Trying to lead an active, healthy lifestyle can sometimes feel tricky when you want to watch what you spend and stick to a dedicated budget. However, it does not need to be stressful if you are organized and can plan in advance. So here are some ideas to get you feeling inspired if you need help sticking to a healthy lifestyle routine without spending a fortune.
Plan Your Meals
Pre-planning what you are going to cook for the week is a good way to cut back on excessive spending on your grocery shop. This will allow you to only buy the necessary fresh produce that you need so you can put together some lovely home-cooked meals, without any excess food being wasted. If you compile a list of all the things that you need before when you visit the grocery store you are more likely to just buy what you need. So if for example, you need some high-fiber breakfast ideas for a healthy gut, you can just buy the necessary items in advance and know that you have them at home.
Eat Before You Shop
It is a good idea not to visit the grocery store when you are hungry as you are more likely to make impulse purchases, which will increase your food bill. If you have a tendency to throw random items into your grocery basket, then making sure you are not distracted by a rumbling stomach will help you to stay focused and on budget.
Buy Seasonal Produce
There is a vast variety of foods that are available in the grocery stores all year round. However, if you do not want to spend excessively on groceries then it is best to buy seasonal produce. You will not need to overspend on fruit and vegetables that have been flown in from another part of the world just so there is an endless supply. If you opt for seasonal produce you will still be reaping the health benefits but at a fraction of the price.
Look For Promotions
It can be useful to bulk buy certain non-perishable goods so that you have essential items when you need them. It can also save you some money in the long run if you are able to buy large quantities of an item that you use regularly. So definitely lookout for special promotions on your next grocery visit.
Make The Most of Your Nearby Park
Instead of signing up for an expensive gym membership that you are not guaranteed to use, why not go for a brisk walk, run or cycle to your nearest park. You can easily exercise for free here and also spend time outdoors in the fresh air, which is great for lifting your mood.
Join an Online Fitness Class
With a huge number of professional trainers and fitness gurus active on social media, it is a lot easier to find the necessary exercises that you need. Many tend to provide live-streamed videos where you can join in with the fitness class or it is uploaded onto their social media page at a later time. Having a professional that knows what they are doing and can guide you through the exercises is a great way to be active without having to spend any money either. So it’s a win, win situation.
Exercise With Company
You might be more inclined to keep fit if you exercise with a friend or family member. If you arrange a time and place to meet in a local park to go running or cycling together, this might give you the necessary boost that you need to keep fit. Whereas if you were to exercise on your own you might be more inclined to not go out because you don’t feel like going anymore.
Reduce the Number of Takeaways You Consume
Of course, it is good to treat yourself by ordering food from your favorite takeaway restaurant when you don’t feel like cooking. But relying on them regularly will certainly start to eat away at your budget. Takeaway meals cost a lot more than buying the ingredients yourself and cooking them from scratch. They are also likely to contain a lot more salt and sugar in the meals. So if you really want to be healthy, try and cut back on the number of takeaway orders you have each week.
