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Most homemakers find that juggling time and money takes up huge chunks of time, and they often have difficulty finding time to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Many would love to go to the gym to work out, but funds are just not available. Others search their loaded schedules searching for large blocks of time where they can incorporate a single hour of physical activity, only to discover that buying groceries, paying bills, cleaning house, and transporting the children leaves few unoccupied hours in the day.
Does this mean these moms are doomed to live in pudgy, unconditioned bodies until the children leave home? The answer is a resounding, “No!” A higher level of fitness can be achieved by taking small steps in short intervals, and losing weight does not have to be expensive.
Bargain Exercise Activities
All homemakers would love to have a fitness trainer, but very few can afford the luxury. The following tips are inexpensive and can help moms achieve the same results over time:
- Set realistic goals using an online estimated weight loss calculator to determine weekly targets.
- Check out exercise DVDs from the library and pop one in every morning. Work on completing the video throughout the day, pressing the pause button when chores beckon.
- Play with the children; physical play, such as jump rope, tag, hula-hoop, or skating, can burn calories while moms bond with their children.
- Play with the cleaning tools; make the mop or broom a dance partner or work on strengthening arms and shoulders doing lifts with the clothes basket.
- Form a walking club with friends; meet at a set time each day, bring strollers if necessary and enjoy a good visit while getting some vitamin D.
- Make weights of water bottles, large cans, or bean bags and lift while watching the news or waiting in the car line at school.
- Never take the easy way out; use a push mower instead of a riding mower and take the stairs rather than the elevator.
Cheaper Healthy Foods
While buying packaged meals may seem the most convenient way to balance the diet, it is also one of the most expensive. Consider these other methods of obtaining healthier meals without causing a budgetary crisis:
- Use a caloric burn rate calculator to estimate how many calories you burn each day, before drawing up your personal diet plan.
- Make several meatless meals each week. These might include cheese, nuts, or legumes for protein, and all of these can be bought in bulk.
- Frequent the local farmer’s market where in season fruit and vegetables are usually a great buy.
- Make low calorie mini-meals all at the same time in divided plates and freeze for grab and go meals and lunches that already have the calorie count figured.
- Keep temptation in check by eliminating unhealthy foods from the kitchen; Cookies, crackers, ice cream, and other unhealthy treats are some of the most expensive items in the grocery cart.
These ideas will make the path to a healthier body seem easier, but they are not magic. Discipline is still necessary to reach your goals, and patience is also vitally important. However, persistent effort will work!
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