Losing Weight on a Budget

[rubato]

I agree with the walking. I know it isn't fun in the cold and snow, but it's a better workout in the snow! : Just make sure you have good footwear and bundle up.

Borrow exercise DVDs from the library. Free of charge, and, you can find out if they are any good before you buy. Fit TV on cable and satellite. Find shows you like and record them to use them when you have time.

Good, old fashioned floor work. Sit ups, pushups, squats, lunges, etc...

Jumping rope is fantastic to get your heartrate up.

As far as eating cheap, I know fresh is expensive. But, if you can avoid all processed foods and aren't overeating, it can be done. Buy what's in season and on sale. Tuna is cheap. Chicken breast goes on sale a lot. Water is free and the best thing for your body.

Good luck. I love WW and lost all my weight on it. It's basically the same thing as calorie counting, which, in my opinion, is the best way to eat right. You figure out early on that the healthy foods have less points/calories so you can eat more of them and feel fuller longer.

 

[ougrad86]

When I was getting ready for the trip, I started doing circuits of the mall. If you can focus on what you are doing and avoid the tempting windows, you can get quite a workout. The customer service for the mall very often can tell you the size of the mall so you know how far you walk. It's a good workout, and can be done in any kind of weather.

I have oatmeal for breakfast, and soup for lunch. I add saltines to the soup, they do not add much for points and fill me up more than just soup. Sometime told me that it would made you retain water. I haven't had that trouble, but I figured I could only retain so much water, and then I would see the weight continue to come off. Fiber One has a great chocolately bar that I eat as a snack - only a couple of points, and lots of fiber. You can get them cheap at Costco - they cost an arm and a leg if you by them at a regular grocery store.

 

[funnygarcia]

If you have an ipod touch or iphone, head to the app store and download Lose It. The app is free and easily let you track calories consumed and activity which burns them all. Will show you a weekly and daily bar graph of how you're doing.

I like that one too.
Spark is also available as an app, it links with your online account.

 

[KKB]

That is my favorite website. I love the 3 points and under ideas for WW!

can i find this? I have looked on dwlz but can't find it
Thanks!

 

[funnygarcia]

Good info on Dottie's, but clunky for user.

Home
"Articles and bits of info" dark blue tag on left side
Right side of page "food lists"
3rd link down "3 point or less foods"

direct link
http://www.dwlz.com/WWinfo/3pointfoods.html

 

[Smile4Me]

Great tips everyone! Keep them coming!
I'm not overweight, but my goal is to be healthier and practice healthier habits- both me and my boyfriend actually. We need to start with the basics-eating breakfast everyday, stop drinking pop, and exercising even if is just a little everyday. Got a dog this summer and enjoy walking him regularly,,,but need to bring him home and go further ! (he's a bulldog and not much for real strenuous exercise!)

 

[seashoreCM]

I would think that losing weight on a budget would be the easiest thing in the world to do: eat less.

A half hour walk should consume a lot of calories that might otherwise turn into fat. I think it takes a half mile of walking to use up one jellybean or gumdrop.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I would think that losing weight on a budget would be the easiest thing in the world to do: eat less.

A half hour walk should consume a lot of calories that might otherwise turn into fat. I think it takes a half mile of walking to use up one jellybean or gumdrop.

This USED TO BE an encouraging thread...

 

[KKB]

I would think that losing weight on a budget would be the easiest thing in the world to do: eat less.

A half hour walk should consume a lot of calories that might otherwise turn into fat. I think it takes a half mile of walking to use up one jellybean or gumdrop.

Considering you burn around 100 calories/hr. when you walk...a jelly bean has about 5 calories and a gumdrop has about 10 calories.

I don't think snide remarks are necessary. These boards are to be helpful.

How do we contact a moderator? This guy is making snide remarks on more than one thread...on another thread he has suggested that declaring bankruptcy isn't bad because it socks the companies who charge huge interest rates (response to poster who is seeking to AVOID bankruptcy...)

 

[OceanAnnie]

Prevention.com has a great weight loss section. I plan to use their food diary. It has a great visual (graphs, calories, fat, and such) added to the diary.

 

[smkiya]

I would think that losing weight on a budget would be the easiest thing in the world to do: eat less.

A half hour walk should consume a lot of calories that might otherwise turn into fat. I think it takes a half mile of walking to use up one jellybean or gumdrop.

Let's assume this was correct. Even so, the most important benefit of walking is not that it burns calories. It helps improves blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, helps to prevent osteoporosis, decreases the risk for diabetes, improves muscle tone, etc. and etc. If all a person can do is a half a mile a day and all it burned was one jellybean (which it doesn't), but continued to provide the benefits I highlighted (which it does), I'd be ecstatic!

I'm a lifetime WW member. Got that status in July 2008. Got pregnant and put membership on hold until 6 weeks postpartum. I got back down to goal weight within 3 months. WW Rocks! I shop with coupons and I only buy items on sale. I avoid prepacked 'diet' foods as they lack in calories, but also in nutritional value. Portion control is important, and helps with the budget. Instead of 2 pork chops at dinner, I have 1 and freeze the extra for another meal. Turkey meatloaf instead of beef (ground turkey is cheaper and leaner!). A great 'fried' alternative to french fries if you're feeling 'deprived' (peel a few potatoes and slice them about 1/8 inch thick like potato chips but thicker. Slice some onions. Use cooking spray in a nonstick fry pan and throw in the potatoes and onions with seasoning of your choice... salt, mrs. dash... until soft. I eat mine with ketchup, but they're delicious without anything). In a nutshell, I don't deprive myself of food. Portion control is really the key, but don't deprive yourself. Limit processed, high fat foods & low fat, make your own snacks and you'll save money, lose weight, and become healthier. Good luck!

 

[MarilIncredible]

Honestly, I concentrate on buying lots of seasonal produce. Look at the sale papers and buy what is on sale. If baby carrot are on sale for $1 a bag, buy them for snacks or to supplement lunch. If pears are $1.50/lb, buy those.
Stock up on low fat meats and fish when they are on sale, too. I think chicken can last a few months on the freezer, and I think beef can go for 6 months.

Also, if you are watching calories and more importantly the AMOUNT of food you are eating, it is not that hard to eat more healthily on a budget. A bag of Doritos is $3.50 or more. A can of garbanzos, a splash of olive oil, a dash of garlic [to make hummus]and a bag of baby carrots or some celery is probably about $2.50. Which is the cheaper snack, that also happens to be FAR better for you.

I invested in a good pair of running shoes, some warm exercise clothes and think gloves and took up jogging. I'm up to abuot 2 -3 miles each night with my dog. I had a gym membership, but I found it hard to stay motivated to go, especially when there are so few hours of daylight this time of year. My dog will ALWAYS need to be exercised, and he really seems to love it.

I got serious about 2 monhs ago and have already lost 15 lbs. I have more energy and find myself getting fuller on much less food as well. I wasn't even really craving too many sweets when we were visiting the families for Xmas.

Good luck, all!

 

[Chickysmom]

The iPhone app Edibles is a super great and easy way of tracking your weight and WW points....it does have a cost but the creator is constantly taking buyers advise and incorporating it into new updates.....she is fantastic!

 

[DawnM]

That would require AT&T and an iPhone......that would cost several hundred up front and quite a bit per month.

Dawn

The iPhone app Edibles is a super great and easy way of tracking your weight and WW points....it does have a cost but the creator is constantly taking buyers advise and incorporating it into new updates.....she is fantastic!

 

[bumbershoot]

I would think that losing weight on a budget would be the easiest thing in the world to do: eat less.

All sounds so easy from the outside, doesn't it?

However, most people who have weight to lose aren't eating simply too much of a perfect diet. Generally, the foods being eaten aren't the greatest. And often the cheapest foods are the ones that pack on pounds. So to eat a better diet, instead of just less of a cruddy one, it does tend to cost more.

 

[Weluvdisny]

I don't know how much this is budget-related but I have been going to Zumba 2-3 times a week. I just love it!! I could go every day. It's an hour workout/dance and it's so much fun! I've never been one to spend money on a gym membership or anything so it's really hard to spend $5/class. But I don't think I could give it up now. I've been going for about 6 weeks and I can definately tell a difference in my body shape. Love, love, love Zumba!!

 

[Minnie M6]

I don't know how much this is budget-related but I have been going to Zumba 2-3 times a week. I just love it!! I could go every day. It's an hour workout/dance and it's so much fun! I've never been one to spend money on a gym membership or anything so it's really hard to spend $5/class. But I don't think I could give it up now. I've been going for about 6 weeks and I can definately tell a difference in my body shape. Love, love, love Zumba!!

I love zumba too! I thought there was no way I would be able to keep up, as it's fast paced the entire hour.... and I'm about 40 pounds overweight. But it is so much fun, and the music is great, and the hour flies by! I'm only able to get to a class once a week right now because of schedule conflicts, but I'm going to add a water aerobics class through the week to supplement. These are the only 2 exercises I have ever found that I really enjoy.

I'm loving all the great ideas! I'm considering Weight Watchers since they're having a free sign up right now. I just need to make sure I'm actually ready to follow it- I have found that mind set is the most important thing in any eating plan. (Which is why telling people to just eat less is pointless advice).

 

[Chickysmom]

That would require AT&T and an iPhone......that would cost several hundred up front and quite a bit per month.

Dawn

Umm....sorry if I got the thread off topic but...I thought it helpful info for those who could use it as the small fee for the app could benefit someone.....just my opinion that the app seemed good......please just ignore my post as I go back into hiding....

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Whole grains only
1% or non fat milk only
vegetables and fruit (1 fruit to every 3 vegetables. Cut the dumb things up as soon as you get home from the store. Make them EASY to eat)
beans, beans, the magical food. Fiber AND protein. Who knew?
salmon. grilled with a dry rub.
quinoa
water. Water. water.


Yoga DVD, Leslie Sansone DVD. Target will have exercise equipment and fitness clothing on sale by the weekend (it happens every new year)

LOG everything you eat and drink.

 

[KKB]

That would require AT&T and an iPhone......that would cost several hundred up front and quite a bit per month.

Dawn

It's a great tip! (I don't think OP was suggesting someone run out & get an iphone just for this app...)