a 2 week break from running 🙁 so to the gym I go for some cross training!

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION February 9, 2012, 8:07 am

    I used to have a gym membership but hated the drive over to the place. It’s out of the way and there aren’t many gyms around to make it super convenient.

    So finally I just gave it up and started working out in the great outdoors. It’s a little more challenging, especially during the winter months, but I have at least managed to stay motivated to work out so far! 😀

  • Greta @ Staying Lost February 9, 2012, 8:50 am

    Financial commitments definitely help motivate me! I also buy yoga classes in 10-packs, and then remind myself that I have to use them or they will expire. I would hate to waste that much money.

  • Sara February 9, 2012, 8:53 am

    Yes! I can see why people join gyms (and that’s why we joined one. We just made it fit into our budget and I am not going to NOT go because I don’t want to waste money.)

    • JennB@BeMe February 9, 2012, 9:21 am

      You can earn some of that money back by checking out HTP’s Gym Pact post. I joined for the same reasons as you and now even getting some $ back for showing up at the gym : )

      • CaitlinHTP February 9, 2012, 11:07 am

        ME TOO. I love it!!

  • Carolina John February 9, 2012, 9:16 am

    I’ve signed up for my next 5 races this week. it’s insane.

    • Carolina John February 9, 2012, 9:16 am

      … including doing Lake Logan again if you’re interested.

      • CaitlinHTP February 9, 2012, 11:08 am

        I would love to do Lake Logan again but I shall be 1.5 months post-baby. Maybe in 2013?!

  • JennB@BeMe February 9, 2012, 9:19 am

    Financial commitments definitely motivate me. I signed up for two races this year and know that training will be required for each. Luckily, there are a couple of months in between trainings to relax and be involved with other parts of life.

    The pics look so yummy. I also had a bowl of popcorn yesterday but with raisinets thrown in. Have a great Thursday!

  • Jennifer February 9, 2012, 9:28 am

    Sadly, no the financial commitment does not seem to be a motivator to me (not sure why though).

    Is the creamy balsamic dressing a homemade item or available in the store? Would love to try that meal you put together – it looks so good!

    • CaitlinHTP February 9, 2012, 11:08 am

      It’s from Trader Joe’s!

  • Stephanie February 9, 2012, 10:02 am

    Whatdo you think about shake ecology, it seems to be the new big thing everyone s talking about?

    • CaitlinHTP February 9, 2012, 11:09 am

      I don’t really know enough about it to comment on it. 🙁 I hate to give my opinion on things I haven’t researched!

    • Tori @ Get a Word in Veg Wise February 9, 2012, 7:38 pm

      What’s “shake ecology”? I’m intrigued…

    • sara February 10, 2012, 12:13 pm

      Are you talking about shakeology? I took it for a month and it didn’t do anything but make me fart.

  • Emily February 9, 2012, 10:11 am

    Moey motivates me for sure. Its like your gym pact thing, right?

  • Poptartyogini February 9, 2012, 10:14 am

    Money definitely motivates me to get to yoga. I pay a year up front because it is the best bang for the buck. But only if I go!!

  • Tammy Root February 9, 2012, 10:16 am

    I know what you mean about the cost of prenatal yoga — I just bought 6-classes and it cost $79. Ugh. 🙁 But, I do love the class and have become friends with other pregnant women, which itself, it totally worth the money.

  • Corrie Anne February 9, 2012, 10:20 am

    Yeah. Paying the money is definitely motivational. I have a hard time committing to races so I don’t like to pay too far in advance. Lol. Not because I won’t train, just because I like to feel “ready.” Haha.

  • Anna February 9, 2012, 10:36 am

    Definitely! For me its mostly race fees that keep me motivated to commit to training. Unfortunately they also deter me from signing up for more, but I guess that prevents me from overdoing it?!

  • Maren February 9, 2012, 12:50 pm

    My fiance pays for our gym membership because he is horrible about going and I am religious about going. So if I pay for it, I get frustrated because I pay for him not to go! I don’t care if he wastes his own money, though. I’m sure that will change when we get married. ha!

  • Amber K February 9, 2012, 2:27 pm

    When I went to a more expensive gym that definitely worked. My husband would actually do the math and figure out how much each gym trip cost based on how often he went. But now we go to a gym that’s only $10 a person, so even if we go once a month it feels like a deal 😉

    So I just motivate myself based on how I’ll feel whether I go or not.

  • Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie February 10, 2012, 11:11 pm

    I need to get my stir fry on this weekend…yours looks great!

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