loosing weights expensive

[FatalStephy]

I dont know if this is just my intake on things but I wish i had the money to hire a personal trainer and nutritionist for me. I feel as though sometimes trying to loose weight can be rather expensive. The healthier food option is way more pricey then the way more delicious bag of chips. Between wieght loss shakes/drinks, healthy food, and gym memberships and personal trainers i feel as though wanting to take care of yourself is too costly. Though this is not an excuse as to not take care of yourself. But if i had money, i would be on a weight loss program, buying techy gadgets to help me advance and buying some nice exercise equipment for a home gym. So since i know that realistically isnt happening i usually do my own thing when it comes to workouts and eating. I too can never stick with eating healthy all the time. Ive tried to and i always fail after x amount of times. Now im just trying to be more mindful about what i eat and im trying to make my goals more realistic and smaller. To date i have lost ten pounds. But i binged today and probably gained wieght. Its so hard doing it on your own. This is why i love the fitbit community cuz to some extent i am not alone. And i know that many people are having some of the same struggles i face. For me, i feel like it all comes down to self motivation, and will power. These are the two things that i need to work on most. I really want to change and even though i may not have all the tools id like to to loose weight i am contempt with the fitbit and its community support. Best of luck to all of you and your fitness goals

[dansd]

I feel you on this i was feeling the same way. I went to USDA Food Tracker and tryed there fitness guide it has a very easy menu plan based on the dash diet. and is very easy to follow. If you can take time and be deligent for 3 weeks and track everything and eat close to the plan for your weight. In three weeks you will notice that you have changed how you eat.  Just remember it is allright to eat what you want when you deprive yourself you will fail. Try weighing out your favorite foods and see the porttion size you will be suprised good look and i wish you the best.

[Lightsinger · Accepted solution]

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@FatalStephy wrote:
I dont know if this is just my intake on things but I wish i had the money to hire a personal trainer and nutritionist for me. I feel as though sometimes trying to loose weight can be rather expensive. The healthier food option is way more pricey then the way more delicious bag of chips. Between wieght loss shakes/drinks, healthy food, and gym memberships and personal trainers i feel as though wanting to take care of yourself is too costly. Though this is not an excuse as to not take care of yourself. But if i had money, i would be on a weight loss program, buying techy gadgets to help me advance and buying some nice exercise equipment for a home gym. So since i know that realistically isnt happening i usually do my own thing when it comes to workouts and eating. I too can never stick with eating healthy all the time. Ive tried to and i always fail after x amount of times. Now im just trying to be more mindful about what i eat and im trying to make my goals more realistic and smaller. To date i have lost ten pounds. But i binged today and probably gained wieght. Its so hard doing it on your own. This is why i love the fitbit community cuz to some extent i am not alone. And i know that many people are having some of the same struggles i face. For me, i feel like it all comes down to self motivation, and will power. These are the two things that i need to work on most. I really want to change and even though i may not have all the tools id like to to loose weight i am contempt with the fitbit and its community support. Best of luck to all of you and your fitness goals

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What I do for exercise is mostly walking -- doesn't cost me a thing.  Keeping track of what I eat, on a free website, costs me only the access to the computer.  Healthy, fresh foods are not that much more expensive in money than eating junk.  I would say that I get more from the dollars spent on fresh produce and meat than I get from costly snacks and processed food, so I'm not sure where you shop.  But it will cost you in time and effort, and that's not a bad thing.  I've done it with a personal trainer -- couldn't keep that up, and found that I dreaded it so much that I didn't want to do it.  I've done shakes and prepackaged food and only gained weight, didn't lose it.  Not sure why you would have contempt for us....not sure that's what you actually meant to say. 😉 

I use Fitbit now, because someone gave me one for Christmas, but even before I had one, I had an inexpensive pedometer and a free website that I used.  I'm 66 years old, but I still managed to lose weight on my own, by keeping track of what I eat, making sure that I get at least 30 minutes of activity -- even if it's just walking -- every single day.  After a while I really started to enjoy it.  I go to the mall and do some brisk walking, looking at store windows and stopping after to grab a great cup of coffee to end my "session" and it doesn't cost me a dime -- except for the coffee.  When it's cooler, I walk at the park or out in the neighborhood.  You'd be amazed what you can do without any equipment, without a trainer, and with just plain old food that you can get at your grocery store.  All you need is the desire and the will, and that last part isn't as easy as sitting down in front of a computer, but it can happen. 

[LewWagner]

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@FatalStephy wrote:
I dont know if this is just my intake on things but I wish i had the money to hire a personal trainer and nutritionist for me. I feel as though sometimes trying to loose weight can be rather expensive. The healthier food option is way more pricey then the way more delicious bag of chips. Between wieght loss shakes/drinks, healthy food, and gym memberships and personal trainers i feel as though wanting to take care of yourself is too costly. Though this is not an excuse as to not take care of yourself. But if i had money, i would be on a weight loss program, buying techy gadgets to help me advance and buying some nice exercise equipment for a home gym. So since i know that realistically isnt happening i usually do my own thing when it comes to workouts and eating. I too can never stick with eating healthy all the time. Ive tried to and i always fail after x amount of times. Now im just trying to be more mindful about what i eat and im trying to make my goals more realistic and smaller. To date i have lost ten pounds. But i binged today and probably gained wieght. Its so hard doing it on your own. This is why i love the fitbit community cuz to some extent i am not alone. And i know that many people are having some of the same struggles i face. For me, i feel like it all comes down to self motivation, and will power. These are the two things that i need to work on most. I really want to change and even though i may not have all the tools id like to to loose weight i am contempt with the fitbit and its community support. Best of luck to all of you and your fitness goals

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I would like to second what Lightsinger just wrote as I definitely feel a person can exercise and eat right without having to pay for gyms or expensive nutrition programs.  I would recommend going to a nutritionist and getting a good set of nutrional goals and types of food to eat so you can use that as a baseline.  Then it's a matter of sticking to it.  Not deviating (even though I have wandered on occasion myself).  That is the "motivation" aspect.  Sure you can get a "drill instructor" type person to brow beat you into it, but when they're gone, you balloon up again.  No one but you can make your determination. 

Simple no cost (but the time and exhertion Lightsinger talked about) examples are walking up stairs vs. taking the elevator.  Doing reps of situps and pushups during commercial breaks so you aren't a total couch potato.  Walk everywhere.  If your knees are bad or you have heel spurs, then you may need to consider using an exercycle or swimming.  The bottom line here is you just have to decide to physically exhert your self and stay on a diet (no piecing between meals and possibly smaller portions).

Okay, off my soap box, now.  I only offer the above is you feel it is value add.  It has been for several readers so far, so maybe also for you????

Lew

[FatalStephy]

Thank you guys on your input. You know i guess yoyr right. I feel like somtimes i make excuses for myself. For an example like oh i would have lost weight if i had the money to hire a dietician and a PT, or a weight watchers program, or weight loss equipment. But like stated, all i need is the will power and dedication to do it.yea its nice to have all those extras but at the end of the day its all based on my decisions and up to me. And i really want to do this. Thanks for the feedback. Reading peoples veiwpoints enlightens me to think another way. I really appreciate it. Best of luck to you all too!

[wrongway]

You don't need a fitness trainer if you exercise and walking works.  I have lost 35 lbs since april this year and still going and all I am doing is walking and making sure my food intake is more than 1200 calories and less than 1500. (having a walking partner is priceless-I have a dog, but a friend close by would be just as great)

[Charleigh]

If you need motivation, buy something you really love in a size smaller than what you are now.  That will give you something work towards.

[Kibbles314]

I truly believe that eating healthy is cheaper -monetarily- than eating processed junk food. When you buy those pre made dinners, snacks, restaurant meals, etc, you are paying for the convenience and service. In my experience, produce is cheap in comparison. Yes organic foods are more expensive (and honestly I don't bother with it unless it's on sale or the only option for just that reason) but I have found that I have a lower grocery bill each week buying produce over junk food. Before I started eating healthier, I would spend an average of 80-90$ each week on food (I live alone). Now that I limit myself to almost exclusively buying produce (with some exceptions for meat and the bulk nuts) I spend an average of 50-60$ per week.

The thing that costs me more is time. I dedicate around 2 hours a day to exercise (including the drive to the gym, changing, actually working out, etc) and then another 1-2 hours to cooking my meals. I do save some time by cutting up a bunch of veggies for use in my lunch salads and such for the whole week, and using my blender to make fruit/veggie smoothies, but none the less I have had to dedicate more time to my meals in order for this lifestyle to work. Yes you can buy frozen pre cut veggies and such to use to save time, but the fact remains if you truly want to lose weight and change your lifestyle, then you have to be willing to give up something in return.

I know that's difficult, because everything you do has a reason (even if it's just lying down to watch TV and relax), and you have to find the motivation to trade out one activity for another. The internet has unlimited resources to research healthy eating plans for free. You don't need a dietician or trainer, even if their service makes it easier (again, paying for the convenience of not doing the research yourself). Walking, running, push ups, squats, sit ups, stretching, etc is all free. If you're willing to dedicate the time to your health, then you will find a way to make it work for you.

[LSD61]

Find a great low-priced option for fruits and veggies and get out and walk!  I drive right past an Aldi and a Save-A-Lot every day, so I stop twice a week and buy very inexpensive fruits and veggies.  A couple of green/red peppers, some apples, a pineapple, a couple of heads of lettuce and a low cal dressing can usually be on their way home with me for less than 10 bucks.  Alternatively, I fill up my  freezer when there are 10/$10 sales on frozen veggies.  Add a touch of butter and just salt and pepper to make me a happy girl! 

I work at a university, so there are great walking options for me.  Even in rainy weather, I walk a mile in the parking garage by going all the way down then back up to the top - easy peasy! 

BTW - I'm not a spring chicken - and this is not my first rodeo - but I know I have to do it to be able to enjoy my life for as long as I'm alive.  All the best of luck on your journey - you can do it!!  

[tryingto]

I am new to this and not real sure of what I need to do but wanting to find out. when I logged in it is saying that I am suppose to only have 798 cal. in one day and honestly that is awful low and I need to eat more than that. Any sugestions?

[Lightsinger]

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@tryingto wrote:

I am new to this and not real sure of what I need to do but wanting to find out. when I logged in it is saying that I am suppose to only have 798 cal. in one day and honestly that is awful low and I need to eat more than that. Any sugestions?

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I don't trust any program that has you eating less than 1200 calories a day, if you are a grown woman, and less than 1600 if you're a grown man.  Unless you are 4'8", less than 800 calories a day is not only unrealistic, it's probably going to put you into starvation mode and be counter productive.  I never go below 1200 calories a day, if I'm trying to lose weight.  I'm 5'3" and have eaten that way for 15 years, without any real problems, and I've lost 70 pounds in that time -- 40 of it almost immediately.  BUT, I am pretty active, and that has to be considered.  What matters the most is that whatever you do, your regimen be sustainable.  You don't "go on a diet" then come off it when you meet your goal.  The idea is to eat a healthy, for your body type and level of activity. 

[Sabern]

First of all WE can do this.. I fell off the system and gained 5 lbs back . but just to let you know, a home gym does not make it easier, I have a complete gum and very seldom use it. I perfer walking tapes and they are not expensive.  any way i am starting over today. and wishing you and all good loosing.

[Charleigh]

I think the system calculates the number of calories you need a day based
on how you entered your information. You put in how much you want to lose
and choose the amount of time to reach your goal weight. The quicker you
want to lose the lower your daily calorie intake would be. Try increasing
the time frame.

--
Edie Baugh

[Lightsinger]

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@Charleigh wrote:
I think the system calculates the number of calories you need a day based
on how you entered your information. You put in how much you want to lose
and choose the amount of time to reach your goal weight. The quicker you
want to lose the lower your daily calorie intake would be. Try increasing
the time frame.

--
Edie Baugh

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Other systems I have used never recommended less than 1200 calories a day, no matter how much weight you wanted to lose, how fast or how slow.  Recommending so few calories seems irresponsible to me, because someone will think that Fitbit is a nutritional expert and think they know what's good for you.  They don't.  Starvation diets are not healthy, nor are they sustainable.  So they shouldn't put up unrealistic calorie intake goals, because it will encourage people to eat in unhealthy ways.

[divedragon]

Eating healthy is a controversy in its own right.  What does that mean?  Even healthcare professionals don't often agree.  I have my own thoughts which are not to be construed as advice, just my own method.

I go against the grain when it comes to health and eating.  When I was growing up, we only had margirine in the house and it was touted as healthier than butter.  It was at a summer camp I got real butter on buttermilk biscuits with peach jam.  That was so good, I vowed when I grew up I would never eat anything but butter.  I'm 57 now and held on to that - low and behold, they now say margerine is worse for you! 

I'm an omnivour with leanings towards carnivore.  This is how I honestly believe we were meant to eat.  If you chose to be a vegegarian, I support you 100%, I just don't agree its a healthy way to eat.  I've also switched to grassfed wherever I can.  I drink raw milk, eat fresh eggs, pasture raised pork and chicken, mostly sourced locally.  This is expensive, but worth it.  I eat only 100% whole grains.  I also juice organic veggies and limit the fruit that goes into it.  I make my own lacto-fermented veggies and keifer.  

I travel for work, but try to stay in extended stay hotels with kitches and take my frozen meats with me to prepare on the road, but when I do eat out, I try for good quality meat dishes without a lot of pasta's or fried foods.  I rarely eat fried, but sometimes I make fried chicken at home and I cook it in pure lard from the pasture raised pigs i buy the mean from. 

Eating like this and watching calories and exercising, I've lost 35 lbs this year (13 of it twice when I stopped watching).  I'm over halfway to my goal. 

[I-train-hard]

Divedragon

Eating healthy is quite simple.

There is only one rule – eliminate all junk foods anytime you eat. Apply that rule to the people you care about.

I am almost as bad as you when comes to what I eat.

[SantiR]

What my mother does is that she doesn't use any oils or butters to cook. Just the pan, and she is so healthy. I eat that everyday and I cannot get fat. She also does every sauce naturally. For example, for tomato sauce, she cooks the tomatoes and make the sauce instead of using a ready-to-eat tomato sauce. Works quite well. 

[awood08]

@SantiR

I also only use my pan to cook foods and eliminate as much butter/oils etc as possible. If I absolutely have to have oil for something I use extra virgin coconut oil, gives the food a different taste but still good nonetheless 🙂

[I-train-hard]

For cooking I use coconut oil.  

[bdunlap]

I have multiple food allergies and intolerances and can not eat any dairy, wheat, gluten, soy, lettuce, cocoa bean, etc, so I use organic coconut oil which is refined for cooking. No other oil, but olive oil seemed ok but I hated the taste.

Losing weight doesn't have to be expensive. Yes I spend about $22 per month on cooking oil and ear organic canned kidney beans and organic eggs and organic canned chicken and organic bananas. But it's sad that that is my entire diet right now is literally nothing else other than purified water and Himalayan salt.

I spend less now on food than I did a year ago! I work out in my home on our recumbent bike, at our neighborhood gym for free thanks to our HOA and walk around four neighborhood and in Wal-Mart and Smith's.

Do yoga at home, learn tai chi. Attend low cost or free fitness classes at your library or maybe senior center if they allow it. There are many opportunities to exercise and eat low cost, it just takes time to find them. It's quite possible.