We’ve all heard the sayings: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and “Do it right the first time so you don’t have to repeat it later.”
These sayings are warning us—nudging us—to take proactive steps now to prevent negative outcomes later. And usually, they pop into our heads right when we’re about to do something we probably know isn’t in our best interest. Like eating a double bacon blue burger instead of the healthier meal, I’ve been craving all day. Or choosing binge-watching the last season of Cobra Kai before the new movie hits theaters instead of going to get in that walk.
Whatever the situation, these reminders push us toward the choice that’s better for us in the long run.
This week, while I haven’t completely neglected my fitness, I have slowed down a bit. I recently finished my second 10K of the year (my fourth race), and my mind started whispering, “Yeah, you deserve a break.”
Well, small breaks have a funny way of turning into weeks. And by the time I made it back to the gym, my body was loudly reminding me why that extended break wasn’t such a good idea.
We do the same thing with money. We reach a milestone, hit a goal, and then ease up because we feel we’ve earned the right to relax. And while rest is essential, so is momentum. Like my fitness break, financial breaks can quickly turn into hard stops—and those are much more difficult to recover from.
There’s still more work to do. There’s always more we can do to ensure the peak performance of both our bodies and our budgets.
Now, I’m not saying you have to be “on” 100% of the time. Breaks are a necessary part of growth and sustainability. But I am cautioning you against letting breaks turn into full-on stops.
When it comes to fitness, use low-impact exercises to keep the habit alive, even during rest phases. Things like stretching, walking, or yoga can keep your momentum going while still allowing for recovery.
And with your finances, make sure your “pause” doesn’t derail your plan. When my family was in the middle of our debt eradication journey, we created a “Debt-Free Dream Sheet”—a list of things we wanted to do once we reached our goal. Whenever we felt like we needed a break, we scheduled a reward from the list—but then we got right back on track. That plan kept us focused and fired up.
Here are a few tips to stay motivated on your financial and fitness journey:
Keep your goals visible. Use vision boards or financial dashboards.
Reward small wins. Celebrate progress without overspending.
Use your “why” as fuel. When things get tough, remember what you’re working toward.
The Bottom Line:
Your actions today shape your tomorrow. Whether you’re trying to build a healthier body or a stronger financial future, putting systems in place to prevent your “breaks” from becoming breakdowns will keep you on course.
Stay physically and financially fit.
—Corey
By the way! Stay tuned for next week’s release of my upcoming podcast, Catching up with Corey where I talk to everyday people about how they define and create success! If you’re not already following me be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the launch!
Corey Stokes 
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