advice on the first step

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-13-2006
advice on the first step
4
Wed, 12-13-2006 - 9:20pm
Hello I am new to this board. I need advice and maybe some help. I really really want to lose weight and get healthy but to be honest I have no clue where to start. I am on a limited budget so joing a gym is out of the question. I have a litmited income so I am trying to figure out how to change my buying habits without my cost going up to high. I am open for any suggestion that anyone has.
Thank you again
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 10:49am

Welcome to the board! It is hard to know where to start when beginning a fitness routine, and sometimes it seems like all the options are either unreasonable or cost wayyyyy too much.


I would say that the first step should be to sign up for an account (free, by the way) at www.fitday.com. There you can track your food and see where you are taking in your calories. Then you can start by making small modifications. Try cutting back on pre-prepared food if possible as there are often high fat content and high sodium content. You also end up paying more becuase it is deemed a convenience food. Make sure you add water to your diet! You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day (or at least 64 ounces). Water is free, and good for your skin and the rest of your body!


As for exercise, walking is a great and inexpensive way to get started! You can also check out exercise videos or DVD's at your local library. You can try them out and see which one's you like!


Of course coming here for information and support is also a great way to help you on your road to fitness too (of course, I'm probably a bit biased here, LOL). The women are wonderful and supportive and always have great ideas!


I'm going to post a link to an article that appeared in our newspaper a while ago on frugal fitness tips too:

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-fbfitthirty/?msg=10556.1

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 11:00am

Nice to meet you!


I can relate to your


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 11:11am

{Short on time at the moment....but}


WELCOME TO THE 30'S BOARD

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2006
Sun, 12-17-2006 - 10:50pm

I have found walking to be a good way to lose weight. If you have a school near by that has a track would be good. If not, around the neighborhood or mall can be good too. A public swimming pool can be good too. Usually for a few dollars you can use the pool for a few hours.

As far as food goes, if you are willing to make the food yourself it's easier than you think. I make my own 'fruit water' by watering down a kool-aid packet in a pitcher of water and adding some splenda to it...or you can just leave it plain without artificial sweetener. Much cheaper than those bottled fruit waters! I also make a health smoothie out of oatmeal, low fat milk, banana, molasses, brown sugar (just a tablespoon) and some bread yeast (just a teaspoon). Sounds gross but it's really good and the yeast adds b vitamins and a fizzy taste. Recipes using beans, rice, oatmeal, and spaghetti noodles, are filling, low calorie, and cheaper. You can also buy things in bulk to cut down on price. Studies have shown that people who stick to eating the same things over and over usually lose and keep weight off better than people who eat too big of a variety of food. I just read that study a few times but forgot where! So maybe it's a matter of finding a few low calorie, low cost recipe's that you really like and fixing them over and over. Freezing left overs is always good too, especially if you are really big into convenience food.