The reoccurring theme every year is how to get in shape for your rockin' summer body. Suddenly juice cleanses taste better than burgers and tanning salon sales sky rocket. The temptation that comes along with sunshine and bikinis correlates with endless hours slaving at the gym and LOTS of kale salads. As appealing as that may sound, our credit cards definitely disagree. Here are a few of my hacks to maintain a healthy lifestyle without breaking the bank.
1. Ditch The Membership For The Sand
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If you're fortunate enough to live in a beautiful place such as San Diego the world will become your gym. Instead of spending $30/month on a below par gym membership, opt for beach runs/walks that I can promise you'll enjoy more than a treadmill. If cardio isn't your thing find a quieter spot on the beach to get in a quick HIIT workout! Don't think I forgot about weights either - use bottles of wine for that extra push. Disclaimer: working out with wine will likely end up in a post workout celebration.
2. Sign Up For Discounted Food Subscriptions
If you have a brand of peanut butter you've been dying to try, pop on over to their website before spending your entire pay check at Whole Foods (Guilty). For most websites, when you sign up for the first time you'll get some sort of discount as a new member! As well as discounted online stores such as https://thrivemarket.com. You'll get a discount just for signing up and their food is already discounted! Search for your favorite brands to get more bang for your buck. Amazon also sells TONS, if not all of the health food brands that I eat for lower prices that retail. Plus side: you won't even have to step food in over crowded grocery stores.
3. Go Frozen
Make the frozen aisle your bitch, or your best friend... whatever you prefer. Buying frozen vegetables & fruit will save you tons of money and prevent anything from going to waste. Another benefit is that frozen foods usually come in bigger bags which will last you longer resulting in fewer stops into the grocery store. Trader Joes carries a large selection of frozen patties such as veggies burgers that are a quick and healthy meal to avoid eating out every day. Pro Tip: Frozen fruit makes for thicker smoothies & can second as ice cream!
4. Preparation is Key
Meal prepping is the best way to keep your bank account and tummy happy. It's also not as complicated as it appears either. Find a simple recipe to follow and you'll never go back! Something as simple grilled chicken, veggies, & brown rice will do perfectly. No more grabbing for those chips while waiting for your food to be done cooking; start meal prepping so you can grab & go no matter your schedule.
5. Get Motion Picture Motivated
Getting yourself off the couch and to the gym is a task within itself. Then once you get there, you suddenly have no idea what workout you want to do. Make it easier on yourself by following trainers & fitness gurus on social media. Not only will they post videos of their daily workouts that you can follow, your feed will be filled with inspiration to stick to your goals. Even better, this requires no gym membership, so roll out your yoga mat & get squatin' right in your living room. Some of my favorite workouts are from @KaylaItsines and @ToneItUp. They both have blogs with videos/free workouts that you can refer to when you're lost.
Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Challenge yourself to try something new! Plenty of studios and gyms have free day/week trials for you to give their fitness center a chance above the rest. Take advantage of these opportunities in order to get your daily sweat in! Who knows, you might even find a workout that you love which is always something to look forward to. Interested in stretching it out a bit? CorePower Yoga has a free week trial with amazing classes & studios all over the nation.
