Trying to lose weight on a tight budget!
MissKim78
Posts: 426 Member
My whole life I have felt....and been called....overweight. Although now I look back at photos and realize I was quite slim! The only time I ever lost significant weight is when my now-ex husband ended our 18 year relationship in 2012 by telling me he was sneaking around with my now-ex best friend and was leaving me for her!
I went into a depression and didn't eat a stitch of food for over three weeks, until my Mother made me go to the doctor. I lost about 16lbs. I could notice it in my face, thighs and my belly.
I started to feel better in a few weeks after medication and a lot of friendship therapy. I actually started to enjoy my new found size! For the first time in many, many years, I fit into a size 30 jean!! I was always a 36 or more!
A few months later, I met an amazing man, we are still together and going strong. But....recently I noticed I have put on at least 20lbs since the spring of 2013. My fav Guess skinny jeans (size 30!) which he bought me now no longer fit
I can't even get them up past my knees. I cried for almost an hour. It's crazy how we never notice the weight piling up until it's too late but notice every little bit that leaves!
My finances also got seriously messed up and I am now living paycheck to paycheck. I can't afford most of the healthy stuff I want and should be eating, I can't afford a gym membership or any equipment. I DESPISE the cold so I don't get outside much in the winter. I sooooo want to fit back into those Guess skinny jeans....can anyone offer some pointers to someone on a serious budget?? Oh....and I have very little willpower or motivation. LOL I will be the first to admit, I am lazy...it's how I grew up. I didn't grow up in an active home, my mother is overweight.
Any advice will be appreciated....but please be gentle! LOL
I went into a depression and didn't eat a stitch of food for over three weeks, until my Mother made me go to the doctor. I lost about 16lbs. I could notice it in my face, thighs and my belly.
I started to feel better in a few weeks after medication and a lot of friendship therapy. I actually started to enjoy my new found size! For the first time in many, many years, I fit into a size 30 jean!! I was always a 36 or more!
A few months later, I met an amazing man, we are still together and going strong. But....recently I noticed I have put on at least 20lbs since the spring of 2013. My fav Guess skinny jeans (size 30!) which he bought me now no longer fit
I can't even get them up past my knees. I cried for almost an hour. It's crazy how we never notice the weight piling up until it's too late but notice every little bit that leaves!My finances also got seriously messed up and I am now living paycheck to paycheck. I can't afford most of the healthy stuff I want and should be eating, I can't afford a gym membership or any equipment. I DESPISE the cold so I don't get outside much in the winter. I sooooo want to fit back into those Guess skinny jeans....can anyone offer some pointers to someone on a serious budget?? Oh....and I have very little willpower or motivation. LOL I will be the first to admit, I am lazy...it's how I grew up. I didn't grow up in an active home, my mother is overweight.
Any advice will be appreciated....but please be gentle! LOL
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Replies
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hey I'm on a tight budget too. I do most of my exercise in the house. I use the Wii fit and a dance mat for ps2 i've had since I was ten. I also so look on youtube for some fitness video and because there are so many i dont get bored of seeing the same video.
I hope this gives you some ideas.0 -
Thanks! I've tried the Wii Fit before but never really stuck with it. I will give YouTube a shot though!0
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What is this "healthy" stuff that you think you should be eating that you can't afford? I ask because this is generally a matter of what one perceives as healthy vs what is actually nutritionally beneficial to you... as well as good food /bad food stigmas as well as thinking you need to be eating all organic, etc.0
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if you have a Wegman's near you they have $1 frozen packs of veggies. the broccoli is okay (has lot of the stems), but the green beans are great!
buy in bulk, freeze stuff, watch for sales.0 -
First, I just want to say SO SORRY that your ex-husband was such a grade A douche bag! Wow. You definetly handled it "better" than I would. I'd be writing this from the jail library if I found out my guy was cheating w/ my friend. So, kudos on being STRONG enough to not break down. Sure, you were depressed, but that's natural. You didn't let it GET you.
Now, I'm broke, and when I say broke, I mean... B-R-O-K-E! Lolz. You can do at home exercises, using youtube... check out Fitness Blender on YT... the videos are really good. And, I know you said you don't like the cold, but you are going to need to step outside your comfort zone. Run, go to the park, just get out there and be mobile!
For food, how much do you spend a week? $50? Try the farmer's market. I spend about $20 on weekly fruits/veggies from a farmer's market. If I were to buy them at Stop & Shop (grocery store), it would be about $40-50. Get coupons, sign up on vendor sites, and they'll send you coupons every once in a while.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck!0 -
Many video stores have free fitness dvd rentals, or maybe try your public library, ours rent for 75 cents for 5 days. Good luck.0
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If you are willing to cook cheap food should not be an issue....
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/cheap-healthy-15-nutritious-foods-about-2-dollars
Buy frozen veggies & fruit when you can. Buy fresh produce at Aldi ....if you can. Buy in bulk & freeze....lots of ways to save money.
Cheap (indoor) exercise......
Check Youtube or your local library for DVDs. I really like Walk At Home DVDs (Leslie Sansone)....some used ones are inexpensive on Amazon.
Jessica Smith TV (on YouTube) has some walking videos too......for any weighted workouts use cans or milk jugs as weights.
http://www.youtube.com/user/jessicasmithtv
Since you have a Wii ......try renting Just Dance from RedBox.....you might like it enough to buy a used copy (from Amazon).0 -
My husband and I are on a tight budget as well, so we stick to chicken and veggies. We get a whole chicken for about 8 bucks, and I roast it with lemon and herbs. A four-pound chicken lasts two people about three days if you are diligent about picking off ALL the meat. The cheapest veggie is usually broccoli, so I steam a bunch of it and eat lots, which helps me fill up without a bunch of calories.
If you get greens like lettuce whole instead of bagged, it'll cost you a lot less and there's often a lot more. You could eat salad with leftover chicken from the night before, with a little bit of dressing for lunch.
Eggs are not expensive (unless you get egg whites, those tend to be more pricey) and are a good protein choice for breakfast, or you could also get a big tub of genetic oatmeal. I mean the stuff in the cardboard tube, not the packets. Eat with skim milk for protein and some agave syrup or stevia. Very filling.
Once you get the hang of it and realize how much packaging costs (for instance: chicken breasts versus a whole chicken) it's not hard to eat healthy on a budget, you'll actually find yourself spending less money than if you buy all convenience food because with fresh food you feel full on less.
Hope this helps!0 -
Where do people find these farmer's markets where things are cheaper than the grocery store?! We went to one this weekend to compare, and everything we checked was more expensive yet than the organics at our local store.0
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1. Long walks are free and relaxing ( work your way up to 3-5 miles) that should give you about an hours walk.
2. Frozen Veggies, Celery and Peanut butter ( cheap, and good for you) Oh rice, chicken also very good fillers.
3. Your EX husband SUCKS.
4. Calculate your BMR and starting out eat only 200 calories over that, when your weight goes down, recalculate and continue down. Do not just do the 1200 calories, its not sustainable for most people.0 -
Where do people find these farmer's markets where things are cheaper than the grocery store?! We went to one this weekend to compare, and everything we checked was more expensive yet than the organics at our local store.
I agree, I have never found farmer's markets near me where the prices are cheaper than the grocery store!0 -
Man, really sorry for all you've been through.
You don't specifically say so, but are you talking about pre-packaged "healthy" foods? Like "Lean Cuisine" type deals? That's a lot more expensive than just making stuff yourself.
I whipped up a huge (!) batch of veggie soup with a little grilled chicken added for less than $20. It's enough for my wife and I to both have two cups for lunch every day for the whole week even after us both eating it for dinner the day we made it. Less than $2 a meal.0 -
Eating healthy is great, but I wouldn't worry too much about that in these circumstances. If you're looking to lose weight, it is a matter of calories in vs. calories out. Make sure the calories out are always greater than the calories in and you should lose weight. Don't cut yourself too short on calories, though. You'll still need a sufficient number of calories to get you through the day without crashing and to give you the energy you need. A 500 calorie deficit each day should result in a 1 lb per week weight loss.
As for exercise, the cheapest exercise in the world is walking, followed by bodyweight calisthenics in your home. Both are great ways to lose weight and gain strength/maintain or gain muscle on a tight budget. There are tons of bodyweight programs out there now that are available. Not too many years ago you couldn't find one on a library shelf anywhere; now they are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Check your local library for them and pick one you think you can do and stick with.
And, as has already been suggested here, youtube and other internet sources are a gold mine for exercise programs/videos. All you gotta do is search.0 -
Don't know where you live exactly, but I shop at Aldi Grocery Stores here in Texas. My lunch costs 0.99 cents and is under 300 calories. I weigh over 200 lbs and i'm satisfied with this food. I enjoy healthy but it has to be appetizing too. I'm changing from McD's everyday and its quite an adjustment. I get to choose from their Fit & Active brand of such selections as 5-Cheese Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, and Shrimp pasta. They have the big packs of string cheese from brand Happy Farms (70 calories per stick) for just $1.99. Their ground turkey, fresh veggies, and such are just priced so low. I love this place! Good luck!0
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I would love to say I live paycheck to paycheck - its more like paycheck to Tuesday :laugh:
I cannot afford a gym or fitbit now but I have lost 42lbs regardless. The last few have been thanks to MFP and the wonderful help on here. I make alot of my meals in advance. I went to MyFitFoods and discovered I can make something close to them and really save money. I do buy Smart Ones for lunch as well which are less than $2.
I am lazy as well. However, I do walk. Great stress reliever after a long effed up day at work.
For me, I made small goals. With everyone made, the motivations gets and stays stronger. 1200 is low. If you are doubting, use whatever MFP gives you. Set it to lose 1lb/week. (mine is set for .5lb as I only have 8 more lbs to go) Be realistic. You didn't gain it all in a week, so don't expect to lose it all in a week.
Good luck :flowerforyou:0 -
Eating healthy is great, but I wouldn't worry too much about that in these circumstances.
No reason you can't do both. You don't need "Farmer's Market" or "Organic" stuff to eat healthy. Frozen veggies are cheap. I prefer them to canned just because canned seems to always come with sodium.0 -
Dried beans are great if you are on a budget. Vegetarian chili with black beans, can of crushed tomatoes, can of diced, can of corn. Pasta with chickpeas, veggies, and parmesan cheese. Soups with carrots, potatoes, and lentils/beans.
Aldi has all the staples and plenty of healthy foods (if by healthy you mean produce - I know mine has locally grown food and some organic options). I wouldn't buy meat there, but I am not a meat consumer anyway.0 -
But....recently I noticed I have put on at least 20lbs since the spring of 2013. My fav Guess skinny jeans (size 30!) which he bought me now no longer fit I can't even get them up past my knees. I cried for almost an hour. It's crazy how we never notice the weight piling up until it's too late but notice every little bit that leaves!
My finances also got seriously messed up and I am now living paycheck to paycheck. I can't afford most of the healthy stuff I want and should be eating, I can't afford a gym membership or any equipment. I DESPISE the cold so I don't get outside much in the winter. I sooooo want to fit back into those Guess skinny jeans....can anyone offer some pointers to someone on a serious budget?? Oh....and I have very little willpower or motivation. LOL I will be the first to admit, I am lazy...it's how I grew up. I didn't grow up in an active home, my mother is overweight.
Any advice will be appreciated....but please be gentle! LOL
Whenever someone ends a post with "please be gentle", I think they must already know the answers to their own questions. With that said, I will try to oblige ...
Starting your quote with the key word ... "But ..." This is what I hear from your post:
I want, but...
I can't, but ...
I don't, but....
Weight gain and weigh loss are mathematical equations. Eat more calories than our body needs = weight gain. Eat less calories than our body needs = weight loss. No fancy foods, gym equipment, personal trainers, etc. needed - Just hard work and commitment. At this point in your life, your background story and your mother's status are not relevant. Your current mindset is.
We gain weight because we chose to eat more calories than we use. We fail to lose weight because we don't do what we need to do to create a calorie deficit. As I read the rest of your post, I think you have already identified your biggest road blocks and it is not your tight budget. There are many people here in this community (myself included), that would be happy to help you but you have to be ready to put in the hard work as there are no quick fixes or shortcuts. Being healthy is a lifestyle choice. Excuses undermine success. When you are done crying over your skinny jeans and ready to come back with a CAN DO attitude, you can start by making a list of what you DO have access to, including whole fresh foods/ingredients (time to get rid of the packaged stuff) and start researching things like "You are Your Own Gym" and fitness resources on You-Tube, inexpensive exercise DVD's, etc. Your best success will come from doing your own research and then asking people how to fill in the holes or how to make adjustments to what you are already putting together on your own.0 -
I started my fitness journey when I was a student and totally broke! I got DVDs out of library and started doing Leslie Sansone's walking videos. That eventually got me to the point where I was walking outside. Then that walking turned into running. And now I run marathons!
Foodwise, canned beans, tomatoes, and lentils are healthy, filling, and very cheap. I cook big batches of soups with lots of beans and freeze it in individual servings. And, as everyone else said, frozen veggies--lots of 'em!
Good luck!0 -
"Healthy" stuff like fruits & veggies, whole grain items etc. Packaged & canned foods are MUCH cheaper and also full of more sodium and calories. And even in packaged items, the lower fat & calorie options seem to be more expensive.0
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We're on a budget, and have found making out the menu on Sunday for the rest of the week really helps. We don't waste as much food as we used to when we'd wing it for every meal. We also eat out a LOT less. It not only keeps the costs down, but it helps me stay on track as far as eating healthier because I'm not desperate as to what we're going to do for dinner that night.0
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if you have a Wegman's near you they have $1 frozen packs of veggies. the broccoli is okay (has lot of the stems), but the green beans are great!
buy in bulk, freeze stuff, watch for sales.
No Wegmans, I am in NS, Canada.0 -
But....recently I noticed I have put on at least 20lbs since the spring of 2013. My fav Guess skinny jeans (size 30!) which he bought me now no longer fit I can't even get them up past my knees. I cried for almost an hour. It's crazy how we never notice the weight piling up until it's too late but notice every little bit that leaves!
My finances also got seriously messed up and I am now living paycheck to paycheck. I can't afford most of the healthy stuff I want and should be eating, I can't afford a gym membership or any equipment. I DESPISE the cold so I don't get outside much in the winter. I sooooo want to fit back into those Guess skinny jeans....can anyone offer some pointers to someone on a serious budget?? Oh....and I have very little willpower or motivation. LOL I will be the first to admit, I am lazy...it's how I grew up. I didn't grow up in an active home, my mother is overweight.
Any advice will be appreciated....but please be gentle! LOL
Whenever someone ends a post with "please be gentle", I think they must already know the answers to their own questions. With that said, I will try to oblige ...
Starting your quote with the key word ... "But ..." This is what I hear from your post:
I want, but...
I can't, but ...
I don't, but....
Weight gain and weigh loss are mathematical equations. Eat more calories than our body needs = weight gain. Eat less calories than our body needs = weight loss. No fancy foods, gym equipment, personal trainers, etc. needed - Just hard work and commitment. At this point in your life, your background story and your mother's status are not relevant. Your current mindset is.
We gain weight because we chose to eat more calories than we use. We fail to lose weight because we don't do what we need to do to create a calorie deficit. As I read the rest of your post, I think you have already identified your biggest road blocks and it is not your tight budget. There are many people here in this community (myself included), that would be happy to help you but you have to be ready to put in the hard work as there are no quick fixes or shortcuts. Being healthy is a lifestyle choice. Excuses undermine success. When you are done crying over your skinny jeans and ready to come back with a CAN DO attitude, you can start by making a list of what you DO have access to, including whole fresh foods/ingredients (time to get rid of the packaged stuff) and start researching things like "You are Your Own Gym" and fitness resources on You-Tube, inexpensive exercise DVD's, etc. Your best success will come from doing your own research and then asking people how to fill in the holes or how to make adjustments to what you are already putting together on your own.
Wow...Well first of all, I am just starting out on this journey and was trying to be honest by giving a little history of how I ended up on this site. Your comment "when you are done crying over your skinny jeans" is why I never wanted to do this before. That doesn't help me in any way. That "tough love" sort of thing doesn't work for everyone. I came here looking for ADVICE, not to be talked down to by anyone. Please realize that your techiques and opinions will not be valid for everyone.0 -
. ThisI started my fitness journey when I was a student and totally broke! I got DVDs out of library and started doing Leslie Sansone's walking videos. That eventually got me to the point where I was walking outside. Then that walking turned into running. And now I run marathons!
Foodwise, canned beans, tomatoes, and lentils are healthy, filling, and very cheap. I cook big batches of soups with lots of beans and freeze it in individual servings. And, as everyone else said, frozen veggies--lots of 'em!
Good luck!
I walk for exercise. And make soups and all sorts of dishes I invent out of things lurking in he cupboard ,write down how I made it and if its yummy I can make again and will have the calories and such all ready worked out :-)0 -
I hear you! I was on a $25/week food budget and I still managed to lose weight. I bought ONLY the fruit and veggies that were on sale. I have a YouTube channel and did a Big Girl on a Budget series where I show you what I bought for my $25. Feel free to add me. I'm in Canada too (Ontario though).0
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First, I just want to say SO SORRY that your ex-husband was such a grade A douche bag! Wow. You definetly handled it "better" than I would. I'd be writing this from the jail library if I found out my guy was cheating w/ my friend. So, kudos on being STRONG enough to not break down. Sure, you were depressed, but that's natural. You didn't let it GET you.
Now, I'm broke, and when I say broke, I mean... B-R-O-K-E! Lolz. You can do at home exercises, using youtube... check out Fitness Blender on YT... the videos are really good. And, I know you said you don't like the cold, but you are going to need to step outside your comfort zone. Run, go to the park, just get out there and be mobile!
For food, how much do you spend a week? $50? Try the farmer's market. I spend about $20 on weekly fruits/veggies from a farmer's market. If I were to buy them at Stop & Shop (grocery store), it would be about $40-50. Get coupons, sign up on vendor sites, and they'll send you coupons every once in a while.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck!
Thanks!! I will def check out a Farmer's market, I'm sure there is one near me! My bf and I usually have $130 every two weeks to spend....and that's for meals and lunch stuff for work. It's def tough! Thanks again for your tips!
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104 recipes for budget meals. Feed 4 people for $10
http://www.cookinglight.com/food/everyday-menus/healthy-budget-recipes-00400000056656/page106.html0 -
My whole life I have felt....and been called....overweight. Although now I look back at photos and realize I was quite slim! The only time I ever lost significant weight is when my now-ex husband ended our 18 year relationship in 2012 by telling me he was sneaking around with my now-ex best friend and was leaving me for her!
I went into a depression and didn't eat a stitch of food for over three weeks, until my Mother made me go to the doctor. I lost about 16lbs. I could notice it in my face, thighs and my belly.
I started to feel better in a few weeks after medication and a lot of friendship therapy. I actually started to enjoy my new found size! For the first time in many, many years, I fit into a size 30 jean!! I was always a 36 or more!
A few months later, I met an amazing man, we are still together and going strong. But....recently I noticed I have put on at least 20lbs since the spring of 2013. My fav Guess skinny jeans (size 30!) which he bought me now no longer fit I can't even get them up past my knees. I cried for almost an hour. It's crazy how we never notice the weight piling up until it's too late but notice every little bit that leaves!
My finances also got seriously messed up and I am now living paycheck to paycheck. I can't afford most of the healthy stuff I want and should be eating, I can't afford a gym membership or any equipment. I DESPISE the cold so I don't get outside much in the winter. I sooooo want to fit back into those Guess skinny jeans....can anyone offer some pointers to someone on a serious budget?? Oh....and I have very little willpower or motivation. LOL I will be the first to admit, I am lazy...it's how I grew up. I didn't grow up in an active home, my mother is overweight.
Any advice will be appreciated....but please be gentle! LOL
Also....I thought I would add that I am in Canada....and unfortunately our foods etc seem to be more expensive than in the US. There is a farmer's market near me but their prices can be high. I am also a picky eater, lol, I don't like a lot of veggies (peppers, onions, zuccinni, mushrooms, celery, cauliflower) so that makes cooking a little tricky and sometimes bland. LOL
Our (mine and my bf) budget is $65 a week right now. We always buy eggs and a few kinds of proteins (chicken, pork) for meals when it's on sale along with some frozen dinners for lunches. I could use some ideas for afternoon snacks and easy breakfasts though!
I do like to walk....mostly in the summer. When it is -18 degrees celcius out like today, I realllly would rather not go for a walk!
I never thought to check youtube for workout and meal ideas, thanks to all for that advice!0 -
Hello! First off, good job on making a decision to be a healthier you
Second, there are lots of online options for working out. My favorite options are the Neila Rey visual workouts. And they require zero equipment! (besides a good sports bra :P)
http://neilarey.com/100-no-equipment-workouts.html
About eating healthy, The best advice I can give as someone who is slowly crawling out of the cave that is living paycheck to paycheck is to look for sales. We buy all of our meat at Winn-Dixie because they have wonderful Buy one get one free sales on their meats and we stock up on whatever is on sale so that when it isn't on sale we can still have a rounded diet. Dairy is usually pretty expensive, but delicious things like pesto and homemade pizza dough are very cheap to make. My favorite trick ever is to make a bunch of things homemade that can be frozen, that way when you don't have a lot of time to cook it isn't so hard to eat healthy. Also, many fresh veggies can be frozen, corn defrosts really well.
Anyway, I hope this helps If you want to talk about anything or get some healthy, cheap recipes feel free to friend and message me! 0 -
I am also a picky eater, lol, I don't like a lot of veggies (peppers, onions, zuccinni, mushrooms, celery, cauliflower) so that makes cooking a little tricky and sometimes bland.
Simply put, this is going to have to change. Not saying that you need to run out and start scarfing zucchini to be healthy, but it's more to say that you are going to have to get out of your comfort zone. If trying to eat healthier results in you only eating a handful of things, it is going to get old before you even start. I started eating yogurt last week. It's gross. It took me a little bit to find a way to make it not just palatable but taste great. I had artichoke hearts. I have never even seen an artichoke nor do I know what it looks like, but I ate its heart over a bed of brown rice and loved it. My safety zone is to run to a bag of tuna or just eat spinach until I run out. Move past it. There is a a lot of food out there, and a million people who have come up with 10 million ways to cook it. It's fine if you take baby steps. I am trying to introduce one new food a week. So far so good; it doesn't always work. Brussel sprouts confuse me as I can't get them to taste good for me. I still have another bag to use so the fight isn't over yet. Keep at it.0
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