Weightloss on a SERIOUS budget?

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  • kellyskitties
    kellyskitties Posts: 475 Member
    Some of my quick thoughts (sorry if any are repeats)
    Lift common heavy household items - I think somebody mentioned this.
    Cook your own food - as scratch as you can manage - you control the ingredients and calories this way
    Buy meat on sale (sometimes bulk packs) and repackage for meal portions and freeze
    Beans - cheap, high fiber high protein - use dried - easy to make - lentils have become my go to
    Yardsales and sale ads for home gym equipment - I got a bike this summer for $30 - needs minor work - ride-able. Also consignment stores, flea markets, junk shops - I'm currently hoping for dumb bells - and I'll probably find some if I tried much. I love that somebody paid full price so I can buy them later for cheap. Facebook has a yardsale page in many places - put up on "In search of" list and see if anyone offers you anything.
    cook extra and freeze leftovers for lunches later
    Use coupons if you can and match to sales to optimize - many people are accustomed to buying as they need and usually paying more that way - buy it when it's cheap and it's already there when you need it
    If you have an Aldi's in your town - it's the cheapest produce I can find - and it has great deals on most other items - including some lower calorie versions
    I too am reliant on cardio right now, but planning to start adding some strength in soon. I bought one of those ring sets to play with. Muscle burns calorie - therefore I want more muscle.
    Try walking where you need to go as much as you can - that's always free. Take the stairs.
  • nrvo
    nrvo Posts: 473 Member
    I read an article about a guy who lost a ton of weight buying his food at the 99cent store: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/yourbestfitness/99-cent-diet-could-it-work-you

    If you have a farmers market near you, check that out for good, inexpensive healthy foods. Lots of times if you go at the end of the day, vendors will discount their food further because they don't want to haul it all back.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    You don't need any special food. Just cut down on what you know is total junk food, and eat a bit less of whatever your regular food is, add seasonal or frozen veggies for good measure.

    I disagree with everyone saying you don't need a gym....My gym membership is the absolute last thing I would ever give up.

    but, OP you should really reconsider your stance on lifting weights!!
  • Sassyandsexymommy
    Sassyandsexymommy Posts: 6 Member
    Someone mentioned portion control. I totally agree. My food scale is the best investment I made for mt kitchen. Cost was about $25.
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    Tuna + ramen Noodles
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member

    Lifting weights improves body composition, cardio does not.

    Lifting weights gives you the thighs, glutes etc that I know you want.

    Lifting weights does not "bulk" you up, especially not women. If it did, everyone would be "bulked up"
  • brixtonbanner
    brixtonbanner Posts: 71 Member
    PF is 20 minutes away and only $20 a month, whereas Snap is 7 minutes away but it's $40 a month!
    You say you are wanting to do Cardio mostly
    Just a question
    How much could you buy a second hand bike for?
    I would humbly suggest that instead of driving 7-20 minutes, running on a treadmill (if it's free) for twenty minutes and then driving home
    you could spend that time and that money cycling for an hour.
  • EGSanz225
    EGSanz225 Posts: 32
    Hello!

    I understand your dilemma, I was also in the same predicament when I first started out, but I'm cheap. I don't go to the gym, instead I find whatever I can around my house. I've used a couple of goya bean bags and rice bags as makeshift weights (no joke!) and do my cardio/HIIT at home. So far I lost 4 lbs and gained a little muscle.

    As for food, cut down and use portion control. I wish I had a budget to buy more fruits and veggies but sometimes you have to just make due with what you have. Hope that helped

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