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Losing weight on a budget.

WTBSE
WTBSE Posts: 72 Member
edited December 2024 in Introduce Yourself
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 :)

Replies

  • wyodawn
    wyodawn Posts: 217 Member
    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
    WTBSE Posts: 72 Member
    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
    angelraguel Posts: 142 Member
    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
    WTBSE Posts: 72 Member
    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
    angelraguel Posts: 142 Member
    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
    ZoobityBop Posts: 22
    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
    WTBSE Posts: 72 Member
    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.
This discussion has been closed.

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