Frugal Fitness Part One: Exercise

The start of a new year is the perfect time to get healthier by changing diet and exercise habits. Unfortunately, many people assume the only way to lose weight effectively is to spend a fortune on gym memberships and special “diet” foods. That’s simply not the case. There are many, many ways to get fit while spending almost nothing!

In today’s Frugal Fitness post, I’ll write about changing your exercise habits without breaking the bank. Friday's post will suggest simple changes to your diet that can help you shed pounds without resorting to frozen dinners or highly processed snack foods. You can bet I’ll be trying to make these changes myself this new year. It’s time to get in shape!

• Sweat the small stuff. Find little ways to replace inactive behaviors with active ones. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus one stop early, or walk to a co-workers’ desk instead of sending an email. Little changes add up to big results!
  
  
• DIY. Now is the time to tackle those big home repair projects on your to-do-list. Work up a sweat by painting the living room, stripping your wood floors, rearranging your furniture, or even just steam-cleaning the carpet.
  
  
• Get walking. Start your day with a brisk walk (or jog) to set your heart pumping while you enjoy plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Begin slowly if you aren’t accustomed to physical activity. Even ten minutes a day will make a difference.
  
  
• Refuse to sit still. Pace the room, pump your calves, march in place, or do simple stretches as your read, sew, or engage in other sedentary activities. You can fidget your way to burning hundreds of calories a week!
  
  
• Check it out. Choose from a wide variety of exercise videos at your local library. Just don’t limit yourself to one type of workout! Try your hand at aerobics, Yoga, Pilates, dance, tai chi, strength training, and more. While you’re at the library, pick up a few books that show you how to develop a fitness plan that works for you.
  
  
• Play with your kids. There are literally hundreds of fun, physical games you and your children can enjoy together. Hop scotch, jump rope, Simon Says, tag, freeze dance, dodge ball, Red Rover, Ring-Around-the-Rosie and hula hoop are just the tip of the iceberg. For maximum family fitness and fun, try a new game or activity every day. You can even invent your own!

How do you stay fit without breaking the bank? Share your tips in the comments.