So You Want To Lose 10 Pounds: How To Keep Your Resolution, Even On A Budget

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Published by Sydney on December 31, 2014 | Updated April 20, 2021 | 32 Comments

I usually have a list a mile long of New Years resolutions. One thing that hasn’t been on my list until this year was that dreaded resolution… lose weight. I don’t know if it’s because I’m getting older and my metabolism is slowing down or because I ate WAY more than I should have this holiday season; but looking in the mirror earlier this week I knew I needed to change something.

I don’t have a target weight goal I just have a way I want to look. I found a picture from a few years back when I was really happy with what my body looked like and stuck that on my bathroom mirror. Yes, I know that my body will (probably) never be the same since I’ve had children and getting back to my high school weight is unrealistic, however it is a good motivator for me to see every day. And that’s the first step.; Set a realistic goal. It doesn’t have to be a certain weight, but it can be. It can also be a certain part of your body you want to trim down, or a way you want to look in your favorite jeans. The point is to be realistic; if you’ve gained 50 pounds since high school fifteen years ago you’re not going to lose than in a year (It took 15 years to get there, it’s going to take some time to go away too!)

There are more articles, posts, reviews, reports than I can even count on how to lose weight or stay healthy. Today I’m not here to share any new ideas with you or claim that I know the secret to losing weight. I’m going to share with you what I am going to do in 2015 to be happy with my body and how I’m going to do it on a budget. Have you ever noticed how losing weight can be costly? Gym memberships are expensive and healthy food options cost more than un-healthier options. Trying to live a better life is even harder if you don’t have extra money to throw around. So what do you do? Here’s a few tips and tricks to help get you started:

Start with something small. Don’t commit yourself to signing up for a gym membership or rigorous exercise program. How about start by parking at the end of the parking lot when you go to the store or mall. Choose to walk for half of your lunch break vs. sitting at your desk browsing the web. Get the kids out of the house every morning and walk to the park or down to the end of the street. Being active doesn’t have to be hard and it doesn’t have to cost money either.

Shop the ads. One of the biggest parts about getting fit is eating healthy; but a lot of times that can be expensive. How come fruit and veggies cost more than junk food? Whole wheat bread costs more than white. Organic food double the cost of non-organic. Start shopping your weekly grocery store ads. Fruits and vegetables are always less expensive when they are in season and usually once a month or so lean meats go on sale as well. There is always a healthier option than chips on sale. For an inexpensive, healthy swap for white bread shop your local bakery outlet. We shop at the Franz Outlet and they sell whole grain loaves for $.79 each!

Cut down on eating out. Easier said than done right?! Keep your home and office stocked with snacks that are filling, things like almonds, oatmeal, apples, dried fruit. Then instead of running to Mickey D’s when hunger strikes you can pull out a snack that can hold you over until your next meal. For more healthy snack ideas check out my healthy snacks Pinterest board.

Water, water and more water. Drink more water. Water is free AND good for you. You can’t go wrong with water.

Join a challenge group. Things are always easier to accomplish when you have someone helping you stay on track and keeping you motivated. One of my blogging buddies, Tiffany, hosts an eight week program called Feel Great In 8. It’s an 8 week challenge where points are gained and lost for healthy eating choices, fitness, sleep and even family time. Tiffany is there every step of the way to help you achieve your goals and keep you on track. And if that wasn’t enough there is a cash prize at the end of the challenge to the person with the most points! To learn more and to sign up for the next challenge head over here. Not quite ready to join a challenge? Tiffany also has a great e-book that you can read to jump start your healthy lifestyle choices or as a companion to the 8 week challenge.

What are you going to do to kick start your healthy 2015? I’d love to hear your ideas and what has and hasn’t worked for you!

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