Fit For Free

After years of spending money on a gym membership, workout equipment, fitness apps, and special diet food, I've found that some of the best and healthiest actions to further my health are already available - for free! This is not to say that I've abandoned all the monetary investments I regularly make for my health. If I can afford a healthier food option, I will usually buy it. I regularly speak with a health coach and I've found that FitBit premium has given me many tools that are helpful in my success. However, the majority of my fitness program relies on free and cheap resources.

Though most advertisements are quick to highlight how their paid subscription program provides you with the best workout plan, most fitness journeys do not have to start with a highly-tailored plan.

Free: Try a short workout video on YouTube. These are great because you can easily build your own plan. For instance, if your trouble area is arms, you can use the same video multiple times a week or add variety with a new one from time to time. You might also try a dance workout. If regular workout videos bore or fail to motivate you, exercising with dance moves can ensure you have fun! And if you already have a pile of games in your basement that includes titles such as Just Dance (XBox) or Wii Fit U (Nintendo), you've already got some great tools to start with!

Fitness is a journey - so why walk in a place on a treadmill when you could get outside and explore? Some of my favorite memories this past year were made outdoors hiking, running, and swimming.

Free: It doesn't cost to step outside and explore - well, maybe a few calories, but that's a good thing! Have you discovered all the local parks in your area? If you already have travel plans, take some time to visit outdoor attractions such as trails, waterfalls, and beaches along the way. A ten- to fifteen-minute detour costs next to nothing and will add an element to your trip that restaurants, football games, and amusement parks simply don't offer. And if you have a fitness tracker (it can even be a free app on your phone) you can challenge yourself to meet a goal.

Diet is an important part of any fitness journey. It's easy to get carried away in the grocery store grabbing specialty foods tailored for this or that specific diet. But dieting done right can actually save you money.

Free: One of the simplest eating plans I've tried has been counting calories. I prefer this method, as it still allows me to eat the foods I love - I just have to budget for it. So, if I have ice cream with friends planned for later in the day, I eat a mostly vegetable lunch to plan ahead. And best of all, a variety of different calorie trackers can be found for free in the app store.

Whatever your fitness goals for this year are, free steps like these will help you get there faster - without spending a dime!