Getting into shape and staying in good health are processes that take hard work and dedication. Along with the discipline that fitness entails, many find themselves having to dish out sizable sums in order to keep up with the diet and exercise required to achieve and maintain ideal health. In some cases, this acts a barrier preventing people from truly being able to achieve a healthy lifestyle. What many fail to realize is that healthiness does not have to be as significant a financial undertaking as is believed. There are a number of strategies for minimizing the cost of different components, from nutrition to exercise. Below are just a few ways to reduce your expenses and either get started or continue in striving for a healthy lifestyle.
Stop Eating Out
Part of being better to your body relates to what you put into it. Naturally, when you are not the person preparing the food that you eat, there is a chance that it will not be able to match up precisely with your intended health goals. Eating out, both at fast food establishments and sit-down restaurants alike has this effect, as often menus are filled with high-calorie meals, deep fried and processed. For restaurants, the complimentary bread baskets are dangerous enough, but when combined with the portion sizes that can be double or even triple the recommended single serving amount, going to a restaurant could be the opposite of what you need. When it comes to fast food, it is commonly known that it is not great for you, but people far too frequently weight convenience over healthiness. Thinking about it financially, if you are spending anywhere from $20-$25 per week on eating out, you are costing yourself around $100 per month and more than $1000 per year. By reducing your meals out, you can save more and be healthier as well.
Buy In Bulk
Trips to the grocery store can be full of temptation and unnecessary spending. Not only are you forced to navigate aisles full of enticing yet unhealthy foods, often times you end up paying a premium for the things you do purchase. Cut out the unnecessary costs by buying your goods in bulk. Not only will this cut back on your need to go to the supermarket, it will also help you to get a greater amount of the things you need for a cheaper per unit cost. This is particularly helpful when it comes to purchasing meat, as the cost can be quite high. The great thing about meat is that it can be frozen, so you can store the portions you do not immediately require away for later. Those kinds of deals are sometimes offered in stores or wholesale clubs, but are also able to be found online. You can further reduce the cost of buying in bulk by splitting it with friends or family who may need the same kinds of foods. This is a great way to reduce the storage space required of your home as well.
Use Public Courts
When it comes to getting into sport specific exercise, it is commonly believed that the best way to manage practicing or playing is by paying for an expensive gym membership or for the use of various courts. This is not always the case, as there exist courts and arenas open to the public for recreational use. Though it is often required that individuals bring their own equipment, the ability to utilize these spaces is an easy way to save on exercise. Though poor weather or use by another group can sometimes make it difficult to use public courts, the good thing is that there may be several in a particular area. Schools also often have their own offerings of facilities, as tennis courts, basketball hoops, tracks and sometimes even outdoor volleyball courts are available to interested parties.
Swap Workout DVDs
One of the most cost-effective methods of exercise is workout DVDs. Even for those not trying to stay in shape, most people have one or two lurking around their home. As you are continuing in your fitness journey, you may find these exercise segments helpful in trying to achieve your goal. The constant movement they promote, combined with focus area videos that isolate what you work to tone up your stomach, arms, etc. are a great way to be healthy for less. One problem that people run into from time to time is eventual stagnation of the videos’ effect. After doing the same things for so long, our bodies are able to adapt, which unfortunately may diminish the intensity of the workouts. To help you keep up your work without having to spend to do so, consider swapping DVDs. You may find you have some friends or family who are trying to stay active as well and passing along workout videos to each other will help you both continue with your fitness goals without requiring spending. You can even check your local library, as some locations will offer fitness videos that can be rented for free.
Use Your Car Less
Constantly using your car as a means of transportation, even for the short trips, is one way you are preventing yourself from accessing an easy source of exercise. What may be a short five-minute ride could make for a nice walk, jog, or bike. And as you get into the habit of relying less on your vehicle and more on your own capability, the task gets easier as destinations that may have been far early on will suddenly become manageable. Not only is this a great way to make exercise a part of your daily life, it minimizes your need for your vehicle. The need to pay for gas alone each year is an incredible source of spending and coupling this with maintenance expenses that come about from extended mileage, like oil changes, quickly add up. If you are able to substitute exercise over car use as a means of transportation, you will be able to successfully reduce your spending while keeping in line with a healthy lifestyle. You’ll even be doing the planet a favor by reducing your carbon footprint.
Guest Blogger
Douglas Keller has been a financial expert for 20 years, helping people reach financial stability. He now provides personal finance tips on his blog Peak Personal Finance, where he helps people save money on their bills every month.
