Let’s chat about how to exercise out on a budget! We are paying off our student loans and so we are always trying to cut costs that aren’t necessary. As a result, we have to be creative in finding ways to fulfill our needs and wants. Depending on who you are, you may place more focus on your physical exercise. Nonetheless, I think we can all agree that staying physically healthy is pretty important. Especially, when you have to work hard to achieve a major financial goal, like paying off debt. We gotta stay healthy to get all this hard work done!
Along this vein, I have found some great FREE exercise workouts that help me stay healthy even when I can’t afford a gym membership. I love working out in the morning but I also can sneak a workout in before bed if I didn’t fit it in in the morning. That is the beauty of doing workouts from home, you can really do them whenever you have time.
Popsugar Workouts
I have been using Popsugar workouts for years. Honestly, I’m not this amazingly buff person or not a “swoll” beast (pretty sure that’s the lingo the kids are using these days!). But I feel that these videos have helped keep me in decent shape when I have done them consistently. Another perk about pop sugar is that there are so many different workouts: I really don’t get bored. I can always scroll through YouTube and find something that sounds fun. Not to mention, they also have workouts that are short, lasting only 10 to 15 minutes but they also have workouts that are an hour long. This is not a sponsored post and so have no fear- I legit love their workouts! (Before you try any workouts please make sure you are cleared by a medical professional- don’t want any of you to get hurt!)
After 6 Kids I totally have Diastasis Recti: This workout rocks!
I have tried several workouts that have made the separation in my abdominal muscles worse. This workout is top notch! Also, when I’m doing other workouts I will substitute some of the more harmful crunch-like exercises with some of these moves. Enjoy!
Another Great Workout that is Easy but Effective!
Check out diary of a fit mommy! She has some great ideas for Diastasis Recti. I modified her workout to make it more difficult but I love it. I listen to a podcast while I do it and it really helps me feel good and my stomach definitely stays flatter when I do this consistently.
My Workout Modification
Repeat x 3:
- Wall sit for 1 minute
- Pelvic tilts with chest-flies (5 pound weights)
- Single Leg Deadlifts x 20 per leg
- Side Plank x 30 seconds per side
- Heel slides x 20 per side
- Heel Drops x 20 per side
- Body weight squats x 30 (sometimes I’ll add weights)
If you would like images of all these moves, check out diary of a fit. mommy!
Running is the Best
Fortunately, I live in beautiful Colorado and have access to nearby hiking and running trails. Running, jogging or walking is FREE for the most part. Maybe you need to get some decent shoes but depending on what level of running you do, those shoes can last you a while.
Tips to Staying in Shape on a Budget
- Drink Water instead of pop, juice or other drinks. Everybody knows we need to drink water! The health benefits are overwhelming and guess what, water is ultra budget friendly. I promise you’ll save money if you cut out all the other drinks and just drink water. My hubby and I did this when we were in undergrad because we were super poor and we just stuck with it. Guess what? If you live in Colorado you have the best tasting drinking water (according to a self-proclaimed expert who is the author of this blog!). Go Colorado water!
- Avoid buying lots of “grab and go” processed snacks. To be Frank, I still buy processed snacks for my kid’s school lunches but I try to avoid buying things that I will quickly grab and eat that are processed. Fruit, nuts, veggies, whole wheat bread can be pretty convenient to eat too.
- Friends and Family can act as accountability partners. It’s so hard to have motivation sometimes because cookies are delicious and eating cookies is a super fun activity. Going to a gym can really give you a sense of accountability but if you can’t afford that, here is another great option. My friend and her sisters set goals every week to help each other have a healthier lifestyle. They occasionally will send each other motivational gifts if they reach their goals. Not only, does this strengthen relationships but it helps give that extra push you need to be healthy.
- Sign up for a race.
- Don’t eat out! Restaurants are fun but eating out can really add up. Making food at home is healthier and so much cheaper than eating at a restaurant. Make eating out a special occasion. I started making my own pizza once we started paying off debt and now my kids prefer the homemade pizza, which is miraculous!
