Fat Wallet, Slim Waist

Posted by ecreal on January 23rd, 2010

financial

Have you been looking for an affordable way to lose weight? It seems that most of the programs and store-bought options out there either cost a fortune to use, are hard to maintain, or both. The key to losing weight and keeping it off is to adapt lifestyle changes that are affordable and easy to uphold. If you want to lose weight and save money, use these tips to make some changes.

• Water Yourself!
It’s free from you faucet! Drinking more water will fill you up without the calories or the cost.

• Doggy Bags.
When you do eat out, make a point of saving half (or a third) of your meal for the doggy bag. This way you are doubling your value by making one meal into two.

• To The Market You Go!
When you buy food at the grocery store, you are also paying for the transportation and preservation of the food. At local farmers’ markets, the food is fresher, has less preservatives, and does not have as far to travel.

• Portion Un-Distortion.
Portions today are out of control, costing extra money and adding to waistlines. Compare your potions to everyday items, like a serving of meat to a deck of cards, a potato to a computer mouse, a serving of vegetables to a baseball, and a slice of bread to a cassette tape.

• Feel the Burn.
Adapt a regular workout plan that doesn’t involve an expensive gym membership, such as going for a walk on your lunch hour or doing yoga each morning in your living room.

• Feel the Burn.

• Calories Count!
You don’t have to keep track of every calorie that enters your mouth, but you should have an idea of what foods pack serious calories and what foods are lighter in order to gauge how much you are taking in.

• Know Before You Go.
Make a list before you go grocery shopping, pack your lunch, plan ahead what you’ll have for dinner. These things will all help you avoid impulse splurges that make you heavier and your wallet lighter.

• Seeds of Change.
Start growing your own seasonal fruits and vegetables. You’ll be surprised how much cheaper and more delicious it is to eat home grown food.

• Beans, Beans…
There are countless recipes you can find using beans for anything from burgers to salads. Beans are a cheap, healthy form of protein.

• Self-Transportation.
Opt for riding your bike or walking instead of driving when possible. This will save you money on gas and burn extra energy – plus it’s fun!

Losing weight will not only save you money on purchases, but also reduce your health costs in the long run. It feels good to be healthy!

For more tips on how to save money and lose weight, follow the PF Bloggers Weight Loss Challenge.