Unemployed. How will my health be effected? |
4 Comments |
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I announced earlier today that I was asked to resign from my day software. I immediately realized that instead of having excess money and no time, I went from excess time and little money. How will my health be effected by this change?
When I had spare money, it meant that I could buy healthier foods. I could buy the boneless, skinless chicken breast and salads at McDonalds. However, I had no time to exercise. I would work 9 hours a day, come home, do some chores, spend some time with my wife, do some blogging, and go to sleep. The next day, I’d get up and do it all again.
Now that I have spare time, I am able to get some quality gym time in. That’s a significant health benefit. In fact, there are plenty of cheap ways to exercise that don’t require a gym. On the other side of the coin, now that I’m unemployed a McDonalds’ salad is a luxury that I’m cutting out. I’m more likely to grab a double cheeseburger. Today, I even bought generic “Ramen” noodles from Wal-Mart. It’s some of the least healthy food you can imagine - no protein, all complex carbs, high sodium (though I don’t use the whole sodium flavor packet).
There are some healthy cheap foods as well. I bought some very low cost beans - a very healthy food. I’ve also switched to ice water instead of Diet Coke. In the end, I think I’m better off now with exercise than I was before.
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October 12th, 2007 at 6:40 am
I think that your first problem is that you are still considering McDonalds as a valid place to eat. Just make a sandwich at home instead of eating out; it will cost less, taste better, and be healthier for you.
I haven’t eaten at a McDonald’s since I was in college and it was the only option of where to eat on a long bus ride home with my team if I didn’t want to go hungry for another 4 hours.
I rarely eat any fast food these days when I do eat out; if I do, then I will visit a local deli and get a fresh sandwich made.
October 12th, 2007 at 7:15 am
I already noted it on your other blog, but when my husband was laid off he decided to work minimal part-time and consulting stuff only (he earned significantly less than me anyway), and I have never seen him fitter. Without the time and stress full time work was taking, he goes to the gym daily, and puts in quality time there. With him home during the day with time to cook really good food, there is no temptation to eat takeout or other junk. (He does love to cook though, maybe you don’t). He’s doing a lot of gardening and home maintenance stuff during the day which keeps him fit. And he has time to walk to the store, bike around the neighbourhood and so forth during his down time.
A knock on effect (affect?) of all this is that my health is improving too - there is generally good food waiting for me when I get home, and he takes care of much of the grunt housework/bills/etc which frees us up to walk, work out and relax in the evenings.
I predict that you’ll like this lifestyle shift!
October 13th, 2007 at 8:15 am
[...] Unemployed. How will my health be effected? @ Lazy Man and Health [...]
October 14th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
its not the end of the world. look at it positively. mickey d’s isnt the best place to be getting your food at either.