Working out on a Budget

By Donna Stark

There aren’t a lot of people who actually like the word “budget.” It usually means cutting back, buying less of what you love, or taking the fun out of your life. But if I tell you that you could work out on a budget, that you could have more money at the end of the week simply by switching things up a bit, would you start liking that word a little more than you do now? If you think that you need to spend a lot of your hard-earned money to get fit and lose weight, you’re wrong. So put down that overpriced juice and protein bar and save your cash for what you really love.

Working out Should Not Be a Money Pit

You don’t need to remortgage your home so that you can afford a healthy lifestyle. Here are some general tips that will help you save your precious dollars.

• Eating right does not have to be expensive - Plan your meals, stick to a healthy shopping list, buy frozen produce, shop the bulk food section, take advantage of sales, use generic brands, and stop shopping for convenient grab-and-go items (for example a $2.50 protein bar can be replaced with an apple and peanut butter).
• Saving money when you sweat - Are those boutique gyms or high-intensity boot camps a little too pricey for you? Try some online workouts then or hit your local library! There are a ton of free videos, fitness plans, and advice that will keep you working out for days. You can also head outdoors for a jog, a hike, a bike ride … the options are limitless!
• Taking advantage of free classes - Many employers, schools, and local communities offer free wellness programs and fitness classes, so check around! You may be surprised at what you can find. At the very least, you may also be able to find clubs and support groups that are doing exactly what you are looking for. It’s a great way to meet people as well.
• Losing the desire for those $90 leggings - Sure, they look really nice and have some good qualities to them, but are they really necessary for your workouts to be complete? Skip those trendy shops and be a little more practical. Some of the best workout clothes I have ever purchased, that lasted just as long as the others, were from stores where I could also buy my outdoor furniture. You get the point.

As you can see, there are ways to slim down and maintain your fitness without spending your entire paycheck week to week. You may need to curb some behaviors and habits that have already been established, but the rewards and extra money in your pocket will be well worth it!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Littleton, Colo.