Creating an Affordable Fitness Planby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 08 Feb 2009 07:23 AM Many people think that fitness plans must feature frequent trips to the gym or a major investment in expensive exercise equipment in order for them to be successful. The truth is you can get all the benefits of calorie-burning exercises without stepping foot into a fancy fitness center. The key is to be creative when designing an exercise plan. Here are some ways you can shed pounds without going broke: Make a commitment to losing weight and stick with it--no matter how tired you might be. Self-perseverance is priceless and doesn't cost a penny. Ditch your vehicle and walk, cycle, jog, or skate to work, school, or the store. Or, try to get some walking in during your lunch hour. Find a park near your office or simply stroll several blocks away from your place of work and back again. Always opt for the stairs instead of the elevator, moving sidewalk or escalator. Don't "veg out" in front of the TV. Rather, walk on a treadmill, ride a stationary bicycle or use a stair climber while you are watching your favorite shows. Work outside. Take up gardening or do some inexpensive home repairs. You can burn 150-300 calories in 30 minutes just by raking leaves. Recruit family and friends to help you stay on track. Workout partners can help motivate you to move on days when you rather hide under the covers. Another tip: Make exercise a family affair. Go biking or hiking with the entire clan so everyone in the house benefits from the fitness break. Include pets in your fitness routine. Whether you schedule a daily walk with Rufus or play Frisbee three times a week with Scruffy, pets make for excellent fitness partners. Not only are they always willing to tag-along, they often push you beyond what you thought you were capable of. Related Articles: More Tips on Staying Fit During the Winter How to Make Workouts a Priority During the Winter How Often Do You Use Your Home Gym? Bad Things Happen When You Stop Going to the Gym Staying Ahead of Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantfitness tags ideas | Kids | weight loss | family | children | holidays | Food | relationships | parenting | pregnancy User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags fitness, fitness tips, walking Discuss this article
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More fitness tagsideas | Kids | weight loss | family | children | holidays | Food | relationships | parenting | pregnancy |
