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How to Lose the ‘Quarantine 15’: Budget-Friendly Weight Loss Tips
Between a fully-stocked pantry, your gym being closed, and lots of time to kill as you shelter in place, it’s hard to avoid coronavirus-related weight gain. However, now that restrictions are lifting and cities re-opening, you’re ready to shed the excess pounds you gained during the pandemic. There’s just one problem: You’re flat broke.
Are your weight-loss goals doomed to fail without money for a gym membership and curated meal plans? Not at all! Even if funds are tight after months of lockdown, you can lose weight and get your health back on track. Here’s where to start.
Get Your Sleep Schedule Back on Track
The coronavirus pandemic has thrown everything out of whack — our sleep schedules included. But poor sleep doesn’t just leave you groggy; it also contributes to weight gain and makes it harder to lose weight. If you want to shed pounds, start by fixing your sleep habits. First, follow a sleep schedule and avoid screens for an hour before bed. If that doesn’t work, invest in blackout curtains and a wake-up light to help you go to sleep and wake up on time. While wake-up lights can be costly, HeimVision’s version is great for insomniacs on a budget.
Swap High-Calorie Snacks for Fresh Alternatives
Shelf-stable processed foods got us through quarantine. But while we sought comfort in packs of chips and crackers, our waistlines grew. While you may not be able to ditch your snacking habits overnight, you can replace processed foods with healthier alternatives now that going to the grocery store feels a bit safer. Raw vegetables with hummus, apples, homemade popcorn, and unsweetened yogurt are a few snacks that are cheap, healthy, and satisfying.
Make the Most of Walks with Fido
We’re all walking our dogs a lot more during the lockdown. As restrictions lift, don’t just keep up the new habit — rev it up! Hands-free leashes and harnesses let you turn leisurely strolls with your dog into proper cardio workouts. To save money on running gear and other dog walking essentials like waste bags and a pop-up water bowl, shop online through Rakuten. When you use a Chewy promo code through websites such as Rakuten, you can save an additional 3 percent on top of Chewy’s already low prices.
Work Out at Home — No Home Gym Required
Not much of a runner? No problem! You can get in a great workout at home and you don’t need a lot of space or equipment to do it. There are tons of resources online for working out at home, including the totally-free Fitness Blender. While there are workouts you can do with no equipment, you’ll get more versatility (and comfort) from home workouts if you invest in affordable gear including a yoga mat, resistance bands, sliders, and a kettlebell. If you want a treadmill, exercise bike, or other expensive pieces of equipment, buy used to save money. Just be sure to ask questions and verify the condition to avoid buying a dud.
Check for Specials on Fitness Memberships
If you just can’t get into the groove of home fitness, look for ways to save money on fitness classes and gym memberships. Many fitness and wellness centers, including Power Bar Women’s Fitness, will begin to reopen following the coronavirus pandemic. This could be a good time to try out a fitness class you’ve been interested in.
It’s normal for weight to fluctuate in stressful times. But now that things are returning to normal, it’s time to make your health and wellness a priority once more. Use these tips to jumpstart your post-COVID-19 weight loss and start feeling like yourself again!
