How to Keep your Family Fit and Frugal at the Same Time

Guest Post by Brett

Nowadays, many families struggle with the balance between living a healthy life and saving money. Not all have the luxury of an expensive gym membership or the ability to buy pricey organic foods. Instead, parents often have to make do with the limited resources at hand. However, just because your family is on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t stay healthy at the same time. The following are several tips on how to keep your family both fit and frugal:

Pick the Right Exercises

Each member in your family will have their likes and dislikes when it comes to exercise and sports. However, there’s no need to invest in machines or expensive equipment in order to get a workout. Instead, look for activities such as running or swimming that can be done with little or no investment. Other alternatives are soccer or basketball, which require minimal equipment in order to get started. Finding low-cost, yet fun sports can be a great way to get your family moving about without spending too much.

Change How You Cook

Fitness is not just about exercise and moving around; the food you eat also plays a major role in staying healthy. While healthy cooking is a broad topic, there are a number of general tips to keep in mind when planning a meal for the family. Common tips include buying food in season, and only purchasing ingredients that you’ll need, not what you want. In addition, try to make meals for your family as often as you can, as this will cut down on costs and unwanted calories incurred from eating out.

Be Creative

When it comes to getting the entire family up and moving, you’ll need to devise a creative way to include both the adults and the kids. Instead of boring the children with walks or yoga sessions, look for activities that engage both parties. For example, swimming is a great activity that appeals to individuals of all ages. Not only are children able to play in the water, adults can also benefit from a challenging workout. Another way is to add fitness into a chore – by integrating physical activity into chores such as cleaning, you can save time while keeping your home clean and organized.

Adjust your Daily Habits

If you find yourself pressed for time to exercise, try to work around your busy schedule. There are several ways to add more activity to your day without breaking the bank. For example, park further away from your destination to encourage members to walk a further distance. Or opt for a walk in the park, instead of sitting on the couch and watching TV. Changing or adjusting your daily habits can be a great way to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, without investing too much money or time.

Go for Used

If your family is looking to try out a sport, one way to save money is to look for financially friendly options. Buying used or pre-owned equipment can be a smart way to avoid overstretching your budget. For example, if you’re looking for sporting supplies such as a bike or swim gear, then browsing sites such as Craigslist or yard sales can yield substantial savings. In short, there’s no need to strain your wallet with costly equipment, not when there are cheaper options available.

Brett Callan is a writer for Murray Callan Swim Schools, where their Vista swim lessons offer customized support for children throughout San Diego. He loves to enjoy the San Diego weather whenever he can, whether from the beach or at a pool.