"I don't have the money to be healthy..."

Jemmuno

Love your post! Completely agree! Also, not to mention how much is it going to cost in doctor bills and medications once the unhelathy lifestyle catches up to you? Definitely more than $50 a month!

jazee11

Yes, it also goes the same with the "I don't have the time" to.... workout or cook healthy meals, or pack a healthy lunch, or eat a healthy breakfast. You are worth the investment of time as well as money when it comes your health as well.

chivalryder

I'm actually finding that eating healthy is actually possibly less expensive than eating non-healthy. I think this has more to do with the fact that I eat less in every meal/day than when I ate crap.

As for the gym: I don't get where people get the notion that they require a gym to workout. I haven't stepped in a gym in 6 years, yet I seem to be doing alright (aside from 3 of those years, after I injured myself).

lilmissymoo90

Or when they post that complaint to somplace like FB using their mobile device. So, you can't afford to eat healthy but you've got that data plan? WOOT!

I find that if something is that important you'll make the time/find the money to do it. There is almost always someplace that you can skim money from (lowering cable/internet/phone package, skip a few movies a month, etc).

not always .. i disagree with this ... i have a contract phone which i cant wait to get rid of at the time i got it my partner had a job which he doesnt atm. i cant afford a gym membership i dont have a tv package and dont eat out infact dont even have a fridge atm as it decided to pack in when we moved last week as all those extra pennys are being saved for a fridge. saying this i dont agree with the excuse as ive started walking working out at home and im intending to go swimming even if its only once a week.

tvanhooser

I used to make those "I can't afford to...." excuses and it's true. I literally do not have any discretionary funds for gym or swim center memberships, exercise classes and diet "programs." I do not have Starbucks everyday --or really at all. We VERY rarely go out to eat. Every bit that comes in goes to pay rent & utilities, put gas in the car and keep us all fed and clothed. There is no extra...I am SO NOT kidding. BUT, that being said....when I realized that the only way I was ever going to be out of pain, I stopped with the excuses and realized....hey, sure I can't pay someone to do this for me or with me, but HELLO SELF -- do you still have two feet that work? Ummm, yeah, of course. Then you CAN do something. Stop telling yourself you can't do anything just because you can't do what you want. You can walk --if nothing else, you can walk and you don't need any fancy clothes or equipment or memberships to do it. Here's your shoes, there's a sidewalk...now just get out there and do it and I don't want to hear your excuses! Since then I have gotten my bike repaired which is another no cost exercise I CAN do in spite of my knee problems; and discovered some tolerable low-impact fitness videos on YouTube that have shown me that there's alot more I CAN do than I thought --and none of it costs me a penny. So if anyone thinks they can't do anything because of money, open your mind to other possibilities than the ones you can't afford. You might be surprised to find what you CAN do when you put your mind to it. As far as not being able to afford to eat healthy....that's easy.....you eat now, right? I mean none of us would be in the position we are of needing to lose weight if we just didn't eat, so no point in denying it. It's just a matter of spending your food budget on HEALTHY food options instead of junk food and processed foods. You don't have to shop at trendy and spendy organic food markets to start making healthy choices. Just swap whole wheat bread for white or refined wheat; try whole wheat pasta, fresh veg instead of canned, 1% milk instead of 2% or whole. Look for labels that say "light" or "low-fat" or "fat free" or "reduced sodium" or "low sodium." Alot of brands have the healthier versions next to the regular ones at pretty much the same price so "too expensive" is not an excuse. Get unsalted butter instead of salted. Stop adding salt to every recipe and find other spices and herbs to flavor your food. There are alot of ideas out there about what is healthy, but if you struggle with healthy eating, starting with a few simple changes like this can make a huge difference in putting you on the road to weight loss and a healthier you. It has for me. I don't pretend to know everything there is to know but I do know from experience that it really is a lot simpler than we like to tell ourselves it is when we just want to justify not doing what we know we really should be doing and divorce ourselves from the guilt of it.

ChristineS_51

I am always surprised when people say that. You have to buy food anyway, just don't buy processed crap, soda drinks, fast food etc. Eating healthy is not expensive. You don't have to buy organic etc. You don't have to join a gym / buy fancy gym clothes.

Being healthy means less trips to the doctors / medication etc.

The only thing I have found is that having lost 50 lb (23.1 kgs) is that I have to buy new clothes, but even that I am doing at charity shops - what a buzz - four new shirts for $12!!

It is just another excuse, and when and if people are ready then they will do it.

AmiC0717

Love this. When I started losing weight in May, I walked. That's free. I walked and whined about walking and whined some more but I kept trying. Then I started riding the old bike in the garage. Loved it! Better than walking for me anyways. But I kept up with both of them. Then I started digging around and found out that my insurance company reimburses me the cost of my Y membership as long as I go 4 times a month. Yep turns out they pay for my family to go to the Y. How could I not go?

ChristineS_51

I used to make those "I can't afford to...." excuses and it's true. I literally do not have any discretionary funds for gym or swim center memberships, exercise classes and diet "programs." I do not have Starbucks everyday --or really at all. We VERY rarely go out to eat. Every bit that comes in goes to pay rent & utilities, put gas in the car and keep us all fed and clothed. There is no extra...I am SO NOT kidding. BUT, that being said....when I realized that the only way I was ever going to be out of pain, I stopped with the excuses and realized....hey, sure I can't pay someone to do this for me or with me, but HELLO SELF -- do you still have two feet that work? Ummm, yeah, of course. Then you CAN do something. Stop telling yourself you can't do anything just because you can't do what you want. You can walk --if nothing else, you can walk and you don't need any fancy clothes or equipment or memberships to do it. Here's your shoes, there's a sidewalk...now just get out there and do it and I don't want to hear your excuses! Since then I have gotten my bike repaired which is another no cost exercise I CAN do in spite of my knee problems; and discovered some tolerable low-impact fitness videos on YouTube that have shown me that there's alot more I CAN do than I thought --and none of it costs me a penny. So if anyone thinks they can't do anything because of money, open your mind to other possibilities than the ones you can't afford. You might be surprised to find what you CAN do when you put your mind to it. As far as not being able to afford to eat healthy....that's easy.....you eat now, right? I mean none of us would be in the position we are of needing to lose weight if we just didn't eat, so no point in denying it. It's just a matter of spending your food budget on HEALTHY food options instead of junk food and processed foods. You don't have to shop at trendy and spendy organic food markets to start making healthy choices. Just swap whole wheat bread for white or refined wheat; try whole wheat pasta, fresh veg instead of canned, 1% milk instead of 2% or whole. Look for labels that say "light" or "low-fat" or "fat free" or "reduced sodium" or "low sodium." Alot of brands have the healthier versions next to the regular ones at pretty much the same price so "too expensive" is not an excuse. Get unsalted butter instead of salted. Stop adding salt to every recipe and find other spices and herbs to flavor your food. There are alot of ideas out there about what is healthy, but if you struggle with healthy eating, starting with a few simple changes like this can make a huge difference in putting you on the road to weight loss and a healthier you. It has for me. I don't pretend to know everything there is to know but I do know from experience that it really is a lot simpler than we like to tell ourselves it is when we just want to justify not doing what we know we really should be doing and divorce ourselves from the guilt of it.

Well said!! :flowerforyou: great ideas

Topsking2010

If you have a job there is no excuse to be healthy. Some people workout at home and still are fit!!

Eat at home more to keep your expenses down!!!

soymilkcoffee

I was just having this discussion last week with a few friends. They were saying that it is much more expensive to eat healthy foods. They compared a $1 liter of soda to, say, a head of broccoli. Well yeah, those cheap bags of chips and soda may be cheaper, but are you really going to live off of that stuff? It is much cheaper to buy fruits, veggies and chicken in bulk than to buy fast food or processed junk. Just need to do some math.

AmiC0717

Oh what is costing me now? Having to replace clothes because my sorry butt dropped 3 sizes. Yep I went from a 3x to about an XL in most things. Eating better can be more expensive but my blood pressure is completely normal, my breathing is normal no more asthma issues and my knees and feet don't hurt nearly so much. I try to cook at home so I can do it cheaper and not buy processed foods but somtimes I do buy Lean Cuisines etc. when they are on sale - for convenience sake only. We have a few farmers markets nearby and I grew my own tomatos this year. There are ways to do this! Be strong!

njmp

Veggie's just AREN'T expensive. If you take a half an hour out of your day to cook instead of buying premade CRAP you save money and calories.
Even those healthy dinners. Tiny portions, full of sodium. I can make something 15x better than that with about 20 minutes worth of effort.

Yeah....they are. But they're worth it. $3.99/lb for orange peppers is expensive. I paid $4.18 for 5 apples the other day. I on average spend at least $50 a week on fruit and veg for me and BF. I have the money to do it, I buy the specialty stuff and stuff that's not in season when I want it, but yeah, it is expensive.
I used to be a residential counsellor for young teenagers, and one of them challenged me to find any dinner per serving that cost less than a bag of perogies divided by four people. I couldn't. I doesn't mean I agree that the easy option is better, but I concede that it can b e less expensive
Anyways...with all that said...cheers to veggies!

amyoliver85

I think that people who say those things are misinformed. A healthy meal from the grocery store costs approximately 40-50% LESS than a fast food meal. I have never had a gym membership. I saved my leftover change (I kid you not) and then bought a used treadmill with that change for $45.45 (after I bought 2 new batteries for the display console). I bought a bicycle at a secondhand bike shop for less than $100. I buy free weights as I get stronger. The cost is minimal to buy those if you don't buy them all at once.

Plus, medical costs associated with being unhealthy are a lot scarier than the costs of a couple sets of free weights. I should know. I would love to show any person who makes up an excuse like that what a bill looks like for a person going through treatments for Lupus. It's A LOT cheaper to lift 5 lb weights for 15 minutes 3 times a week than it is to cough up $7,500 for a treatment AFTER the insurance pays. So I do what I'm told and I thank god for my LESS THAN $200 in exercise equipment.

:-D :-D :-D

amoffatt

I can't afford food so therefore I dont eat so in return I lose weight...:laugh:

Just kidding. For real, we can all afford to eat healthy, it is just an excuse some of us may use, guilty here. I have less than $400 a month to spend on a family of 4 and there are ways it can be done.

sonjarogers72

That is really a great post!! Funny how you cant afford a bag of boneless chicken breasts, but that value meal cost just as much- and it can be meals for a week!!!

firstsip

Veggie's just AREN'T expensive. If you take a half an hour out of your day to cook instead of buying premade CRAP you save money and calories.
Even those healthy dinners. Tiny portions, full of sodium. I can make something 15x better than that with about 20 minutes worth of effort.

Yeah....they are. But they're worth it. $3.99/lb for orange peppers is expensive. I paid $4.18 for 5 apples the other day. I on average spend at least $50 a week on fruit and veg for me and BF. I have the money to do it, I buy the specialty stuff and stuff that's not in season when I want it, but yeah, it is expensive.
I used to be a residential counsellor for young teenagers, and one of them challenged me to find any dinner per serving that cost less than a bag of perogies divided by four people. I couldn't. I doesn't mean I agree that the easy option is better, but I concede that it can b e less expensive
Anyways...with all that said...cheers to veggies!

I think either statement isn't entirely fair. Depending on where you are, produce can or can't be expensive. However, buying in season is generally a pretty static price across the board. I live in the upper Midwest of the US, where not only were we hit incredibly hard by the drought, but we generally only produce blueberries, corn, cherries, apples, and beets locally. However, there are tons and tons of ethnic markets and farmers markets--all of which are far cheaper than grocery stores. I swear by these types of stores. Don't be afraid to go where you can't read the signs--produce is produce.

amyoliver85

njmp, do you happen to have a hispanic population where you live? If you do, they probably have a grocery store targeted specific at them. Shop there for fruits and veggies and not at the regular grocery store. Mainstream stores mark up prices like the wazoo but population-targeted grocery stores rarely do this. I buy oranges at my local Hispanic supermarket at 7 lbs for 99-cents. I am NOT lying. I buy avocados 5 for $1. Peppers, strawberries, squash, apples, you name it, it's CHEAPER there.

I appreciate that these stores do not price gouge and I am pleased to be a patron.

desiv2

A girl came up to me and asked me if I lost weight, I said, "Yeah, I have." Then she said that she really wishes she could do what I have. I told her she could, to sign up on this website, and to eat healthier... before I could tell her more about exactly HOW TO DO WHAT SHE WISHES FOR SO MUCH! She interrupts me and says, "Oh, I'm too busy and I don't have the money right now."

Excuse me!? I am busy and broke, and guess what? I gave a lot up to change my life, my friends probably hate me because I stopped going out weekly to spend money on drinks, food, and worthless items at target and gordmans. Anyone can find the time and money to do something for their health, and honestly if some people don't-- then they wont have much time or money because they will be six feet under.

MissAshFit1989

Load of crap, really do you NEED a gym to workout? No. So get off the couch and go for a walk, do some sit-ups, squats, dips in your home or at a park. I don't have a gym membership because I get frustrated with people hogging machines or leaving their sweat on things. As for food, I used to spend $30-40 a week on lunches.....bad food. Now I spend $25 tops and it's all good healthy, yummy and filling food.

RobynMWilson

If they don't have the money to be healthy then I suppose they have it for their diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol meds then right? And their arthritis meds? IF they're lucky enough to have medical insurance and even then the copays are getting higher and higher...

amoffatt

As for the gym: I don't get where people get the notion that they require a gym to workout. I haven't stepped in a gym in 6 years, yet I seem to be doing alright (aside from 3 of those years, after I injured myself).
[/quote]

Well Said! I work out at home. I jog, do work out DVD's (I have a lot because I get bored real easy with the same one over and over) and so forth. I cannot afford a gym membership and even if I could, I am too self conscience to work out as hard as I need to burn the calories I want infront of others, that is just me. It is about being creative.

Squirrely_Girl

I couldn't have said it better. Make your health a priority. That $100.00 tv bill? Not really all that important in the scheme of things. Your health is

Molly_Maguire

I wanted to address something I see a lot in real life and here on MFP, especially with women.

So often women write their plea for help and it's noted with "But I don't have money for the gym" or "I don't have money to buy healthy foods".


Before those words leave your mouth or your fingers the next time, tell me....what IS your health worth? What is the exact dollar amount that you are willing to pay per month or per year in order to improve your life and possibly be around longer for your loved ones?

Before those words leave your mouth or fingers again, take a real hard look at your budget and what you spend your extra money on. Maybe even track ALL your non-essentials for a month. How many times are you eating out a month?? How many mochas at Starbucks? How many packs of gum did you grab while checking out at the store? How many times did you find some really great deal on a shirt on clearance at Target so you spent the extra $10 on that trip? The reality is that MOST of us here with computers and internet live a life that probably has an extra $50 a month (or more) that we typically spend on non-essential things.

I'm not judging. And I'm not saying everyone needs a gym membership in order to be successful. What I'm saying is this....you probably ARE worth a $50 a month investment in getting healthy and staying healthy. If that's a couple of boxes of protein bars instead of pop-tarts or a gym membership or a set of work out DVDs or whatever. You're worth it. You probably have it. It's just about shifting priorities. And I think it's ok to make yourself a priority every now and again.

Preach it, girl! The people who want it the most WILL find a way to do it!

penniemh

I find this thread very interesting for the fact of one of my reasons for wanting to lose wt is to lower my grocery bill...less wt means less calories eaten equals less food bought, means $$ saved...Eating is just expensive, either junk or healthy. I happen to be opting for healthy(ier). As for Farmer's Markets...here, where I live, the itty, bitty farmer's market we have once a week is more expensive than even our local harris teeter's.

I, too, cannot afford gym membership. However; I use work 'as exercise' since I walk, lift, bend, stretch and move during the course of the day, my current position allows me to climb stairs as much or as little as I choose over the course of the day. It may not be the ideal way to get my exercise in, but it's better than sitting on my bum all day.

-Pennie

curtnrod

I don't go to the gym, I walk or ride my bike. Works for me and costs me nothing

Rita_1967

Depending on where you live, groceries can be inexpensive or expensive. I live in Canada and food prices here are through the roof. Items like chicken, milk, butter, produce are usually much cheaper south of the border. Also, your income plays a big role in what you can or cannot afford to buy. I agree you have to make your own priorities, but people on fixed incomes sometimes have to decide between paying the heating bill or buying groceries. I know a lot of people who struggle just to feed and house their kids. That being said, exercise is free to everyone. You can walk, dance, play with your kids, etc. all for free. No gym membership is required. And if you can't afford a car, then I guess you will be walking/biking more than the rest of us lazy, car driving people, and saving the expense of an automobile for more important things. I think being educated about healthy living is much more important than the size of your wallet.

meadow_lily

I do not have any spare money, I pay our bills & buy the very bare minimum household items (i even make my laundry soap-costs me less than $1 month) I have a family of 5 we don't eat out at restaurants, we don't buy new clothes even clearance, my baby uses cloth diapers & cloth wipes I make my coffee every morning in my cheap little coffeemaker, don't have a car or cell phone, our only splurge is $26 for internet but that saves us on cable and cell phones so its worth it. I get all my exercise from walking as I have no other choice we live in a small town very limited barely existent public transportation or variety of stores, it is a bit difficult to keep fresh produce replenished due to getting across town & "shelf life" but its only been the last few years that I really took the time to purchase healthy foods and skip all the cheap "fillers" (pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, all cheap and mostly not really good for us)that I used to buy thinking it was all I could afford, the money I save on those I buy half decent meats and produce, we eat healthier we eat less the protein from the meat is filling and better than piling a plate with carb filled pasta because it's a $1 for a box, for me it wasn't that I had money elsewhere it was the perception that it wasn't affordable I think a lot of us are used to eating and shopping a certain way its a habit just as much as anything else, but I definitely know people who spend so much on shoes they don't wear and coffee out everyday they could pay my rent with what they spend but they say they can't afford things, so I totally agree

tourettte

for healthy eating I always find a way. Parents send packages every week.
as for gym...in my part of the world its around 750$ salary, 260 rent, 140 bills and 350 to save for college tuition, food that I still have to buy, monthly bus pass and clothes, cosmetics (shampoo, tampons, do it at home waxing) and emergency fund - doctors, emergency apartment/family/whatever.... and a good gym twice a week is 60$ so i chose to workout at home and run around....It might not be a perfect choice but until i get a permanent employment (and with it company gym usage ) it's all I have ))

Moxie42

I've always figured that if you don't have the money to be healthy, then god help you when you start having to deal with the expenses of not being healthy.

Such a great way to put it!!!

And as many people have said, walking and doing home exercises cost NOTHING, and buying veggies and fruit cost little compared to eating out every day. People might think "oh but I only spend $5 at _____(insert fast food place)." Assume three meals at that price and boom- $15 for one day. For $15, I can by 3 days' worth of meat/fish for TWO people AND veggies for at least 4 entree-sized salads. That's 8 meals as opposed to 3 off the value menu (2 if you're buying off the regular menu).

Growing produce is also an option if you want to seriously cut costs...but yes that does require time. But hey, we aren't going to have success handed to us...we need to compromise. Either shop around until you find the most affordable place convenient to you, or dedicate the time to growing.

Uuuhlexis

Veggie's just AREN'T expensive. If you take a half an hour out of your day to cook instead of buying premade CRAP you save money and calories.
Even those healthy dinners. Tiny portions, full of sodium. I can make something 15x better than that with about 20 minutes worth of effort.

Yeah....they are. But they're worth it. $3.99/lb for orange peppers is expensive. I paid $4.18 for 5 apples the other day. I on average spend at least $50 a week on fruit and veg for me and BF. I have the money to do it, I buy the specialty stuff and stuff that's not in season when I want it, but yeah, it is expensive.
I used to be a residential counsellor for young teenagers, and one of them challenged me to find any dinner per serving that cost less than a bag of perogies divided by four people. I couldn't. I doesn't mean I agree that the easy option is better, but I concede that it can b e less expensive
Anyways...with all that said...cheers to veggies!

I think either statement isn't entirely fair. Depending on where you are, produce can or can't be expensive. However, buying in season is generally a pretty static price across the board. I live in the upper Midwest of the US, where not only were we hit incredibly hard by the drought, but we generally only produce blueberries, corn, cherries, apples, and beets locally. However, there are tons and tons of ethnic markets and farmers markets--all of which are far cheaper than grocery stores. I swear by these types of stores. Don't be afraid to go where you can't read the signs--produce is produce.

That is my bad, I live in WA, veggies are super cheap here.