Cheap Workouts

There are millions of different activities one can do for a workout.  The most popular people think of is the gym.  Gym memberships can be expensive!  So what do you do?

I personally dislike the gym.  I might use one if I'm staying at a hotel while on vacation or if I choose to use the guest pass on my mom's gym membership.  I still would rather not go.  I like working out at home or outside.  I also like to take classes. 

How do I work out on the cheap?

1. 

 

I take advantage of the bike paths along the lake to walk (and eventually run)

 

 

2. 

 

I've accumulated a collection of workout DVDs.  Some I bought, but most I got as gifts or from my mom's coworker who no longer wanted them. Ask family and friends if they have any DVDs they might not use or like and ask if you can try it.  Maybe set up a workout DVD swap.  It would be like a book exchange.  Let a friend borrow a DVD of yours that they'd like to try and you borrow one of theirs at the same time.  After a specific period of time, swap back.

 

 

3. 

 

Pinterest!   If you have a Pinterest account, I'm sure you've started a board that holds all the workouts you dream of doing.  I say dream because when you pin it, you have a plan of actually doing it, but never get around to it.  I know because I've been there.  It's a great way to get free workout ideas and plans.  You can even find ones that use your body weight so there's no reason to spend money on weights.  If you have some exercise equipment at home, look up workouts for that equipment.  Utilize what you have.

 

 

4.  When new gyms open, a lot of times they have deals that they send out in the mail.  I just got one for a new gym.  It would be $12 a month.  I don't know for how long, but it's an option if you prefer to workout in a gym. 

 

5.  Look to see if there's any free classes or workouts in your area.  Many dance studios will have a free class or a free week for new students.  If you decide you cannot afford the classes, don't register.  There's a dance studio I'd love to attend.  However, I cannot afford to go.  I plan to apply for their work study program.  I'd have to work eight hours a week in their office, but in exchange I'd get unlimited classes. 

 

I live in Chicago.  They hold free workouts in the park and a dancing in the park festival during the summer.  It's a free workout and you can have some fun.  Check out some clubs, like a salsa club.  Some have dance studios come in to teach you moves.  If you get on the email list for that studio, they'll send you promotion texts/emails for specific days at the clubs they'll be teaching at, which  can get you in for $5 if you show the text/email by a certain time. 

 

6.  Find a friend to work out with.  Even if it's virtually.  Check in with that friend when you're frustrated, need motivation, when you completed your workout and when you accomplished a new feat.  It helps keep you on track. 

 

7.  Cleaning.  Yes, cleaning!  Every time you clean something - vacuum, wash dishes - it burns calories.  This is in no way a substitute for a workout.  However, it adds extra calorie burn to your day.  It is also how I make sure to keep my apartment clean on days when all I want to do is sit and watch a movie.

 

There is my list of how I keep my workouts free or cheap.  Instead of spending money on a gym membership, I would personally save it to take a dance class and for the new clothes I'll need when I lose weight.  I am determined to get in the best shape of my life.  By the time I do, it'll be a habit and I'll be able to live my life to the fullest without thinking too much about diet and exercise.

 

"Keep Moving Forward"



Motivating Thought of the Day

Motivating Thought

My biggest excuse last winter was that it was too cold to go running.  I would do fitness DVDs and other exercises at home.  However, my biggest motivation is going outside to walk or run.  It acts as a meditation for me.  I find it relaxing.  It's also motivating to see experienced runners or parents running with strollers.  I have a life goal to be able to run so when I have kids in the future I can become one of the running parents.  It's empowering.

My excuse was the cold.  This year I'm going to make sure to buy thermal workout pants.  I'm always warm everywhere except my legs.  If I have the right pants, I have no excuse. 

It's summer!  Why am I talking about winter?  Because I still haven't officially started running.  I started about two years ago and was able to jog for half a mile.  Then I used the cold as an excuse and stopped. 

I've been walking and picking up speed in order to build up to running.  I'm at the point where I need to switch.  So why haven't I started?

I'm scared!

That's right.  I'm scared to run.  I want to more than anything.  It's time to drop excuses and face my fears.  Friday morning when I head out for my walk on the bike path, I will run instead.  It won't even have to be long.  As long as I can, walk, and then try again.  Eventually I will be able to run without stopping.

I even joined a running group.  They have various meetings practically everyday hosted by different members.  I need a push in the right direction.  I'd like to meet other runners who will motivate me to keep going when I feel like I cannot go another step.  Conquering this fear will help me conquer others.

Pick a fear and conquer it!  Big or small, go after it with everything you have!  Be brave!

"Keep Moving Forward"

Going Vegan Checklist

I am slowly going vegan.  I don't want to rush it.  I want to make sure I do it right and don't feel like I'm on a diet.  It's a lifestyle change.  I'm changing habits.  A habit can be made in 21 days.  I need to make sure that I get all the nutrients I need in my diet, either with food (natural ingredients and supplemented food) or with supplements.  I try to get the majority of nutrients needed from food.  Ingesting a million pills every morning is exhausting.  Try to figure out how to lessen the amount with food.

How am I going vegan?  Well, here's my checklist!

1.  Eliminate soda

     - I gave up soda about three to four months ago.  That wasn't too difficult to give up.  Except for ginger ale, soda has always made me feel sick after drinking it.

2.  Eliminate meat

     - This was more difficult.  I grew up eating meat.  I loved chicken, turkey, lamb...you name it (except hot dogs, gross!).  Chicken was the last meat I had difficulty giving up.  I'd go a couple weeks without eating it and then I'd crave it.  I think I need to make sure I'm getting enough protein, vitamin B12, iron, and other nutrients I could be lacking. 

3.  Eliminate artificial sweeteners and reduce sugar intake

     - Right now I'm focusing on eliminating corn syrup (if you're wondering why, check out my previous post called Corn Syrup: Friend or Foe).  I will focus on other artificial sweeteners afterward.  After I eliminate all artificial sweeteners, my sugar intake will dramatically be reduced.

4.  Eliminate eggs, including in baked goods

     - I added "including baked goods" because that's the only egg I need to focus on eliminating.  I stopped eating eggs when I gave up soda.

5.  Eliminate dairy products

     - I have never been a fan of milk.  So switching to soy/almond/dairy-free milk was not a problem for me.  It's more making sure it's not in something I'm eating.  I discovered Earth Balance vegan butter during college.  I've been a fan for years.  That was another easy switch.  My problem is giving up ice cream/frozen yogurt and cheese.  However, now that I've tried vegan ice cream, I don't want to go back to dairy ice cream.  I am currently working at a frozen yogurt store, so I need to figure out how to do my job without eating the product.  I've been working there for nearly a year.  It's getting easier to say no since I've already tasted majority of the flavors.  I still need to look into Daiya cheese products.

6.  Eliminate processed foods

     - I put this last because it would be a clean up.  Double checking products and eliminating any last odds and ends.  There are some vegan processed foods that I like to eat when I'm in a pinch.  Otherwise, I'd recommend eating fresh, unprocessed plant-based food.

There's my checklist.  This is how I'm doing it.  As you can see, I'm not there yet.  I'm focusing on little things at a time.  I predict that I will be 100% vegan by my 25 birthday on Halloween.

Do one thing at a time.  Even if you don't want to go full vegan but want to choose a healthier lifestyle, choose one thing to eliminate or change.  It will make a huge difference.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Debt

It's no secret that our country is in debt.  Illinois is one of the top states in debt.  Even though we are in debt, I'm always shocked at how much construction is being done on a daily basis to make Chicago look nicer.  They fix the streets and buildings.  So much money goes into this.  Why not use that money to pay off some of the debt?  I don't understand it.

On top of states and our country being in debt, many individuals and families are in debt as well.  It's not a secret either that a good portion of citizens in the U.S. are unemployed.  I have many friends who are on major job hunts, either because they were let go from a job or simply because they need money.  I was in the same position a couple weeks ago.

I had one part time job.  I say part time because the company I work for only gives its employees a maximum of four days a week and I normally get a maximum of three days...it varies (last week I only had two days and this week I have four).  I was on a job hunt and lucked out in getting a second part time job.  This will just cover my bills with some savings.  However, it will not help me to start paying off my college loans in November.  I was hoping to avoid deferring them again.

Even though I do not like/support the company, McDonald's conducted a study about their employees that puts a spotlight on our current situation.  Even the full time employees being paid minimum wage cannot support themselves with that one full time job.  Our economy is getting so bad that even if you have a full time job, you will need a second job just to pay your bills.

Entry level jobs are also getting increasingly sparse.  Nowadays, majority of jobs require you to have some college or a college degree or experience.  When I was applying to jobs, I got extremely frustrated when I saw the words "experience required."  All my experience is with an office or food environment.  I tried to get a job outside of food.  But most of the jobs I wanted asked for experienced workers.  Well why can't you give me a chance so I can get that experience?  How are you supposed to gain experience without an opportunity?  You can't. 

Like most Americans, my debt isn't getting any lower.  Since I got my second job, I have been able to halt any more debt accumulating.  I know I am luckier than most since I only have one credit card to pay off (I refuse to get a second one since I hate credit cards) and my college loans.  Altogether I have about $26,000 of debt.  If your debt is less than that, even $0, you're luckier than me!  And most of my friends.  I have a friend from college who went on to grad school.  She now owes $93k!  I cannot imagine having that much to pay off.  She can luckily already pay monthly to start decreasing that number.  However, that means she's paying $800 a month!  That's my rent!  I have other friends who are in the same boat as me and cannot start paying them off yet.

Luckily, I can start decreasing my credit card debt.  I keep my credit card at home.  I never use it if I can help it.  I only use it when I really need to and I don't have the money in my account.  When I say need, I mean toilet paper or toothpaste...necessities.  I'm waiting to get my first paycheck from my new job to figure out a budget.  But I'm hoping that I will get enough to pay off more than the minimum on my credit card each month.  During college, I paid off my credit card every month.  I didn't really use it until after graduation and it became a necessity.  It's interesting how much changes in a short period of time.

My favorite blog, www.blissfulanddomestic.com, gives wonderful frugal tips.  The blogger, Danielle, has a family of four (her, her husband and two kids).  They are currently debt free and live on $14,000 a year!  They eat all homemade and she even makes some clothes.  If they eat out, go shopping, or do anything, it is budgeted.  She meal plans for an entire month and then goes grocery shopping at the beginning of the month (yes, only once a month!).  I'm slowly trying to adopt her tips.

After I see what I will be making at my second job, I'll be able to figure out my income.  That will help me budget.  I already have my set bills (rent, internet, utilities, Netflix, credit card, and public transportation card).  After that, I need to see what I have left to work with every month and see where I can decrease costs.  I will post a detailed entry about budget and another about being frugal while grocery shopping.

Remember to keep calm, breathe and focus on a little bit at a time.  I'm only focusing on paying off the minimum every month for my credit card.  I pay extra when I can.  Just focus on one thing you can change to decrease your debt.  If you are debt-free (lucky!), what can you change to save more money?  Think of something you might want to do with that money - go on vacation, take a dance class, go back to school, go skydiving - and print a picture you can put where you would most likely see it everyday.  That way you will have a visual of what you want.  Then when you have the money, you can go ahead and do it! 

Make sure to stay calm and breathe when it comes to money.  And breath again.  It'll get better.

"Keep Moving Forward"

Shout out to my dad

Both my parents have been so great about me switching to a vegan diet.  They both are showing their support.  I'll get emails from both of them with websites for meal plans/recipes or asking about products.  I couldn't thank them enough for being so amazing.  Thank you mom and dad!

My dad emailed me last week asking me about Kind bars.  As I told him, I'm a bit obsessed.  I just can't afford to buy them.  I buy them when I'm in a hurry and want a snack.  I could usually find them in Starbucks or some convenient stores.  They are 100% vegan (except, according to some people, for the ones with honey, which I personally ignore.  I think honey is fine, but I don't eat it enough to really pay much attention anyway.  It's a hot topic in the vegan community.  If I buy honey it's once a year at a farm when I go pumpkin picking.  That's a topic for another time).  Yesterday I came home to a box with two cases of Kind bars from my dad.

My favorite is the Cranberry Almond bar.  I just love the flavor.

 

I have been wanting to try the Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew ones for a while.

 

 

These are the two cases I received.  I've already tried the Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew and it's fantastic!  I recommend both of these or any Kind bar.

Thank you dad for the bars!

"Keep Moving Forward"

Corn Syrup: Friend or Foe

I've had many conversations with my mom about corn syrup.  Even if they don't last long, the conversation is always the same.  I've watched many documentaries about eating a vegan diet.  All of them say the same thing: corn syrup is bad for your health and is not vegan.

Why?  That's what many people ask and what my mom always asks.  If corn syrup is made from corn, why is it not vegan?

Now I could never remember the reasoning behind it.  I know that it has something to do with how it's made.  The whole point of eating a vegan diet is to eat as naturally as possible with very little processed foods.  The more natural the food is, the more it will naturally heal/restore your body.

I did some research to find the answers.  The best article I found was written by Michael Pollan.

http://michaelpollan.com/articles-archive/when-a-crop-becomes-king/

Corn has become the king of all crops.  It costs over $3 for farmers to grow but it sells for $2.  The government pays billions of dollars every year to make sure farmers continue to grow more.  There is always excess corn on top of what the government makes farmers grow.  The companies that buy the excess corn are profiting from the excess growth, not the farmers.  This type of agriculture is bankrupting them.  The excess is used to make corn syrup, cereals, snack foods, soda and to feed animals that are used for food (beef, chicken, pigs).  Corn syrup has replaced sugar in foods.  The corn fed to animals is harmful to them and makes them grow faster.  Since the corn is harmful to the animals, they are also injected with antibiotics which can remain in the meat you eat. 

We also make sure that the corn is not harmed in any way by the environment.  So trees are cleared and tons of pesticides are sprayed to make sure the corn continues to grow.  The corn is hurting our environment and our animals.

Since there is an excess in corn production, what happens to it?  Majority of it gets turned invisible into corn syrup and put into products we eat.  Corn syrup is believed to contribute to the obesity epidemic and type 2 diabetes.

Read Michael Pollan's article for more detailed information.

I made a decision to go vegan for my health and to eat more naturally.  I also try to be conscious of the environment and to be green.  It's my decision.  You have to make your own decision.

"Keep Moving Forward"