Moderation and Self-monitoring

I've found budgeting to be similar to other self-improvement tasks such as eating healthy and working out. The key, I believe, is to set realistic goals and monitor your progress. Too often I have had an overly optimistic budget or have tried to loose weight too fast. In both cases, I inevitably have failed. I have found success with budgeting, by first monitoring what I'm actually spending. Once I have that information, I have been able to reduce my spending in certain areas in order to keep the money going out less than the money coming in.

As far as loosing weight, I've found some software that has worked: Dietpower. It keeps me eating the right amount of calories based on my weight and prior calorie consumption. The key, for me, has been to set a long time period to loose the weight. I'm currently trying to loose an additional 30 pounds through December. I've already lost 15.

I've developed a workout program using this website. They advocate a low volume progressive intensity program, which is a wordy way of saying "moderation." My problem in the past is I have over done it and then given up after a month or two. I've been going strong for three months now. We'll see how I do going forward.

So when it comes to budgeting, I've done the same thing. I'll budget 30 dollars a month on Starbucks-priced coffee, though I tend to get my coffee here at Milagro Coffee y Espresso. If I don't budget it, I'll either spend it anyway and blow my budget or I'll feel like I'm being deprived and give up on the budget idea all together. By being realistic and having moderation when it comes to depriving myself of wants, I give myself a better chance of success in the long run.