Notes From The Frugal Trenches – A Downshifting Journey

I’ve already written about my feeling that we as humans are going backwards instead of forwards, in respect to working all hours so we can buy instead of enjoying life. The same could be said about our falling for advertising: companies tell us we need things, these supposed things create clutter in our homes put pressure on our finances and make us yet again work more hours. A perfect example of this is the weight loss industry. They tell us we need certain shakes and potions or special foods, but actually all they are doing is reducing our calories….we fall for this trap in so many ways. So, here are some frugal ways to drop a dress size or two while keeping your money in your own wallet. I should say, these are what has worked for me, you should certainly consult a Dr before you begin your own weight loss journey!

1. Start walking – every day – begin with taking a 20 minute walk, this will start getting your mind ready to embrace exercise.

2. Once you’ve been walking for a week, think about what other exercise you enjoy. If you don’t like the traditional gym, it may be unrealistic to think you’ll go to the gym 5 days a week. If you like swimming, try to find two times a week you can fit swimming into your schedule. If you like exercise classes, try to find two a week you can join. Or, if you’re simply enjoying walking for a very frugal weight loss plan see if you can walk an hour a night. Remember if you want to swim or go to an exercise class look to your local pools or community centres instead of expensive gyms!

3. Unless you need them for medical reasons drop soda/fizzy drinks and juices! Replace them with water!

4. Have a glass of water before each meal

5. Plan 3 meals and snacks for each day- getting rid of high fat and sugary snacks and instead replacing them with fruit, cut up veggies with dip etc.

6. Keep the fruit you like well stocked in your fridge! When you’re hungry you’ll enjoy a bunch of grapes instead of a muffin!

7. Keep a couple of Tupperware containers filled with cut up veggies in your fridge – like the fruit, it will fill you when you’re hungry. I find cut up carrot sticks, celery, small cherry tomatoes are all good options!

8. Plan simple yummy meals like a baked potato with salad, soups, fish etc

9. Get a weight loss buddy – if you live near enough walk together in the evening, if you work together go for a walk @ lunch, or simply email each other for support.

10. Instead of paying money to be weighed each week, weight yourself @ home and record it. You could even go and see your Dr or practice nurse to be weighed once a month, many medical practices offer this support service.

11. Find excuses to walk. Instead of getting the bus closest to you, walk to the next stop.

12. Bring your lunch to work – often restaurant food is higher in fat and calories – bringing lunch and snacks to work keeps you full, eating healthy food and saves the pounds!

13. Keep a food diary, you’ll soon see where you’re going wrong and how those “treats” add up! Update, just read on Escape Brooklyn, there is a new study showing keeping a food diary doubles your weight loss

14. Have realistic expectations -don’t expect quick results. Many of the “weight loss” potions we buy may give us a quick weight loss, but studies have shown many of these diets don’t work once you eat normally! It takes time for weight to go on and it will take time for it to come off!

I’m not a Dr, so please consult your own before beginning a diet aka healthy eating plan. Their support, if you live in this country, is free!