Unexpected Ways to Get Healthy and Fit Without Spending A Fortune

In an effort to be completely honest with you, friends, I will tell you that I’m a bit vain. Certainly not in an obnoxious way (to my knowledge). I simply enjoy being put together, and I feel more confident, happier and more productive when I feel good about how I look. Each and every morning I do my hair, I put on my makeup and I choose an ensemble I feel pretty in. I wear heels for fun, and I love accessories. You won’t find me in yoga pants in the school drop-off line; you won’t find me in yoga pants anywhere but yoga.

I enjoy feeling good about myself, and looking good in turn. I like showing my kids that a woman can be everything; a mother, her own boss, a wife and a confident, happy woman. I enjoy looking good for my husband and myself. I just enjoy it. I also enjoy working out. I don’t like the gym and I don’t lift weights or have any desire to have overwhelming muscles all over my body, but I do like things firm and tight, and I do like being healthy. What I do not like, however, is spending money to be fit and thin.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I find that I don’t have to join the latest fads and trends in workouts and eating to maintain a healthy weight and a fit physique. It’s so easy to simply live a healthy lifestyle and spend money on great athletic shoes that support me when I jog or work or work out and to spend money on healthy food that makes me feel good and allows my family to eat well. So many people complain that being healthy and getting fit is too expensive what with gym memberships and shakes and meal plans and all that good stuff. I’m no fitness expert, but my doctor is always impressed with my amazing health, so I feel that I have at least that kind of authority to tell you that you do not have to break the bank to get fit. Really; you don’t.

Get A Dog

Listen, I am all about being healthy. I’m also all about giving a dog without a home a chance. Rescue a dog and save two lives. Not only will you save the life of the dog you rescue, you’ll also save your own life. Becoming a dog owner means committing yourself to exercise. It means playing fetch and Frisbee with the dog during the day. It means taking the dog on a long walk throughout the day, at least one long one and several short ones. It’s a great way to do something that makes you feel good from the inside out; and it’s free of charge. Well, except for the adoption fee and the cost of caring for a dog; but that’s minimal.

Join A Team

If you really want to get fit, join a team. If it’s a sport you love, you won’t even feel like you’re working out when you are doing your body good. Join a softball team, a basketball team, a flag football league; become a coach and run around the field with your kids. I coach my daughter’s cheerleading squad, so I get to jump, run, cheer and exercise with my daughter four nights a week at practice and again at games. It’s great exercise, it’s for her and she loves it; that makes it fun for me and therefore it does not feel much like exercise. Additionally, it’s free and it’s a great way to volunteer my time.

Eat Good Food

Listen, I’m just a huge fan of eating well. I am not a fan of meal replacement bars, shakes or things like that. I just like to eat an actual meal that’s good. Even when I’m short on time, I can grab a banana or an apple and eat it in the car; it’s not rocket science, you know. In our house, we don’t do special diets. We stay fit and healthy by being active and by having fun, but also by eating good food. My favorite snack is steamed edamame with sea salt.

My favorite breakfast is Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries. Our favorite dessert is chocolate covered strawberries. We don’t deprive ourselves of the good stuff around here, but we also don’t indulge every single day and we aren’t that big on drive-thrus (unless it’s Starbucks and it’s a Venti Blonde Roast). When I want to have a good meal for lunch, I make a salad. You know what is a great snack? Apples with peanut butter (throw a few chocolate chips in for fun!) and you can buy premade salads in a bag and all you have to do is add the toppings and shake it up (we just use very little topping).

You can eat good food without spending a ton of money or spending a bunch on pre-made food, meal plans or shakes. Want to know what we had for dinner last night? It was less than $20 for the entire meal for our family of 6. We had two pounds of fresh, steamed crab legs with some garlic butter on the side, a baguette, fresh broccoli I put in the oven for 25 minutes with a touch of olive oil, salt, pepper and some garlic and wine seasoning, and a pear gorgonzola salad. You’ll note we don’t do pasta or starches of that nature. It was delicious, amazing, and pretty good for us.

Being healthy does not require you spend an arm and a leg on food and fitness. It just means making good decisions, being active and enjoying life in the appropriate setting at the appropriate time.

Photo by Getty Images