6 frugalista fitness tips

You don't have to spend loads of cash to lose a little (or a lot) of weight. If you can't afford luxurious perks like personal training sessions or high-end, diet-conscious packaged meals, don't fret. Our low-cost, easy and effective diet-and-fitness tips will have you shedding weight while trimming your household budget at the same time.

1. Join the YMCA
Why pay $50 per month per adult gym membership, plus another $100 per month on private gymnastics and swim classes per child, when one $120/month family YMCA membership will snag the grown ups unlimited use of equipment, lap pools and many classes – plus as many classes as you can overschedule (just kidding) your kids into?

Money saved per month: A family of four fitness buffs can save $280 per month by hitting the YMCA.

2. Walk, bike or blade to work
Cut the number of fill-ups you need each month by using your own steam – and burning your own calories. If a car is essential for getting your kids to school and daycare on time each morning, consider splitting drop-off duties with your spouse or a neighbour so you can walk, bike or blade to work at least half of the time.

Money saved per month: The cost of getting and keeping a standard midsize car on the road in Canada averages about $6,200 per year (and can go as high as $9,000 if you drive over 18,000 km per year), so if you can cut one vehicle from a two-car household, you’ll save hundreds of dollars each month.

And just walking, biking or blading to the office one day per week can save you $40 per month in parking – almost $500 per year.

3. Shop the outside aisles
The outside perimeters of the supermarket are where you can find the most nutritious, fresh, and frequently, least marked-up grocery items like dairy, bread, meats, seafood, and produce. It's easier to control the fat, sodium and calories in from-scratch dishes rather than the convenience foods shelved in the middle shelves of the supermarket, so focus on the outside aisles. Your pocketbook and waistline will both thank you.

Money saved per month: Savings depend on the size of your family and the type of foods you favour. But anytime you buy whole foods rather than processed foods, you're paying less per meal because you're not paying a premium for processing and extra packaging.

Page 1 of 2 – more frugalista fitness tips on page 2!