These days we’re finding ourselves spending significant amounts of time cooped up at home. All this extra time spent indoors can make it easy to slip into a sedentary lifestyle and snack a little more. Suddenly your clothes are a little too tight and you realize it’s probably time to put down the cookies and get back in shape, but where to begin?
It may seem in order to get fit you need the latest workout machines, brand-name athletic wear, and a pantry full of supplements and “superfoods”. The reality is you don’t – getting in shape is simple and the best part is, it doesn’t have to cost a lot.
To help you reach your health and fitness goals we have included four easy tips which won’t break the bank.
Be on the look-out for anything that seems too good to be true
Some products claim to be fat-burning or muscle-growing, but to get fit you need to exercise, eat healthy, and be sure not to overeat – which is easier said than done. Avoid buying products that offer short cuts to get fit, promise super-fast results or seem too good to be true.
Eat healthy, eat legumes
Diet plays an important role in getting into shape. The good news is eating a healthy diet doesn’t have to be expensive – in fact a healthy diet could cost you less than an unhealthy one.
The secret to eating healthy on a budget is to find inexpensive and versatile vegetables to use as the base for your meals, like legumes. Legumes include beans, peas, and lentils which are nutritious, inexpensive, and filling. Introducing legumes to your diet is easy and there are thousands of simple and delicious recipes to try. As an added bonus, many legumes are available in dried form which is economical, because they last for a long time. Buy in bulk and know you will always have good, healthy food available when you need it.
Go for a run or a walk
We are made to move, so naturally it’s a great way to get in shape and the cost is minimal. Whether you finish 100 meters or 10 kilometers, walking and running are great workouts you can do at your own pace. It’s also a great way to explore different parts of the city. Continue to challenge yourself and explore more over time, for countless hours of free and healthy entertainment.
If you are just starting out, don’t get discouraged if you aren’t able to go very far. Like anything, practice and repetition is the key to success.
Home workouts
With many traditional workout venues like gyms, studios, and sports fields having reduced capacity and operating hours, it’s now more challenging to break a sweat. For some people, the home gym has become an obvious replacement.
The good news is there are thousands of free workout videos on popular platforms like YouTube. These videos breakdown exercises to help you master the correct movements, as well as full circuit workouts you can follow in the comfort of your own home. Many of these workouts require no equipment, but you may want to consider getting a yoga mat to give yourself some additional comfort.
No matter what path you take to achieve your health and fitness goals, consistency is important. Try and get into a routine and stay with it to maximize results.
At Saven Financial, we’re passionate about helping people save. It’s why we’re committed to delivering a simple, and safe way to save money so our members can achieve their financial goals through smart saving.