Life is but a show, and each one of us is the sole star of our show. The alignment of our mind, body, and soul determines how well we perform our part. Most of the time, the monotony we delve into every day doesn’t allow us to exploit our potential.

Creating harmony between your mind, body, and soul can help you strike the perfect balance in life – you can achieve this by prioritising fitness over momentary pleasures. Staying fit can help you unleash your true potential because when the mind and spirit align, health blooms!

Unfortunately for some of us, fitness is more about extravagantly spending on ‘gramworthy’ outfits and expensive gym gear – which usually ends up collecting dust in the secluded corners of our homes, than actually working out.

Fitness is what you make of it – so why not make the best out of what you already have? Learn ten super tips for the thrifty fitness freak in you and sweat it out without burning your money. Did you know staying fit can help you save money? Read on to learn more!

Can staying fit save me money?

Being physically and mentally fit doesn’t have to be a luxury but a choice that you make every day. Not only does it invoke positivity, but it also helps you live a longer and fuller life. Sometimes all you need to get started is a little push – the fact that you can save money by staying fit works like a charm!

Here’s how staying fit can save you money in the longer run:

Reduces overall health risks: Working out is a natural mood booster. In the long run, it helps enhance your vitality, and short-term benefits include – uplifted mood, improved agility, healthier sleep patterns, which all lead to a longer and fuller life. Just 30 minutes of physical activity a day can help overcome many health risks.

Helps you relinquish bad habits: Giving up unhealthy habits is a part of every fitness plan. On average, a smoker, smoking around one pack a day, ends up spending around £3300 in a year on cigarettes alone. Plus, smoking poses a risk to your lungs and heart. Quitting will save you the expense of smoking as well as the potential health risks that follow.

Promotes healthy eating: When you’re motivated to stay healthy, you tend to cut down on junk. The average Brit spends about £20 a week on fast food consumption, which rounds off to approximately £1028 in a year. Imagine the things you could do with this money! Give up on junk; save up for fun!

Prevents weight fluctuations: If you have commitment issues with your fitness regimen and diet plan, then it’s possible that you’re usually in between sizes. When your older clothes don’t fit, you’re left with no choice but to invest in new ones. So, it is best to follow your daily fitness regime and stay in shape to avoid weight fluctuations as much as possible.

Helps you keep many diseases at bay: Fitness doesn’t always have to do with the caloric value of your food or the frequency of intake. Sometimes it’s all about implementing discipline and ensuring holistic well-being. Fitness is instrumental in boosting your immune response, and a healthy immune system helps keep diseases at bay. The less you fall sick, the fewer leaves you take. Plus, you won’t have to take those expensive consultations with your doctor. As they say, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor at bay.’

Burn calories, not money: 10 thrifty tips for fitness freaks

Fitness doesn’t have to be about splurging, and there’s a lot that you can do without being a spendthrift. Here are ten money-saving tips for the fitness freak in you:

Ditch the treadmill: A good run in the park is way more exhilarating than a cardio session indoors. If your treadmill is just collecting dust, sell it out and make use of natural facilities – your neighbourhood park.

Take advantage of free workout videos: Many applications provide free workout and diet plans, although for short (30-days) trial periods. Alternatively, you could stream workout videos on YouTube and take inspiration to create a customised regime for yourself.

Buy a used bike: If you can spare a little from your budget, you could invest in a used bike. A used bike would cost you around one-third of the original price. Not only will this perk up your glutes, but it’ll also save you the money you would have otherwise spent on gas.

Try bodyweight workouts: The internet is full of free videos that teach you how to use your body weight to trim down. Bodyweight exercises are usually easy to follow and don’t require additional weights, which is a win-win.

Walk wherever you can: If you’re unable to make some room in your budget for a bike, you could walk to places instead. Walking will help you improve your heart health and boost stamina. Plus, you’ll get to cut back on transportation costs.

Make your weights: If you’re too strapped for cash, you can make your weights at home by filling used plastic bottles or old clothes with sand or pebbles.

Use free sports facilities: Make use of free sports facilities like trim trails or community sports centres. Trim trails are free outdoor gyms with basic exercise equipment, usually present in parks.

Get a pull-up bar: Strengthen your back, shoulders, and biceps with a pull-up bar. Pull-up bars are the easiest and most cost-effective way to train your upper body. You can get a pull-up bar for under £20. Work away!

Control your stimuli: Exercising will only be helpful if you control your dietary intake – primarily, junk food. In order to bring your weight-loss plan to fruition, it is crucial to curb your nibbling tendencies. When you go grocery shopping, purposely avoid buying unhealthy snacks or place your snack bowl as far away from you as possible. This could help you significantly cut down on nibbling. Plus, you won’t have to spend unnecessarily on snacks. Don’t work out in vain; make each step count.

Barter with friends/family: You could barter something you’re skilled at with a friend or family member who knows a few kicks and tricks in the art of weight loss.

Conclusion

Whether you’re saving money, losing weight, or doing both simultaneously, you will have to be perseverant and patient. Such activities are not about instant gratification but a better life over time – so don’t lose hope or set unrealistic expectations.

With dedication and consistency, no goal is unattainable. Understanding the long-term benefits of staying fit and being financially resilient is a great way to stay motivated.