Many of us are under the false impression that losing weight is an expensive endeavor. We get caught up paying for pricey gym memberships that do nothing but lighten our wallets. Or we hear about the latest “magical food” that can melt fat without requiring any effort on your part.
After wasting wads of hard-earned cash, we realize that the number on the scale hasn’t budged.
There’s a better way to lose weight than paying for the latest fad. Rather, you can use tools in your own home to propel you towards weight loss for free!
Free Exercise Plan
Working with a personal trainer can keep you motivated even when you can’t bear the thought of another rep of bicep curls! But personal trainers are expensive.
To get the benefits of a personal trainer without the price tag, consider websites like SparkPeople.com. There are also tons of apps for your phone that create workout plans for free or a minimal fee.
Pennies Pinched: $7,800 per year!
(3 sessions per week at $50 (minimum) per session)
Workout Equipment That Costs You Nothing
Paying for a gym membership is a rather expensive way to lose weight especially since most people do not even use their membership! Some gyms have started charging only if you don’t go to the gym in an effort to encourage people to work out.
If you don’t want to pay for a membership or drive to the gym, look around your house for common items that can be used to give you a good workout.
• Dumbbells: especially when you are first starting a workout routine you don’t need a full set of free weights. Try using canned food when you perform bicep curls or buckets full of rocks.
• Treadmill: rather than aimlessly running on a treadmill, consider taking your workout outdoors. You get fresh air and it doesn’t require special equipment!
• Body Weight: some of the best workouts require absolutely no equipment. Instead they use your body weight and gravity to create resistance. Some common exercises are pushups, squats, and lunges.
Pennies Pinched: $510 per year
(assuming $150 initial set-up fee and $30 monthly fee)
Leave Behind the Pricey Meal Plans
This one takes a bit more commitment on your part. Paying for a meal plan (like NutriSystem or Jenni Craig) is convenient but most of these pre-packaged meals are loaded with salt and don’t even taste that great!
Instead you can prepare simple, healthy meals that save you money and fill you up. Cooking a pot of rice on Sunday, for example, costs just pennies and can be used as the base for many inexpensive meals throughout the week like stir-frys or soups.
Nearly every dish you love can be prepared healthfully. Take advantage of the vast resources available on the internet for simple substitutions. We like to use greek yogurt instead of sour cream in dishes like beef stroganoff. You still get the rich, creamy flavor of sour cream but without all the extra calories!
Pennies Pinched: $3,600 per year
(assuming $200 per month grocery budget compared to $500 per month meal delivery plan)
No More Excuses!
Making simple swaps in your routine can save you significant amounts of money in the course of a year. Just giving up the personal trainer, gym membership, and meal plan can save you nearly $12,000 per year!
That’s more than enough for a new wardrobe and a beach vacation to show off your new body!
Losing weight does not have to cost a lot. So stop using that as an excuse to skip yet another workout! Instead, incorporate these tips in your lifestyle to lose weight effortlessly.
If you have tried any of these tips or have additional ideas for how to lose weight for free, we would love to hear from you!