Archive for April, 2010

Conquer Swimsuit-season Panic with Fitness Tips That Won’t Have You Breaking the Bank

Most of our New Year’s resolutions to lose 10 pounds fell off the radar about three weeks into January. That doesn’t mean the swimsuit-season panic hasn’t set in – and that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get an improved look.

Here are some of my personal recommendations on getting fit without breaking the bank:

• Make it a team effort – A few of us in the office have created a group fitness challenge. We set difficult but achievable goals and, since we’re all tightwads, wagered some money (those of us who don’t make our goals are donating $50 to charity). By including others in your challenge, you’ll encourage each other, and, by putting some cash on the line, you’ll find yourself pretty darn motivated (trust me, LOL). Don’t want to lose your money? Make your goal. It’s as simple as that.

• Be consistent with healthy eating – You’ve heard this one before: eat well at every meal. What you may not have heard? Don’t obsess about it! You don’t need to count every calorie you consume. Be realistic, and be fair to your body (no one should go six months without chocolate). If you want a second helping every now and then, go for it. I personally try to eat well Monday-Friday and tell myself I can splurge on weekends. If I’m feeling a mid-week craving, I remind myself that I can have that bowl if ice cream on the weekend. By the time the weekend comes, I’m over the craving.

• Be consistent with working out – Let’s face it: gyms are expensive, and working out takes time, but you don’t hear those who flaunt their stuff in adorable summer dresses making excuses. There are tonnes of sites online with do-it-at-home workouts available (free workouts + no time spent traveling to the gym = no more excuses). Few of these workouts require any equipment at all. If you do need equipment, head to your local thrift store or used sporting goods store. Best yet, now that it’s warming up, you can get outside and enjoy Spring at the same time.

• Accept help – Not sure how to begin? Join a program with a high success rate, like NutriSystem. I actually have a lot of friends who’ve been thrilled with their results. I mention them now because we just began offering NutriSystem Canada coupons, so you can hold onto some cash while you drop those pounds. ;) Win/win!

• Change the little things – Changing your lifestyle little by little every day will mean big results when paired with delicious, healthy food and pump-you-up workouts. Here are some of the basics:

- Drink water instead of pop. Add lemon or cucumber for a bit of flavour.
– Drink water if you feel a bit hungry. We usually confuse thirst with hunger.
– Mustard over mayo!
– Take the stairs instead of the escalator & elevator or work up to it floor by floor.
– Walk for 20 minutes instead of driving or busing for 5.
– Bake, broil, steam & BBQ instead of fry.

If you’re ready to feel fabulous again, now’s the time to begin setting some goals and implementing those little changes. Dedicate yourself to the above suggestions for just two weeks and be proud of the difference it makes. Don’t get too hung up on numbers; go with how you look and feel.

Good luck, my fabulous (frugal) fitness friends! Let us know how you do. :)