Chris Spann works for moneysupermarket.com life insurance, where he blogs and opines on all matters life, insurance and health. He is a keep-fit nut (in that he tries to keep fit and is a nut), and can often be found traveling downhill at frightening velocity on a bike.
You know what feels really great?
Losing weight and getting fit.
Only trouble is, it can be pretty expensive to get fit – there’s a reason why they call it the diet industry! You can spend a fortune on different supplements, books, bars and weights, but the truth is you really don’t need to – and I know because I’ve done it.
Well, if I’m being honest, I’m doing it – I’ve probably still got 20 or 30lbs to lose, but I’ve lost 75lbs in the last few months and couldn’t be more excited about shifting the rest. While doing this I’ve also had to rebuild my life after a relationship falling apart left me homeless and without a scrap of furniture – so as you can imagine, money’s been tight!
So what have I done to keep afloat whilst doing my best to stop floating? (Fat floats, google it for proof). I’ll tell you.
First things first, I needed to work out how to lose weight without spending a huge amount of money. It’s very easy to spend huge amounts of money a month on the gym, special supplements, powders and shakes, but the reality of it is you really don’t need to do that. I was lucky enough to have access to an exercise bike in my new home (I was lucky), but you can often pick up perfectly good equipment at discount prices if you look hard enough. Keep an eye on noticeboards and classified ads in newspapers, work, supermarkets, community centres and the like – there’s always somebody whose aspirations of being the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, Usain Bolt or David Beckham didn’t quite work out and who’s getting rid of something you can use, be it a pushbike, treadmill or exercise bike – and quite often for free.
Even if you have to spend some money in order to get going, don’t forget that joining a gym can cost in excess of £40($62) a month – so spending a month or two’s worth of gym membership on a bike is actually a better move financially!
Of course, if you don’t have the cash or somewhere to store a bike, strider or other piece of equipment there are plenty of things you can do for virtually nothing: If you have steps in your home, you’ve got your own home-made stepper, and if you live in any built up area there are bound to be a set of stairs for you to re-enact that scene from Rocky – you don’t even need to get punched in the face.
What else can you do? Bags full of shopping make quite good weights if you want to do a few reps when you get in, and never discount the benefits to be gained from simply slapping a pair of trainers and going for a jog or walk – a few miles is a great way of clearing your mind and getting those endorphins flowing; there’s no better feeling than showering the aches away after a good solid run.
When it comes to diet, I found that simply trying to eat better can save you a huge amount of money. For example, my old breakfast (A sausage and bacon muffin) is more expensive than a bag of six apples which will last me for at least three days, and for the same price as a pre-prepared microwave meal you can purchase bags of frit and veg that will not only last you a lot longer but will also make you feel a lot better – and be a lot better for you!
One thing I have spent money on is joining a diet club – I know many people consider this an unnecessary expense, but the framework of the plan has really benefitted me, and as someone who has also quit smoking and drinking I think the £20-25 a month it costs me is a worthwhile expense. Not only do I have the plan, having a support group and meetings to aim for really helps me to stick to it – I’d recommend them wholeheartedly – especially as the one I go to gives out stickers for achievements (I am a child at heart).
There are also a number of other little savings you might make as part of a diet – for example now I’m riding my bike a lot more, I’m using less petrol (Those short journeys to the shops and back are the ones that really do a number on your fuel economy), and now that I’m not having to shop at “Big and tall” shops with their inflated prices I’m saving a bundle on looking great too!
Working in the field I do, I’m also well aware of another bonus as well: Comparing indicative life insurance quotes from before my diet and now, I stand to save a huge amount of money on life insurance premiums when it comes time for me to get myself some. In the industry you see a lot of reports and information showing you what a difference BMI, smoking and drinking can make to mortality rates, and believe me, getting in shape really does make a huge difference to your life – in many different ways.
Now I’m more confident, I’ve got a new girlfriend, I feel better about myself, I enjoy shopping for clothes again – the list is practically endless.
As you can probably imagine, people have asked me for advice and tips on losing weight, and I think this is the best advice I can offer:
Want to do it, and know you’re doing it for you. If you slip up don’t be disheartened, but always remain realistic. Don’t make up excuses that you know aren’t true to tell other people because you are only cheating yourself if you do so. At times it probably won’t be great fun, I admit – My first few weeks on the exercise bike were hellacious – but just think: You’re doing this for your own good; for a better you.
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For many Americans, life is tough. The state of our economy has left record numbers in the unemployment line and obesity is an ever-expanding epidemic. Somehow, our wallets and our waistlines seem to be moving on inversely proportional tracks.You know the benefits of being in top physical form. You’re more alert and energized and you don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of breaking into a sweat going up a single flight of stairs. But becoming financially fit will relieve stress and help you sleep at night, which can be equally fulfilling.
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