“What if I can’t afford to eat healthy?” – is something I often hear. In today’s economy it is something that is becoming more and more of a concern for people. I am here to show you how to get started. Fed is better than dead.
Start with the basics.
Being healthy starts from the inside out. But how do you do that when you are on a very tight budget and can barely make rent?
You start with where you are. You may not have the money to buy all your meat and produce organically. Start with what you can afford. Fed is better than dead.
I cant’ afford a healthy lifestyle is often thought because in order to be healthy and to lose weight you have to shop at a specialty store or you have to cut out everything in a box. I am going to show you how to get started.
You may be on a dollar store budget. Everyone reading this article has been there – so take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. When I had my first apartment I survived on Dinty More Beef Stew, Cup-O-Noodles, and Lean Cuisines – so trust me when I tell you, there is no place for judgement here.
First Step. Circulars and Coupons
You have a smart phone. There are free apps that you can get to help you coupon (see the recent article by Ramseysolutions.com). Now before anyone comes for me for telling people it is OK to eat processed foods – fed is better than dead.
Grocery stores and even the dollar store have circulars. USE THESE TOOLS! Some stores, such as HEB here in the Lone Star State, have meal deals where you buy something and get other items to make the whole meal for free. Kroger does this too.
That one meal will feed you for a few days.
Often times the stores have their own coupons. Stocking up on those items can help you as well.
I can’t afford a healthy lifestyle. Keep reading. I am going to keep showing you how.
Second Step. Keep It Simple
Next, come up with a plan for the week and buy those items. You only need a couple of meals to get you through the week. Buying frozen vegetables in bulk can save you money when you can’t afford fresh (plus they stay in your freezer longer than they would in the refrigerator).
Potatoes and rice and oatmeal are great staples to keep on hand when money is tight. Buy one type of fruit instead of the whole produce section. Watermelon is fantastic and at a lower cost (when in season). Fed is better than dead.
Buy what is in season. Once a month I post a list of produce that is the freshest that month. Take that list and buy off of it.
Third Step. Be mindful.
Last thing here. Be OK with surviving in the time when things are tight. What you can do to start a healthy lifestyle is to still be mindful of how much of the food you have available.
The only way to lose fat is to be in a calorie deficit. You can read more about that here – and know that some of it may not apply to your current situation. However, the only way to lose fat is to be in a calorie deficit.
Making your portions smaller will help you get into a calorie deficit. Have a serving of goldfish instead of half of the box will help you get into a calorie deficit. Eat one measured serving of cereal for breakfast and not half the bag will help you get into a calorie deficit. Drinking water instead of sugary soda will help you get into a calorie deficit.
Healthy eating does have it’s costs – but it is not an all or nothing mentality here. If you are just starting out, and are having a hard time financially, the all or nothing mentality can cause you to give up before you even get started.
I am here to help take away “I can’t afford a healthy lifestyle”, by showing you how to take the smallest steps to get started.
Walking is by far the most underrated movement for your health. Squatting to a chair, practicing getting up and down off of the ground, uses functional muscles that you need no equipment or gym membership for. Less complication more simple action…
And… Fed is better than dead.
If you want more information on how to start where you are and get results that last a lifetime – reach out to me today!