Ways I saved money this week

I do not pay for a gym membership! I have hand weights, a resistance band, a kettle bell, a set of stairs, hiking boots, a bike and snow shoes. All except for the set of stairs, were gifts or purchased second hand.

I stay in decent shape and I have neither an annual nor a monthly fee for excercise!

I see people drive up to the local gym, circle the lot to find the closest parking spot, then go inside. Mind boggling, indeed.

Go for a hike, friends! Trust me on this one.

I did what I said I would not do....

Yes, I joined a gym. For so long I was completely against gyms. The frugal girl in me couldn't justify the expense. I didn't want to use sweaty equipment. I didn't want people seeing me all sweaty and gross.

I have a stationary bike, hand weights, stairs to climb and work out videos. I was doing so well. I lost almost 19 pounds on my own! I walked and worked out at home. So, what happened?

I got a job. For that reason, when I was home, I was either catching up on chores or the kids needed my attention. Either that or the dogs and cats needed attention. There are too many distractions. I've tried to work out, and then I would notice I didn't vacuum yet. Oh, and I need to throw that load of laundry in. Oh yeah, gotta take the trash to the curb, etc. I haven't really worked out in months! I feel yucky and tired all of the time. I'm getting cranky. My digestion is angry.

Hubby told me his gym was running a special, to add on a family member. I know, I've not been supportive of hubby belonging to 3 gyms. Why spend so much money, when you can just run around the neighborhood? Yes, I am eating crow. I admit defeat. So, for $10 a month I will now be a member of a gym. Ta-da! Did I like it the first time? I actually did. My preconceived notions of going to a gym were wrong. Its actually pretty fun. And, after 2 weeks, I feel good again. Less cranky. Lost 2 pounds. I'm sitting here, waiting for hubby to wake up, so we can go!

Sometimes, you have to spend money for your health. Sometimes, you have to come out of your comfort zone, and try something new.

Ouch!

Um, so do you ever find yourself on a nice run or walk, and think hey..I can make it a few extra blocks/steps/yards/miles? Then you wake up the next morning and wish you hadn't done that?

That's me. And that's today.

Hello Advil, my old friend. Meet heating pad, my new friend.

Starting over

This has been one very busy year! I had the best intentions, when I added my daily workout to my goals list. I really planned to keep up with exercising and eating healthy.

I failed.

I would do well with my food journal, for a few weeks, and then forget. I would be right on with my walks and/or workouts. Then forget.

It's been a few years since I lost 18 pounds. I really don't want to gain any of it back. So far Ive gained only about 2 pounds back. That's not too bad, but I just feel blah most of the time. Not drinking enough water, too much sugar, no exercise. I need to fix this! Time to add my health back to the to-do list!

I started small. I'm starting with the workouts first. The diet will come second. It takes time to make it a habit. I'm sore today, but I feel happy about that. My food journal is making a comeback. I had more water today and less coffee. I had more veggies and less chips. I had egg whites and veggies for breakfast, and no bread. I'm adding a few more minutes to my workouts everyday. My goal is to get back to at least 20 minutes per day. For now.

I can do this

my frugal exercise routine

I do not like to exercise! I avoid gyms like the plague. But I do like to look and feel healthy. What's a girl to do?

I walk. I try to walk 2 miles a day at least 2-3 days a week.

I own a stair stepper and indoor bike. I try to ride the bike for 5 minutes a day. Sometimes a couple of times per day. I also make it a goal to get at least 400 steps on the stair stepper. I have free weights and a Kettle Bell. If I'm watching TV, I will use those then.

All of my equipment was gifted to me, or purchased at a thrift store. I refuse to pay for a gym membership. I'm far too cheap!

At random times during the day, I stop and do 40 or so jumping jacks, push-ups or bicycle crunches.

I keep track of my steps using a pedometer and my goal is 10,000 steps per day.

I practice yoga. I try to fit yoga into my schedule a few times per week. I have DVDs that were gifted to me as well.

During the growing season, I spend as much time as possible doing yard/gardening work.

I don't really have a routine. I just make it a plan to do something every day.