Can't Afford It...

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Replies

  • Caryn03
    Caryn03 Posts: 62 Member
    I walk, a lot. Living in a cold climate doesn't deter me, I have a 9 month old black lab that doesn't care what the weather, she needs exercise. My rule is: if it's colder than minus 15 I don't go and so far we haven't been that cold. Pushups, situps, squats, are just a few strength training exercise that don't require equipment. That being said, I have a basement full of exercise stuff, a treadmill, a bowflex, and exercise bike that don't see a lot of use because I really prefer to be outside. I wish you luck, this isn't an easy road to follow, but MFP really helps.

    Thank you very much for the encouragement and ideas.
  • sbjmorgan
    sbjmorgan Posts: 158 Member
    Copied this straight off of Tumblr:

    FULL BODY WORKOUTS:
    Jillian’s 30 Day Shred]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pc-NizMgg8
    Cardio, Sculpt & Tone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6olejYe6bU
    Beginners Total Body Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCg_gh_fppI
    New Body Makeover!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMnY5jAlp6Y
    Total Body 10 min Sculpt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWQtEfZMTB8
    AT HOME CARDIO

    Fat Melting Routine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOvIKdG7AwM
    Food Baby! HIIT Workout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSIgraWAisQ
    Summer Sweatfest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1WPkgEb4t4
    At Home HIIT Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7XkoGmhXQ
    30 Minute Cardio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwXzXpmwFG4
    Slim Down Cardio Burn [Made a post about this before, SO much fun!] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwVqStjPYQ0
    Quiet Cardio for Indoors!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8CRUrRekOQ&list=FLIJwWYOfsCfz6PjxbONYXSg&index=27
    New Year Slimdown!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8aLJTXkdbI
    ABS

    Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0HBmX0PuGc
    Abtacular Pilates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7XuiAmvrjk
    30 minute Flat Abs!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBqj6n5Mb-I
    VS Ab Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZoR7YKqIe8
    ABS ABS ABS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_1e7g1Smks
    HOT ABS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1DS7G9OjfQ
    Abominable Abdominals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB3637w-5_M
    BACK:
    How to strengthen your back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBl5wxZfl7s
    Bodacious Back & Sleek Shoulders [My fave - changed my back omg.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmKHy3rQ3Fk
    Sexy Back Workout!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZGmmDU7-bg
    Backless Dress Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7H4A2-UTZM
    Sculpted Back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h79Yj0De9U
    Back Exercises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6YPZ5j5nXs
    Back Attack!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmktEl7KZxQ
    MUFFIN TOP

    Beginners: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5aU3kLmX60
    Muffin Topless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1okL7ieoyY
    Muffin Top Meltdown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz-d97h6ZZw
    Exterminator!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVWZAjHM328
    Uh-Oh! Obliques: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93e5RP8Wd5I
    WAIST:

    The Corset Workout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yENYdGnxmhg
    Cinch That Waist!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKj6yEAW6GI
    Waist Slimmer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUur9Jqm64c
    Waist Exercises: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82O3hS4Tm2M
    ARMS:

    Beginners: Sleek and Sexy Arms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO87_yr7pjo
    Arm Attack!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmuH3Jw-FAE
    Awesomesauce Arms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3j1MGTLeFw
    VS Arm Slimming Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8rUKK8E19k
    Sculpt & Shrink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTGBFlB1fEI
    Tone Tone Tone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpotY6rZL4o
    Slim Arms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihok8WJnVd4
    Toned Triceps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN8PdSn_XjI
    Tricep Toner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVnT72Hy_HA
    LEGS:

    Beginner Inner Thighs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltVa07h87bw
    Legersize Workout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpLUaGa8Wew
    Inner Thigh Insanity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT4UlsoQchY
    Legs & Thigh Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHfe0rG_THk
    Inner Thigh Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0G7A14-q7k
    Lean Legs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-4A_Ki7us8
    Standing Pilates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5mYC9xUtDA
    SQUATS|GLUTES:

    Butt Blaster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q7L673i8OY
    Bee Bootylicious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzZSCsw6i2c
    Super Workout: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LLFHwI3SJM
    Bubble Butt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faQ9lkjiRaM
    VS Bombshell Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsrCv3OktCs
  • RobertHendrix
    RobertHendrix Posts: 98 Member
    As a few others have said check to see if there is a Planet Fitness near you. www.planetfitness.com
  • atxdee
    atxdee Posts: 613 Member
    run, roller blade, water sports, walk, shop,
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I think I might be the only one on here that goes to a $10/mo gym that's not Planet Fitness. Squat and power racks, FTW!!!


    In addition to what's already been mentioned, you can find resistance bands for not too much - under $10 per band, or ~$20 for a set of three - and those will provide some benefit if you can't afford free weights for home.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Haven't read al the replies ... sorry if this has been mentioned already.

    Weatherproof your workout ..... the links are for "walking" workouts (indoors). DVDs are available at your local library, Netflix by mail, Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon .... all over really. This is my "excuse proof" workout.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjduJjO1pLg&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqWhX-RB1s0&feature=related
  • christmre
    christmre Posts: 109 Member
    I like the Walk at Home DVD's. They are a great low impact workout, not very expensive, and you can even get and watch them online.
  • meggonkgonk
    meggonkgonk Posts: 2,066 Member
    I pay for my running sneakers. That's about it. I've built up equipment a bit at a time, but I definitely slogged through without for a good long time.

    MapMyRun or Runkeeper to plan out my routes (you can sync Runkeeper to a smart phone if you have one). It's cold out? put on more clothes. Don't want to go out in the cold? Do jumping jacks, jump rope, and walking in place. Gives you the extra calorie space/wiggle room you need without being too intensive or needing much commitment

    I also second nerdfitness.com - search "beginner circuit".
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I go to the library and get DVDs. Workout ones, I mean. That's where I first tried Jillian Michaels, Tae Bo (over a decade ago), and many others. At least here, they check out for free for a week.

    Hand weights aren't all that expensive at Wal-Mart or Target. Skip the 1 and 2 lb for sure … if you have to start at that weight, use soup cans. I bought a pair of 3's, 5's, and later 8's. Now, sometimes I double them up (8+5 in one hand), but I'm ready to buy some more. A bit at a time is not that costly.
  • Caryn03
    Caryn03 Posts: 62 Member
    Couple of comments:
    my gym is $20/month. skip starbucks a few times a month and you will pay for it
    try the local YMCA. Often cheap rates
    do you have a big church near you? Some of them have gyms or cardio rooms.
    pull up bar at home
    jump rope for cardio
    try Goodwill. I got an ERG there that was in great shape for under $100.

    Good luck!

    I never thought of going to goodwill to see if I can find anything, even if it's a weight i can use. I don't drink Starbucks or coffee at all. I don't really feel (at least I think) that I have a habbit that I do that could save me an extra $10.00 a week or so. :)

    Thank you for the encourgement!
  • tracygolden
    tracygolden Posts: 94 Member
    I do wii fit...
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    Adding exercise will not in itself make you lose weight. What it will do is increase your caloric deficit, which you could also do by eating less. If your caloric deficit is too low, exercise will fix that so long as you don't eat back the exercise calories. This could trigger weight loss, depending on exactly how low your deficit is (or how big your surplus is) combined with exactly how many calories you burn. If your caloric deficit is too high, exercise could trigger weight loss, but will also probably leave you weak and long term could cause big problems.

    So before you look at exercise, make sure you are getting the diet right -

    If diet isn't losing you weight, then in the vast majority of the time you don't have your caloric deficit set correctly. It could be too low (or non-existent, or even a surplus), but it could also be too high. You should check the forum post below. Be very honest with yourself about your activity levels, because both over and under estimating can stall progress. Most people on MFP are familiar with the post, and will be happy to help you put together a plan based on it. I'd be happy to do so, but I must point out that there are much, much more experienced members than me around.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Once you have an accurate idea of how active you are, make sure you are honestly and accurately logging your foods. There are many junk entries in the MFP database (take note of entries with an asterisk, they were created by users), so I suggest double checking each thing you enter for a few weeks, until you have a core of foods that you are confident have the right figures. For free flowing foods (liquids, rice, cereal, etc...) you're fairly safe using measuring cups to measure. For things that don't free-flow, I'd suggest weighing by gram. That way you'll have the most accurate figure of what you are eating. Don't forget to adjust up for seconds or down for leaving some on your plate!

    Once you've fixed any diet issues, and properly estimated your daily activity, I'd say you are ready to add exercise into the mix. Exercise is a good way to reach a caloric deficit without having to eat less. Since you've already set your caloric deficits in the above steps, any exercise you do actually earns you calories, which should be eaten. This way you can feel like you are eating more, without consuming extra net calories - free food! It doesn't get any better than that.

    If you have honestly, and accurately, completed the above steps, and you still don't see any weight loss, you should see your doctor. In the vast majority of people, a proper caloric deficit will result in weight loss.
  • tracygolden
    tracygolden Posts: 94 Member
    There's folks here that do speed walking in our mall. Our mall interior is opened three hours earlier then the stores for that purpose!
  • HuneeBunee08
    HuneeBunee08 Posts: 168
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/
  • rachellem86
    rachellem86 Posts: 62 Member
    I run the stairs in my house when I can't get to the gym.

    I also do mini circuits with burpees, mountain climbers, push-ups, etc. 30 Day Shred is fantastic and barely anything is needed to do it! Best of luck!
  • iamtutt
    iamtutt Posts: 10
    Hula Hoop...and they are fairly cheap!
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    To more directly answer the question, I'll echo other responses. Walk (mall walk if the weather is crappy like here) and do body weight exercises. If the walking stops pushing you enough, graduate to couch to 5k and learn to run.

    It's only gyms and exercise equipment manufacturers that want you to believe that you can't work out without a gym membership or exercise equipment.
  • PaveGurl
    PaveGurl Posts: 244 Member
    Lovin' the NerdFitness love! Rebels everywhere!

    Push ups, squats, crunches, leg lifts, planks, and bridge are all things that you can do to exercise at home with NO equipment. Once you master the basics, there are almost infinate variations you can do to make it ever more challenging. Convict conditioning is a GREAT book (don't let the name turn you off) and BeastSkills.com is a solid online resource.

    If you prefer equipment, people are always offloading old weights and whatnot on CraigsList, Freecycle (if you have one nearby), and your local charity shops, too :)


    It may be more challenging, not having a gym (I have a TERRIBLE time getting motivated to workout at home), but a gym is certainly not necessary to work out. Also, if you have local MFPers, see if you can ALL get together once a week to do a mall walk or something - having someone waiting on me can make a HUGE difference.

    Good luck!
  • family_girl2626
    family_girl2626 Posts: 46
    I was on the Sparkle website last night and they have lots of free videos there. I am interested in the 10min bootcamp. There is a series of different ones. You might get good use out of that. With the weather being -43 with windchill here today, the last thing I plan to do is walk outside or even leave to go to the gym when I get home from work. I think I will try some of these. Hope this helps.
  • katrwal
    katrwal Posts: 336 Member
    nerdfitness.com

    this.

    times 1000.:bigsmile:
  • zenpastry
    zenpastry Posts: 9
    YouTube has lots of great workout videos, all free. Pinterest is also a good resource- look under the health and fitness tab. If you are near a mall, there's mall walkers. Community rec centers are usually a lot cheaper than gyms.
  • kevin3344
    kevin3344 Posts: 702 Member
    Don't get me wrong, I'm all for this thread, working out on a budget because I've never belonged to a gym. Only ran on a treadmill once in my life! I dress warmly and run outside. I have free weights at home. I do Jillian's DVDs ($9 apiece). Total investment in all of my equipment: probably $50.

    But, I want to caution OP that the gym (or any workout for that matter) won't be a fix long-term. There are lot's of people who go to gyms with no results because they haven't gotten the eating part down. There is no other way: for long-term success you need to get this part right. Eat between your BMR and TDEE. This shouldn't feel like a chore and you shouldn't feel deprived. Leave room for fun or take a cheat meal if you need to.

    Yes, my friends know me as a runner but what they don't know is I've always been a pretty clean eater. I try and make good choices when I go out. Limit snacks at home. Drink water. Eat veggies. Look at the Success Stories, it can be done.

    Abraham Lincoln said, "if I had 8 hrs to cut down a tree, I'd spend 6 sharpening my axe". Don't spend all of your time at the gym only to undo your efforts with eating poorly. Lot's of people do that. Focus your efforts on eating right and the rest is easy. Some say 80% is diet, 20% exercise. I would go so far to say it's 95% diet, 5% exercise.
  • robino222
    robino222 Posts: 14 Member
    Check out the YMCA. Someone told me that will adjust fees based on your income if you ask. I think you have to provide a couple months proof of income level -- worth a try.
  • Yaya1976
    Yaya1976 Posts: 357 Member
    Youtube has so many workout videos, you'll never get bored. I purchased 5 lbs dumb bells and recently 10 lbs dumb bells from walmart, they were pretty inexpensive. Good luck to you! :drinker:
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    I am sure it has been said already but I didn't read everything.

    Youtube.com

    if you have a smart phone or tablet there are a lot of great free apps out there that show you some good body weight exercises - no need for equimpent you can use your own weight for resistance.

    Go for a walk...
  • wendyholla
    wendyholla Posts: 11
    I work in an 8 story building so during my lunch, I walk up and down the stairs. If it's warm, I will go outside and walk. The stairs are hard for me all at once, going up, so I will walk a flight and get off on the floor and walk around for a min or 2. Also helps me to get acquainted with the different business in the building.
  • hauer01
    hauer01 Posts: 516 Member
    I don't belong to a gym and haven't for years. Just plain can't afford it (there are NO cheap gyms around here, mostly about $50.00 a month).

    I work out at home, doing push ups, sit ups, planks, crunches. I eventually started to buy a few inexpensive workout videos (I don't even have the internet at home, again... to expensive and I am on a VERY tight buget). But I could find some Jillian Michaels DVDs for about 8 bucks a piece. For weights, I would fill up jugs with water until I could afford to buy some simple hand weights.

    It is all very doable, it just might take some creativity.
  • crazyellybean
    crazyellybean Posts: 999 Member
    If you have cable use the "on demand" service, netflix for $7.99 you can stream vidoes, or for like $15 you can get DVDs and do Shred and other workouts..

    also invest in a set of weights (even just 1 set for now) and use a source like JEFIT for ideas on how to use them and create a circuit...

    and ofcourse you always have the great outdoors!
  • specialemy
    specialemy Posts: 141 Member
    I used to just 'march in place' but I now go up and down the stairs in my house and at work (I work on the 5th floor) so it's definitely a workout plus seems a bit more harder than getting on the elliptical machine. Try going up and down the stairs for 15 minutes straight, your legs will burn!
  • DonnaLeeCattes
    DonnaLeeCattes Posts: 492 Member
    My gym costs $10.00 a month or roughly 30 cents a day. Maybe you can continue shopping for a less expensive gym?

    Dang, I would be stoked to find a gym that is $10.00 a month. I will have to see what I can find.
    I would be too....I can't afford one either, so I do Jillian and Bob Harper videos and other stuff from you-tube

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