Hello Dear Reader,
I’ve recently rediscovered exercise. In short, I feel better, happier, healthier and I love it. I weighed myself this morning and it had a 12 at the front……and not long ago I peaked at 14 stone and 4 lbs! I know I’m in a fortunate position that there is an affordable gym within walking distance of my job and I don’t have to rush home, giving I have to time to go. It has got me to thinking, can you stay fit on a budget? I thought I would throw my ten pence worth into the ring and start the debate that I believe you can.
You don’t need a massive budget to eat healthily. I fill myself up on vegetable soups, veggie stews and keep costs down by eating tinned fruit (in fruit juice) and frozen fruit in porridge. I eat meat but I eat a lot less than I used to. I eat bread but only a little bit occasionally. I think you can eat well with a reduced income or just with a lower cost because you choose to. The only expense I have occurred in trying to eat healthily is the purchase of digital scales as I now eat meat, porridge or bread in amounts as low as 30g. I would go so far as to say that eating healthily is cheaper as I just eat less.
My ambition is to join the ladies on Plymouth Hoe next year and run the race for life. I still feel heavy, lumpy and tire easily when I exercise and have built up to being able to physically exert myself for thirty minutes without stopping. It was only a few months ago when I was out of breath within five minutes of exertion. I always believed that I was healthy because I walked a lot. In fact, I was kidding myself. I went out for a walk occasionally. I now turn myself into Sweaty Betty for an hour a day, every day and keep my heart rate appropriately high for the duration. My next target is to run occasionally and work towards running frequently. I suppose that costs trainers and some comfy clothes but you can wear them at any time to get your money’s worth.
I’m also a great fan of swimming and in my case in Cornwall, that means sea swimming. It’s not as cold as you think. If you are lucky enough to have a public swimming pool in your area then can I encourage you to use it when you can. Public facilities don’t stay open when people don’t use them. Some public pools have off peak rates, or rates for retired people or children and some don’t have time restrictions. Some local pools have season tickets or memberships and you can then go as often as you please. They can be really good value for money if you make the most of what you’ve paid for.
So, for what it’s worth, here’s how I exercise and stay fit on a budget.
Exercise every day for an hour so I’m out of breath (I can talk but only just)
I go for a run walk, run walk when I get home in the evening (mainly running down hills………it’s a start!)
The bulk of my diet consists of non starchy vegetables (no spuds)
I’ve reduced the amount of meat I eat.
I’ve reduced my calorie in take.
I ‘ve increased the amount of water I drink.
I get eight hours sleep a night.
I only occasionally drink wine - a glass a month or even less recently.
I fit small bursts of exercise into my day (as well as they gym - squats, press ups, sit ups, lunges - a few minutes here and there)
I sit less and move more.
I use You Tube to find easy exercise I can do at home.
Enough of me. Over to you. Can you keep fit on a budget? Are there any runners, power walkers or run/walkers who can share their thoughts? Does anyone have a local swimming pool that they use? Does anyone not exercise at all but would like to start? Who has a dusty bike in their garage that they want to own up about? Who would like some motivation? Do you need money to keep fit or can it be done for next to nothing?
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxx
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I have cycled since when I moved to London because I simply couldn't afford the means of transport and the 6 miles a day round trip to and from uni have keep me healthy and fit for a few years. Now that I work and have a little more money/issue with bike storage I incorporate walking in my daily routine and try and go running a couple of times a week….I am aiming for a half marathon in autumn, maybe I am being overambitious though!
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Hi froogs,
I so enjoy reading your blog, and have benefitted from so much sensible advice. I too am trying to lose weight, and have started by looking at my diet. Slimming World suits me, and fits more easily into family life. But it is on the exercise front that I fail. Fifty (just) unfit and overweight - I know I need to something about exersice. I have started with an exercise ball - it won't give much of an aerobic workout, but will start to build up some core muscle strength (lost after 4 caesarian sections) which will help alleviate back pain . I am planning to use the Wii, but it is motivation that is lacking.so I shall continue to read you and gain inspiration. Thankyou
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Hi froogs,
I so enjoy reading your blog, and have benefitted from so much sensible advice. I too am trying to lose weight, and have started by looking at my diet. Slimming World suits me, and fits more easily into family life. But it is on the exercise front that I fail. Fifty (just) unfit and overweight - I know I need to something about exersice. I have started with an exercise ball - it won't give much of an aerobic workout, but will start to build up some core muscle strength (lost after 4 caesarian sections) which will help alleviate back pain . I am planning to use the Wii, but it is motivation that is lacking.so I shall continue to read you and gain inspiration. Thankyou
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This week I spent about £45 on food (Aldi and market), breakfast, lunch and dinner for the three of us(including a very hungry teenager). I actually believe that healthy food is cheaper if cooked from scratch. I think the secret is keeping sensible portion sizes,less meat and a lot of veg. I also do not believe that we need various fancy 'diet' foods such as exotic fruit , diet bars, yogurts and so on. Our traditional fruit and veg are perfectly sufficient. I pick and can my own fruits including wild blueberries.
I love walking and hiking outdoors and I hate gyms. The only ones I ever saw seem to be full of smelly man whose sweat drips all over the equipment! I walk fast every day for at least 45min and I have been doing 15min yoga every morning for years. the only thing I pay for is a once a week Pilates class which keeps my back healthy. All this amounts to a good deal of exercise.
So yes I think you can keep fit and healthy on a budget easily.
For me the most important thing about any exercise regime (same with diets) is its sustainability. If it fails the 'going on holiday, dark winter morning/nights, too hot, too cold, too busy, not me' test, then I do not bother starting.
Well done to your weight loss, Froogs, that is an amazing achievement!
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I have an adult tricycle and I ride it everywhere, usually with a small child in the seat on the back as I am a childminder. I don't have a car. It cost a few hundred pounds six years ago and I use it all the time. Great exercise, especially going up a hill.
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I walk the dog 5km a day.
Last December I walked and completed a half marathon. My bestie ran it and finished in half my time.
I won't run because my knees won't take it due to several injuries. My doctor has said walk, baby, walk. I do.
I buy strips of tickets for my community centre which gives me access to the gym and pool facilities. I tend to use them over the winter months because nobody tries to run/walk/jog in -40. Ok there is always one mad person but they give up fairly quickly.
I was surprized when you changed you attitude towards Weight Watchers and gym membership. But sometimes groups are needed to keep the momentum going.
My bestie started running at 50. She's upto 18 miles for her max distance. She has better knees than me.
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I adore the picture of the woman in pink stretching at the bus stop. I am not as fit as I once was. When I was in the military I was a regular runner running no less than 2 miles a day [when sick] and at least once a week 10, most days 5 miles. Those days are long gone and have been replaced with strenuous walks at least twice a day. Recently, we got a yellow lab puppy who is now 80 pounds at 10 months old. I live on a hill and every morning and at least once every evening we take a gradual walk down the hill, along the creek and a killer faster pace walk up the hill. I'm not sure how frugal having this pup is but he is a joy. During the summer months I swim several times a week in our pool. I will do 20 to 30 minutes of water aerobics then laps. I also do what I call counter pushups at home and doorway pushups at work. My shoulders tighten up working on the computer so to loosen up I started these now I do them more frequently to tone my arms and shoulders. I bore easily so I will mix it up with taking a zumba class a few months, bike riding on occasion, Wii fit games and walking on the treadmill. I attended a yoga class for a month and have gone back and forth with dance. Recently, I saw a video on dance walking I think this looks like tons of fun.
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Swimming is it for me — in a pool, then outdoors in a river or lake when it warms up. One thing I also do that is free, is I stop into the drugstore nearby and use the free blood pressure machine to check my pressure and pulse rate. If you're ending up with a low bp after exercise, you know you're doing something right!
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So, 3 1/2 weeks ago, I was cleaning out a drawer and came upon an inexpensive (okay cheap plastic) pedometer. I had been given this free at an insurance fair of my husband's employer. In fact we were all given one each (whole family). So, I put it on and began tracking my steps.
From what I understand 10,000 steps is the minimum to walk each day if you're trying to lose weight. So far, in 3 1/2 weeks time, I've lost 1 pound, with the only change being walking more so that I can get my 10,000 steps in each day. I try to eat healthy, so am doing okay there.
What I noticed most was my shape seems to be changing, with all this walking. My back side looked much better in the mirror the other day, than it has in years. And I am beginning to see a waist line again!
So, this is an inexpensive alternative for someone needing just an extra push to get active. It appears to be working not only for me, but one of my daughters has begun wearing her pedometer, too. And when the weather isn't cooperating, I walk indoors, a loop through the kitchen, family room, hall and office area.
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When I was in my early 30s I woke up one morning and realised I was just too big. At this time we lived in a rural area and it was nice and undulating. The only thing I did differently was move. Everyday I went for a walk. Days 1, 3 & 5 of the week, I power walked on my own. Seven kilometres up hill and down dale in an hour. on days 2 & 4, my husband and I would walk for an hour but at a much more relaxed pace. I lost two stone in around two months.
Fast forward to my early 50s, and although only about a stone over weight, it will not budge. Doing the same as I did back in my 30s has not worked. I lost 200 grams in about two months. Very disheartening.
I hate communal exercising, so I don't know what the best thing is for me to do.
However, well done to you and enjoy your journey.
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I have the answer to a prayer exercise that you get paid to do! I go beating and picking up with my dog in the winter months which is about as much exercise as my 65 year old body will stand. Trekking across ploughed fields in thick mud is a good work out for your legs. In the summer months I content myself with dog walking and training. I had a gym membership once but I resented paying someone to waste my time and energy. I did like the Jacuzzi until the day I saw them drain it and scoop out the grey sludge of other peoples skin. Yuck!!! I try to eat nothing processed and cook everything from scratch and I walk and walk which seems to do the trick and keep my weight under control.
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I think being able to exercise on a budget comes down to 2 things, affordability, as even cheap gyms can cause a strain on an already tight budget, and yes walking and running can be free. Also healthy foods are more expensive, even the tinned and frozen variety, as your body does not fill up as much on these as they would with startchy carbs. And i have had to be as healthy as I can, but cannot afford to eat as healthily as i woudl like, instead I make sure my children do. Secondly time, and time is my biggest enemy, with my Job and kids, I exercise but no where near enough I should, and i am very active in my job, lots of walking etc.
It may be doable for some, but still a real struggle for others
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There are some free exercise video sessions at http://www.rosemaryconley.com - I like them because I am housebound a lot of the time and these offer a mix and match approach so I don't get bored 🙂
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I need to exercise and lose weight but I can never seem to get the willpower to stick at it. What I can recommend though is the nhs couch-5k podcasts. They got me running and kept me running until I reached my goal of doing one of the local 5k parkruns. (the most I have stuck to for ages and I was so proud especially as it meant 6am starts to fit it in so my husband could look after the baby before work).Then the weather set in and a recent return to work following maternity leave means I haven't fitted it back in again yet. (to be honest no idea where to start now!)
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You may be interested in the parkruns that run throughout the UK every Saturday morning at 9am. they are free to attend - it is a 5k course and they time you every week so you can see if you are improving. There is a parkrun website so am sure if you google it am sure you will find it. You can find out if there is one near you.
Sarah
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You have done so well, keep up the good work.
Over the last 18 months I have lost 5 stone, it began with 12 weeks FREE Weight Watchers vouchers from my DR's and then I just kept on going. I was also doing 2 or 3 exercise classes a week and walking fast for an hour a day on Par beach with the dogs.
Unfortunately both my finances and a long term illness have taken a turn for the worse and I have had to give up on WW and all of the exercise classes I was doing. I can now just about manage a waddle up and back on the beach with lots of rests as I go ,luckily the dogs still charge around like mad things so they are getting the same amount of exercise.
I am seeing the consultant this morning and hope that the illness will be back under control VERY soon but I now realize that I just don't have the money for classes so I will just have to walk more.
Good luck and keep up the good work
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Hi Froogs, I won't profess to be slim, trim, fit and healthy but I do have a few freebies that can be used for exercise, more so now than ever, having given up the car. Living in the country makes it easy to step out the door and go walking, running or cycling plus there are several lochs and beaches should I fancy rowing, paddling or swimming. Scramblig over rocks and up hills in search of trig points can also be fun. I may be limited (movement wise) in what I can do but not limited in what I can achieve. Mind you, having never actually been inside a 'real gym', I don't know what, if anything, I am missing. A heated swimming pool would be nice. 🙂
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huge congratulations both on weight loss and exercise regime. Unless you are one of our 'club' you can have no understanding of how difficult it is to achieve this. Wish I could find an exercise regime that left walking/running out as I have an injured leg which neither the doctor or physio can diagnose. I try to walk 2miles a day on it albeit very slowly and this from somebody who found walking in her 50's and thought nothing of 5 to 10miles a day behind my daughters dog or mas wheelchair. I am frustrated - yell - scream - stamp feeties - big tantrum! Must admit after the 10 mile stint my feet were yelling 'one at a time please'. Lulu has a trike. I bought mine for £100 at least third hand when my younger daughter was 3, she is now in her 30's. Had two seats on the back and a huge basket on the front. My girls and I called her Mathilda and we had many happy adventures. Just wish I could find someone to repair her because I am sure there are still a lot of adventures out there still to be had for free.Anona
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Your blog is so inspiring , earlier this afternoon i sat and read the comments and after piggig out on two muffins i made yesterday, i was feeling sorry for myself almost giving up on my excercise and my diet for my daughters wedding in august , as soon as i read the post and comments i did my slim and salsa dvd again and burned of almost all of the muffins , i cannot afford the gym but do this dvd as often as i can , almost every day now.
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Its all about the willpower. Anyone can go for a run / walk / jog, do sit ups, squats etc at home but you have to force yourself to do it! I run, walk as much as possible, do workout DVDs and sit ups, press ups etc at home but it is hard, there's no one monitoring me, I'm not paying anything so don't feel I need to get my moneys worth. But I like to look good and stay fit and healthy so thats why I do what I do.
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I have the same problem and the only solution I can up with is that our particular bodies only get fooled into weight loss once. With me weight watchers worked once,hypnosis worked once, walking worked once, 1000 cals diet worked once, Bach Flower remedies worked once and so on. Perishing annoying and I am at a loss to think of another regime to fool this cranky body with.Forwhat it is worth it has taken me 62 years to work out that no amount of food will fill the emotional void in your hungry middle. How many times have I had tears streaming down my face pushing ever more food into my painfully distended belly. The diet gurus can tell us until the cows come home that foods likeporage are slow release energy and we will feel full for longer. Bunkum! When the problem is an emotional one nothing will fill the gap.Anona
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I have kept fit in the past for hardly anything, using a home built exercise studio in my house. Built over time, it didn't cost much, buying used equipment. I also did race walking at local parks and school tracks and that was free too. Now since I am older and have issues with my knees, I had gotten out of shape, but started using a couple of DVDS on my computer. Don't laugh! I use “Chair Dancing” exercise DVDS. They really work for someone who cannot stand for long periods or has other physical disabilities. I was at loss of what to do. They aren't free, no. But they were not a lot of money and you can find some used if you look.
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If you have a smart phone, there are lots of free apps to support you with exercise, learning to run,even reminders to drink water. Local libraries sometimes have fitness dvd's you can borrow and some Children's Centres offer buggy walking sessions for mum's wanting to lose post baby weight.
Hope that's useful for someone.
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