Lila Life is committed to growing our technology offerings and expanding our physical spaces to serve more people, while also hosting conscious collaborations and events. Read more informative articles today!
6 Budget-Friendly Health & Fitness Tips for Busy People
Staying healthy and fit can feel like a challenge (if not impossible), especially when you’re busy with work, have limited resources, or are constantly moving. Nonetheless, there are some easy and budget-friendly ways to maintain your wellness goals no matter what your schedule looks like. Lila Life has six to get you started!
1. Prioritize Health and Fitness When Traveling
It’s perhaps never harder to stay on top of your health and fitness routine than when you’re traveling for business. To make it easier, try packing lightweight items like resistance bands and jump ropes in your suitcase. That way, you’ll always have a way to exercise while away from home.
Additionally, packing feeling snacks like nuts, or dried fruit can help keep you full and energized throughout the day without breaking the bank. You’ll also want to take time to research accommodations that provide fitness facilities so that it’s convenient to work out. And consider walking or renting a bicycle to get to and from your meetings. If you’re staying in a particularly walkable area, make that a priority and walk whenever possible. It’s good exercise, gets you some Vitamin D for mental health, and saves you money on gas or public transportation!
2. Create a Home Gym
If going to the gym isn’t an option due to time or money constraints, don’t worry — you can still create an effective workout space at home. You only need a few pieces of basic equipment, such as dumbbells or kettlebells, a yoga mat, and an exercise ball.
You can also find plenty of free online workout videos that will help guide you through exercises that require minimal equipment, like bodyweight exercises or HIIT workouts. And the best part? All these items are relatively inexpensive compared to costly gym memberships!
3. Learn To Plan Meals
Meal planning is key when it comes to staying healthy on a budget. By spending time to plan out meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in advance — along with snacks, if needed — you save yourself time during the week while ensuring that all your meals are nutritious yet affordable. Taking advantage of grocery store sales is another excellent way to stick within your budget while still stocking up on nutritious staples like greens, legumes, and fresh produce.
Learn what’s in your favorite coffee or espresso drink and learn to make it at home. For instance, making an Americano or cappuccino at home isn’t that hard if you have a simple espresso machine. Plus, you can control the type of milk (whole, 2% nonfat, soy, almond. etc.) for dietary and health reasons. So in the end, you can save money and time waiting in line, and make a more healthful caffeine choice in the mornings.
4. Exercise Outside More Often
Getting outside is not only good for our mental health; Miracle Recreation points out that it’s crucial for our physical health too. Outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and running are free. They simply require effort! If possible, try finding a buddy who also wants to get active outdoors so that both of you can motivate each other; after all, two heads (or legs!) are better than one!
If you’re just starting out on a fitness routine, it’s best to consult with your doctor first, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions. If you haven’t taken this step because you don’t have health insurance, now is the time to make a change. Oftentimes freelancers and the self employed avoid carrying insurance because of the high rates. Fortunately, the Affordable Care Act prompted states to start their own budget-friendly options for lower-income individuals. Check out the options in your state and apply!
5. Stay Hydrated
No matter what sort of activity we do, it’s essential to stay hydrated. Hydralyte notes that drinking water has countless benefits, from improving energy levels to aiding digestion. Make sure it’s something that becomes part of your daily routine!
Depending on where you live, tap water may not be safe enough for consumption, so you might want to invest in reusable bottles with filters. These bottles can prove well worth it in terms of both money saved from buying plastic bottles of water and also helping out the environment.
6. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Every balanced diet contains plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fresh produce is not only delicious, but it also provides us with vital vitamins and minerals that keep us strong and healthy. Even simple things like adding spinach to an omelet before work or having berries as part of breakfast mean that you’re getting nutrients into your diet without draining your bank account.
Start Creating Healthier Habits
Making healthy choices doesn’t have to mean sacrificing time or money. There are plenty of budget-friendly options out there that will help keep your health game strong regardless of how busy life gets! Keep the tips above in mind as you seek to improve your health and well-being, and don’t get discouraged if you find it more difficult than you anticipated to establish new habits. Start by making small strides, and you’ll naturally become motivated to fine-tune your routine along the way!
Photo Credit: Viktoria Alipatova via Pexels