Today is the day. No, really, it's the day. It is the day. It's the first day of the rest of my life. See, I am really disappointed in myself. I know almost everything that can be known about diet and exercise. I research this stuff. Nutrition and its effects on the body, that's like porn for me. I do it because I love it. Unfortunately, by looking at me, you wouldn't be able to tell. Actually, if you didn't know me, you might glance my way and then look at the ground, for fear of rude staring. Maybe you would point to me and then whisper to your boyfriend, "would you still love me if I was that fat?" ... But either way, you would not expect me to care about nutrition.
Also, you would not be able to take my exercise advice seriously. You would snicker when I walked away, saying, "what could she know?" But I am a pretty intelligent exerciser. I actually like the gym (when I can get myself to go). I enjoy a good high from the sweating and pushing and pulling. I have spent many, many hours learning about how your body likes to exercise. I know what to do when your weight loss "plateaus" and what to eat before and after a workout. Regardless, you would not expect me to care about exercise.
Anyways, I have been talking the talk for a long time. I have been so certain that all of this knowledge would some day equal weight loss. And I have worked out here, and refused something delicious there, but I haven't really done what I need to do to be successful.
But something has changed.
I am a college student with very little time for extra hours. My husband makes the money required to keep the house going. We have recently applied for and been approved for SNAP benefits (food stamps). Even though it is embarrassing, I see the opportunity in this.
Now I have the means to afford to eat healthier. I can purchase the fruits and vegetables and lean meats that I want without going broke. I can stay away from the expensive (financially and health wise) sodas and sugary sweets and really do right by my body. I don't care who you are, you can't eat really well while poor. I hate when people say that you can, because it's impossible. I will lay it out there for you:
We make $16,000 a year COMBINED INCOME.
We spent $620 a month for rent and utilities (which is very low). That equals $7200 a year.
Car and renter's insurance is $95 a month, or $570 every 6 months, or $1140 a year.
We have no car payments.
Internet, which I have to have for college, is $100 a month, or $1200 a year (because I have to have internet, I got a faster internet and added a very basic cable service for $20 more a month for our kids).
Child Support, $400 a month, $4800 a year
$7200 + $1140 + $1200 + $4800 = $14340 a year in fixed expenses. That doesn't leave a lot for food, gas, clothing, or anything else. Shoot, after we pay yearly property taxes on 2 cars and car inspections and registrations, our money is almost gone before we touch the other stuff. That's just how it is. So, as much as I hate it, this government help will really change our lives.
And no matter what politicians try to convince you, not everyone can afford high quality food.
But now I have a rare opportunity to do what's best for myself and my family. I will be the first to admit, I hate when I see people on food stamps buy name brand, expensive junk food with it. There are certainly no restrictions on what food can be purchased, and I see a lot of chips ahoy and ruffles fall through the cracks. This is the behavior that makes people fat.
So join me on my journey to better shopping, better eating, and better looking success!
