Keeping Your Body (and Your Wallet) in Tip-Top Shape

We all know that staying fit is important.

Yet as single parents, with limited time and resources, exercise can take a back to seat to other ‘life priorities’.

Furthermore, in times of economic hardship, it’s difficult to justify a $100 per month gym membership when you’re allocating funds to groceries, kids’ activities, and other overhead items that you must now manage on your own.

As a result, you may forgo exercise.  But at what expense? In the end, you put yourself at risk for weight gain, fatigue, a compromised immune system, and of course more serious conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

As a single mom and business owner, I get caught in the trap of trying to fit exercise, and the related expenses, into my day.  But I know I can’t compromise my workouts if I want to stay fit and healthy for myself, my clients, and most importantly, my family.

So I’ve come up with ways to stay fit, while minding my monthly expenses.  Hopefully these tips will work for you.  If you are committed to 30 minutes of exercise on most days, you can use the suggestions below to keep your body, and your wallet, in good shape.

Exercise Videos: Working out to a home-video is a great way to avoid costly gym memberships. It also cuts out the time-killers like driving to the gym, waiting for machines, and organizing your day around inconvenient class-times.  Consider a small collection of workout videos (you can find new videos on eBay for a fraction of the retail price), and rotate them every few days. The possibilities are endless – yoga, kickboxing, cross training, belly dancing, hip hop, and tai chi videos are just a few of the options. For consumer reviews check out:  http://www.consumersearch.com/exercise-video-reviews.

Turn on the TV: No, I’m not suggesting you watch The Biggest Loser and hope to get fit through osmosis!  Rather, channels like Fit TV offer tons of free ‘classes’ throughout the day, so that you can easily incorporate them into your routine. For a complete list of shows visit: http://fittv.discovery.com/tv-schedules/a-z.html.

Government Resources: Yes, the government is committed to your health. Check out these motivational and informational resources offered by the CDC and the US Health Department: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/index.html http://www.hhs.gov/safety/index.html.

Craigslist or Free Cycle: If you’re thinking about creating a home gym, check out internet sites like Craigslist and Free Cycle. You can often find inexpensive (or free!) exercise equipment that’s in great shape and worth the investment.  You’ll quickly pay for the initial cost when you compare it to a monthly membership fee or yoga class.

Near Free Exercise: Take advantage of low-cost activities that have a miminal ‘entry fee’ – i.e. the cost of running shoes or other equipment that you can amortize over many months or years – such as running, hiking, walking, bike riding, rollerblading, snowshoeing.  Once you’ve paid the up-front cost of equipment (which you can also buy used), you can maximize the investment by getting outdoors – i.e. FREE MEMBERSHIP – and enjoy exercising in the fresh air with your kiddos!

Bargain Shop: Should you decide to join a gym, shop around and pay attention to special promotions. Gyms offer reduced rates during the summer and just after the new year.  Things to consider: 1) the availability of day care 2) the quality of the equipment, 3) hours of operation that fit your schedule 4) and whether or not group classes are offered. The most expensive gyms are not necessarily the best for specific parenting needs.

Again, these are just a few ideas that have worked for me.  Let us know what’s working for you!  Any ideas for workout videos or home programs would also be greatly appreciated.

Make it a great day!