As I was exercising this morning, I remembered how hard it was to remain motivated. It's so easy to just step off the treadmill and say, I've had enough for the day. Then I told myself, every step I take will get me closer to my goal of looking slim again. Ahhhhh........
Little did I realize (as I talk to myself, and dream a little, it helps to get my mind off the monotonous walk on the treadmill) trying to lose weight is very similar to save money for a home.
- Have a vision: My goal is to loose 28 lbs. I have lost 2 lbs in the first week. Saving for a downpayment must also begin with a vision and a focus. The vision must be quantitative. X amount of dollar. If you know that you are purchasing a $200,000 home, 20% would make it $40,000. Having a vision gives you a starting point.
- Have a plan of action: My plan of action during my weight-loss challenge is to exercise an hour a day, 5 days a week, to eat smaller portions of everything and to stay of sweets and carbs (only allow myself 1 carb meal per week). So, with the home savings program, have a plan of action: create a budget, live within the budget, eat at home instead of out, think twice before purchasing and never purchase on impulse. Do not deviate from the plan.
- Lifestyle change: Like loosing weight and resisting delicious food temptations, saving for a home also requires a lifestyle change. It requires a complete change of mindset in order to success. It takes long-term lifestyle change to get rewarding results.
- No quick-fix: There are no quick-fixes and easy solutions to anything worth achieving. Namely, weight-loss or savings for a home. Changing your mindset requires time, commitment and patience.
- Determination and will power: It's not easy getting up extra early just to get on the treadmill while I could definitely use an extra hour of sleep. However, with a vision, and knowing that I must have determination and will power, I need and must complete the task I lay out for myself. Savings is also a daunting task. Put it in bite sizes and see it mounting from a small hill to something pretty significant. It is a skill and discipline that will take you to your goal.
Thus, losing weight is just very much like saving for a home. It requires alot of sacrifices and saying No to many temptations. If you can loose weight (very challenging for me), you can save for a home.
