Hello again, savvy savers! Today I am starting another new blog series, Battle Of The Bulge, Budget-Style! I will be focusing on ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle while be able to afford clean, organic, obtainable foods! I believe this series can be worthwhile for many, who like myself, wish to get more in shape, not through crash-dieting but by small attainable lifestyle changes! All of the changes I propose will be free or affordable, and most meals and plans will contain couponed savings or deals! Fads are fancy, but coupons are a commitment! With that said, here is where I am currently: I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. I am looking to lose 60lbs., find affordable non-gym membership options for working out, and change the way I consume food; this includes meals, snacks, and splurges!

Today I am 31 years young, I am 5’6”, and weight is currently 203 lbs; this week past week I have lost 2 pounds. My lifestyle is beginning to change, as I have ventured into Yoga this week, and now incorporate this ancient-practice once a week into my Battle-Of-The-Bulge lifestyle changes. I have also tried eMeals, which I previously posted about here, as well I am drinking 6 glasses of water daily; I am working towards 8 glasses a day.

For my third post, in my Battle of the Bulge, Budget-Style series, I want to post about a diet aid that is so effortless, and budget-friendly, that you will be surprised you are not already utilizing this measure, the pedometer!

Pedometers are convenient, inexpensive, and user-friendly stepping counter. This battery device, I say battery device as I purchased mine from the Dollar Tree, made its debut in the United States in the 1990s and are still popular because of the many advantages associated with using them. These include:

1) Allowing the user the ability to classify their personal activity baseline to establish attainable exercise-related goals.

2) Pedometers are inexpensive.

3) Pedometers are a firm of instant-gratification, as you will know just home many steps you took during the day.

Also, according to the American Diabetes Association, if you decide to implement a pedometer in your day-to-day routine, consider this:

– If you walked 0-4,999 steps per day, you are classified as not very active.
– If you were in the 5000-7,499 range, you are low active.
– You are classified as somewhat active with 7,500-9,999.
– You are considered active when you reach 10,000-12,499 steps.
– You are considered highly active when you walk at least 12,500 steps per day.

I have found that by using a pedometer, and as I stared out as not very active, the pedometer encouraged me to step it up, walking wise. I started to implement small changes into my day, just to see my pedometer go up; I would walk to the mailbox, I walked two extra blocks with the dogs twice a day, I would walk to the end of the street to meet the UPS driver for deliveries, I made an extra trip to walk around my yard to check for leaves and fallen branches, and to tidy my yard up. I also make a point of stopping and immediately putting my mail away when it arrives, completing small 15-minute room pick-ups daily, and even walk around the kitchen while midday snacking, to help increase my personal mileage!

This motivation has helped me walk a whopping 3 miles a day, just indoors completing work, chores, pet and child care, and blogging! This combined with my new walking routine means I walk 5 miles a day, and am not putting forth more effort than normal; I am walking smarter, not harder!

A pedometer helps me to make losing weight fun, challenging, and budget-friendly!

Here’s to our health!