Losing weight on a budget.

WTBSE

Hi all.
I have decided to join MFP after seeing some people talking about it on a well known UK money saving forum that i am a member of ;-).

I am a single mum with 2 kids and we are on a very tight budget, and i need to lose about 30lbs alltogether, but am planning on breaking that down into mini targets.

I have loads of exercise DVDs at home, but also want to make the time (and effort) to do 1 exercise class a week at the local gym. The classes are £5 each, so i cant afford to do more than 1.

I love healthy food like fruit, veg, fish, nuts, seeds, lean meats, thats the good part.
I also love chocolate and crisps- thats the bad part!

I gained 30lbs over the past 2 years because i quit smoking (2 years next month!!), and want to get back to my pre-quit weight

wyodawn

Making extra food at home so you have leftovers is a great way to save money and also control your portions. Look into free workout videos online and at your local library. I don't know how old your kids are, but get them in a stroller or on bikes and walk/jog/run with them.

I was a single mom for 17 years and fitness was also a little challenging for me, as I had no money and for awhile had no car. I also lived in an unsafe neighborhood, so I couldn't get out and walk. I jogged on a mini trampoline while watching movies after my daughter went to bed, did squats/crunches/etc. while she was occupied with toys, and did odd jobs at a dance studio in exchange for free classes.

Good luck!

WTBSE

Thanks Wyodawn,
my kids are 12 and 8, so not too young, but old enough to moan about being seen out exercising with their mum

angelraguel

go to your doctor and ask if you can be put onto a "healthy horizon" gym refferal. I got to use the gym at a discounted rate and swimming was only £2.50! healthy horizons scheme is for people who are overweight or recovering from injury, ive just graduated from mine and it is a good scheme =]

WTBSE

thanks angelraguel.
i highly doubt if the Gp will put me on that scheme, as i am not significantly overweight. Nice idea though, and i'd love to be able to!

angelraguel

well i think you should ask because i think they may well do it for people who are on low incomes as well on the healthy horizons. You have nothing to lose by asking the dr =]

ZoobityBop

I would recommend you do an exercise regimen that can be done at home, like the Diet Solution program. You can do it anywhere at anytime, and as a busy parent, this aspect of it made my life a lot easier and way less stressful. I recommend you read this review on it, since it's pretty accurate: http://fantasticfitnessreviews.com/the-diet-solution-program-review/

Good luck.

WTBSE

Thanks for the advice guys.
I will mention it when i am at the GP angelraguel, thanks for the encouragement!

Thanks for the link ZoobityBop- i will check it out.
I dont want to do any particular 'plan', just eat less rubbish and get more exercise.