Losing weight is hard, but when finances are tight, not having enough money to join a gym or buy expensive fitness equipment can be very daunting. But with a little extra thought, you can come up with an exercise routine that will work on a small budget, or no budget at all!
First, try to fit into your exercise routine when and where you can. Walking and running is always free and can be done almost anywhere. During bad weather try walking in a mall or warehouse store, just be sure to snack ahead of time and avoid food courts or free samples! Walking up flights of stairs at the office is a great way to get some exercise during your lunch break.
Walking up and down the stairs in your house during TV commercials is another great way to burn a few calories. You can also do plenty of push-ups, sit-ups, dips, and other calisthenics in your own living room.
Do an internet search for weight exercises or find heavy objects around the house to lift instead of dumbbells. There are many exercises a mom can do that involve lifting her toddler in a fun and safe way, rather than using weights, making it easier for a stay-at-home mom to stay in shape.
Most libraries have lots of books and exercise videos you can borrow, and you can ask for anything that libraries across the country don’t have. They also have a wonderful variety of cookbooks. You can also find many free workout routines and fitness tips on YouTube.com.
Parks are a great place to exercise. Some parks have basic exercise equipment, such as pull-up bars and low balance beams. You can also spread out a towel and do some yoga, or borrow a book from the library on “core workout style” exercises, which you can easily do in the park.
If you’re a student, you may be able to get a very cheap gym or YMCA membership. Classes may cost extra, but use of basic equipment must be included in membership. Don’t forget that if you work or attend a university, there is usually a gym there that you can use for free. If you’re not a student or teacher, check with your employer to see if they have a gym at your workplace, or if the company has an agreement with a local gym to offer discounted memberships. Some employers do not advertise this.
Although there are many ways to get fit for free, sometimes you can lose motivation if you can’t exercise the way you’d like to. Try to find an exercise partner to keep you motivated. If you don’t have friends interested in joining you, try Craigslist.org in the personals section or join an online fitness forum. They often have challenges and competitions to help keep motivation high.
Don’t let a lack of financial resources keep you from achieving optimal health or your ideal weight. Do some research, get creative, and you’ll find a weight loss exercise routine that works for you AND your budget!
