I recently received some questions about using the WLC System and the associated costs of a healthier lifestyle.
I can honestly say that cost is also an issue for me as I have a pretty good job, 2 kids, extra income, and I still have trouble making it in today's world. The cost of healthy food is absolutely ridiculous so I feel your pain.
But, we have to do the best we can do with what we have…
So, let's get to seeing your questions / comments and then I'll get to answering them in detail.
Questions I Received About Costs Associated With Using the WLC System
I've been interested in weight loss for a long time, and although I know that building muscle was important in aiding that, I never knew just how much work you really have to do to build sufficient amounts of muscle in order to get the best results. Just browsing the site and reading my copy of the WLC System for a couple of days has taught me a lot; I'm am eager to get started on my strength building, weight loss journey now, and determined to succeed. However, I'm a bit worried that the effectiveness of the system will be countered or cancelled completely due to me not being able to fully implement certain necessary steps due to significant financial strains…
For example, while I have managed to purchase a set of dumbbells and barbells on sale for a low price (less than £50) that should work well enough for me as a beginner and last for some time, and in a few months, I should be able to save up for a exercise bench for a similar price, it will take a much longer time for me to be able to afford even the cheapest, suitable power rack (at least £286…), and I don't know how much this might impact my ability to use the systems in the workout books (which I haven't bought yet, so don't know what they contain). The most I could manage right now is an adjustable squat rack (height up to 181cm), and I don't know if that would be sufficient… (though I do already have a bar I could use for pull ups and chin ups, and I read that your power rack should include those). That goes for the other, more expensive bits of equipment.
And, similarly, I was reading the Diet and Nutrition section of the WLC system and the sinking feeling was increasing as I saw the requirements including things like raw milk, and grass fed beef, for example, things that are rare and very expensive…According to a listing in a city over 100 miles from where I live, an amount of raw milk equal to the regular amount of semi-skimmed I'd get from the store is more than 6 times as expensive! With me not having a job and having a very limited amount of savings and income, that would quickly become an impossible thing to maintain, and although I know how important it is to only eat the healthiest options, to do so at this point will quickly force me onto the street…
So I'm stuck in a difficult position; I want to start working on improving myself and getting the body I really want, and I feel like I can certainly be committed to what I need to do physically and mentally, but financially I'm struggling. So I'm wondering if a person in my situation should even consider trying to use the system when they can't follow it 100% right from the outset? Will anything but 100% as described cause you to fail, or is it possible for a person to follow what they can in the beginning, and steadily make adjustments as as when possible? Will all my hard work be for naught if I continue to use pasteurized semi-skimmed milk instead of raw milk until I can afford it, etc? Should I hold off starting the system at all until I have a job and a steady income enough to allow my to make the necessary purchases, or should I not worry about that, do what I can and slowly build my way up to 100%?
I'm sorry for the long email, but I really want to make sure that if I do go ahead with this, I can get the most out of it and won't end up preventing myself from being successful in it.
Thank you
My Response To Costs Associated With Living a Healthy Lifestyle
When I first developed the WLC System, life was really good. The cost of living here in the United States was good. Healthy food was much less expensive 10 years ago.
I had no kids. My wife had a good job. I had a good job. We had extra money. So buying home gym equipment was a great option for us. It would save us a lot of money in the long run. And eating healthy was easy because we had the time and money to do so.
Now several years later…
I'm struggling just like you. I have a good job, my wife has a good job, we both have an extra business that helps with extra income… but we still have trouble paying for all the extra cost of everything. The cost of pretty much everything has doubled on us over the years. It's ridiculous. So we're also trying to adapt to our new life.
We now have 2 little girls that take priority over everything. The cost is amazing, but they are worth every cent. As an example, diapers are costing us $70 per month.
We have less time to prepare healthy meals, less money to spend on food, more money to save for education, and the list goes on and on.
So all we can do is work hard, put forth our best effort, and do the best we can do. In the end, everything will work out.
All you can do is take what you can afford, and make it happen.
A healthy lifestyle will pay you back in the future. You'll save money on doctor bills, medicine, and other very expensive issues that arise. A healthy lifestyle is worth the extra cost at this time.
Just do the best you can do…
For now, though, I am working on new material to help others like us make it with what we have. I'm trying to come up with a new system since things cost so much in today's world.
For example…
The cheapest protein you can find per gram is whey protein. Some people might think whey protein is expensive but try finding some other source that costs so little per gram.
And I definitely understand your point with grass fed milk and beef. Real milk is ridiculously priced. But in the United States, we deserve that as we have ran all of the small farms out of business with these huge farms that produce unhealthy foods for us. Our country opted for huge amounts of unhealthy food with huge farms instead of healthy food with smaller farms. So we get what we deserve… I guess.
I think small farms are trying to make a comeback. People are starting to realize how ridiculous things have become. We have been moving in the wrong direction in this country, and people are starting to notice and take action. I hope it happens sooner rather than later.
Again, I hope you try to do your best with what you have.
Any exercise and any improvements in the food choices you make will really help you. Please ask more questions if you have them. I will be here to answer them.