Lose for Less: How to Drop Weight and Get Fit Without Spending a Fortune
So you’ve decided that now is the perfect time to get fit, but you’re wondering how you will afford to join a gym, buy the most expensive running shoes in the shop, or fork out for a personal trainer? Worry no longer! You don’t have to do any of those things, because it is perfectly possible to get fit without spending a fortune. Save your money for the important stuff like paying off your student loans, travelling, and putting a down payment on that new house, and take a look at these low-cost fitness options:
Parkrun
Parkrun puts on free running events all over the country and all you need to take part is a comfy pair of trainers and some simple workout gear (both of which you can buy very cheaply at the store). The great thing about doing a Parkrun is that you get to spend time outdoors exercising with other people in your community.
If you’re new to running, there are a lot of apps, like Couch to 5k, that can help you improve your running one step at a time over the course of a couple of months. But there’s no need to worry about your running ability because Parkrun is very welcoming…you can even walk the course if you’re not up to running when you get started.
Keep it Simple
If you have access to the internet, you also have access to thousands of different workout programs, all offering you the path to fitness enlightenment and the body you’ve always wanted. When you’re just starting out, it is better to keep it simple because as the latest max workout review shows, many online programs are not as effective as they would like you to think, which means you could end up wasting your time. Besides, you can get lots of free apps and Youtube videos which are easier to follow and do not require a big expenditure.
Get on Your Bike
When it comes to increasing your fitness levels and saving money, investing in a bike may not seem like the most cost-effective solution. At least, until you consider the fact that you can use your bike to travel to and from work and anywhere else you might like to go in your local community. So, not only will you burn more calories and get more toned, but you will also be able to cut your travel costs significantly.
Visit an Outdoor Gym
More communities than ever have their own outdoor gyms, which are a much more pleasant and less costly alternative to your average gym. If you prefer spending time outdoors to being cooped up inside, these free-to-use exercise areas are ideal. The average outdoor gym has a wide enough variety of equipment to ensure you get a good full-body workout without any of the stress that traditional gyms bring.
Buy Whole Foods in Bulk
Instead of stocking up on your favourite chips, candy, and chocolate, save that money and invest in bulk buy whole foods. If you buy your food in bulk, not only will you save money and improve your environmental credentials, but you will also encourage weight loss by only having healthy foods available to you.
Make a Wager
There are a number of websites, like Diet Bet, which allow you to place a small wager on your weight loss. This is a great motivational tool! Not only will you have to post your weight for members to see, but you could also win a sum of money if your weight loss efforts are successful. Since you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it, it is a great way to boost your willpower without forking out for professional help.
Ditch the Slimming Clubs
The local slimming club is the first port of call for many women when they decide they would like to lose weight, but is it really necessary? Probably not. Slimming clubs are all well and good, but they come at a cost and they don’t actually tell you anything you could not find out with a quick Google search and a couple of hours of reading.
Most slimming clubs basically rely on calorie counting. This is something you can easily do yourself, thanks to apps like MyFitnessPal, which enable you to log everything you eat. Unless you really need the support of a group during your weight loss journey, give the slimming clubs a miss. You’ll save the fees and the cost of the products they push if you do.
Walk
If you want to lose weight, you don’t necessarily have to participate in lots of exercise classes or long running sessions to shift the weight. Just walking for an hour or two every day can make all the difference, and it’s completely free.
Walking, as well as being good for weight loss and vascular health, can also have great mental benefits. Just being outside in natural surroundings can make you feel more relaxed and care-free and can help stave off illnesses such as depression, so put on your boots and start walking.
Invest in a Fitbit
Okay, so you might not think buying a gadget is the best way to go about losing weight and getting healthy on a budget, but a device like the Fitbit can be bought for a fraction of the cost of a gym membership and it does a great job of encouraging many people to be more active in their daily lives, so if you can stretch to a fitness tracker, you probably won’t regret it.
As you can see, when it comes to losing weight and saving money the best thing you can do is avoid the fads, and try not to get sucked in by the advertising of expensive products and programs that promise the earth, but don’t really deliver anything you could not achieve through cheaper means and your own hard work. If you put the effort in, you will succeed.
