Live Healthy For Less
There is a misconception out there that it is expensive to live a healthy lifestyle.
While it is true that gym memberships are an added expense, and food that is part of a specific diet can be more expensive than you would normally buy, I would like to try to dispel some of the common myths around living a healthy life.
Food - is organic necessary? Organic food is often associated with good health.
For a food to be organic it cannot be grown with added pesticides, fertilizers, spray, or chemicals - and the soil cannot contain them either.
While it is true that some organic foods are better for your health, it is not necessary to buy everything organic.
It probably does not matter if the banana you eat is organic if you are just going to peel it.
If you are looking for the biggest bang for your buck with organic foods, the top ten organic items to buy include peaches, apples, pears, winter squash, green beans, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, spinach and potatoes.
Do not beat yourself up if you cannot afford organic produce - it is more important is that you are simply eating fruit and vegetables.
Expensive gym memberships I know firsthand just how much gym memberships can hurt your pocketbook.
Boston does not offer very many gyms that are under $50 per month, and mine is closer to $75.
However, you can find good deals out there if you are smart about it.
I used to belong to the YMCA when I lived down the street from one of their branches.
This gym is significantly less than any others I have come across.
Many gyms will give you a discount if you are student, or if you sign up as a family.
A lot of employers will also give you money back once you have been a member for a specific number of months.
However, do not think that having a gym membership is the only way to stay in shape.
Check out this [http://www.
healthierwayoflife.
com/articles/workout_outside.
htm] article I wrote about taking your workout outside, now that it's warm.
Healthy food costs too much If you are following a specific meal plan such as Jenny Craig, or if you feel that you have to buy products such as South Beach Diet then yes, you will be paying more for your groceries.
But it does not cost more money to buy food that is healthier, such as low-fat yogurt, whole grain foods, or fruits and vegetables.
The key is to buy those foods when they go on sale.
Look for fruits and vegetables that are in-season, and only buy them then.
Use coupons on products you like that are healthy, or determine where the best place to shop for healthier foods is.
Trader Joes is a great option if you have one near you.
For just $.
99 you can buy whole wheat pizza dough and make your own whole wheat pizza.
Top it with part-skim mozzarella and vegetables, and you have got yourself a nutritious meal.
In the long run, if you are not taking care of your health, it is going to cost you extra money anyway.
Many people have to be on medication every single day, and some end up with cancer or have a heart attack due to their unhealthy lifestyle.
All of these scenarios are costly in terms of money and quality of life.
Invest in good health now and you will reap the benefits for the rest of your life.
While it is true that gym memberships are an added expense, and food that is part of a specific diet can be more expensive than you would normally buy, I would like to try to dispel some of the common myths around living a healthy life.
Food - is organic necessary? Organic food is often associated with good health.
For a food to be organic it cannot be grown with added pesticides, fertilizers, spray, or chemicals - and the soil cannot contain them either.
While it is true that some organic foods are better for your health, it is not necessary to buy everything organic.
It probably does not matter if the banana you eat is organic if you are just going to peel it.
If you are looking for the biggest bang for your buck with organic foods, the top ten organic items to buy include peaches, apples, pears, winter squash, green beans, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, spinach and potatoes.
Do not beat yourself up if you cannot afford organic produce - it is more important is that you are simply eating fruit and vegetables.
Expensive gym memberships I know firsthand just how much gym memberships can hurt your pocketbook.
Boston does not offer very many gyms that are under $50 per month, and mine is closer to $75.
However, you can find good deals out there if you are smart about it.
I used to belong to the YMCA when I lived down the street from one of their branches.
This gym is significantly less than any others I have come across.
Many gyms will give you a discount if you are student, or if you sign up as a family.
A lot of employers will also give you money back once you have been a member for a specific number of months.
However, do not think that having a gym membership is the only way to stay in shape.
Check out this [http://www.
healthierwayoflife.
com/articles/workout_outside.
htm] article I wrote about taking your workout outside, now that it's warm.
Healthy food costs too much If you are following a specific meal plan such as Jenny Craig, or if you feel that you have to buy products such as South Beach Diet then yes, you will be paying more for your groceries.
But it does not cost more money to buy food that is healthier, such as low-fat yogurt, whole grain foods, or fruits and vegetables.
The key is to buy those foods when they go on sale.
Look for fruits and vegetables that are in-season, and only buy them then.
Use coupons on products you like that are healthy, or determine where the best place to shop for healthier foods is.
Trader Joes is a great option if you have one near you.
For just $.
99 you can buy whole wheat pizza dough and make your own whole wheat pizza.
Top it with part-skim mozzarella and vegetables, and you have got yourself a nutritious meal.
In the long run, if you are not taking care of your health, it is going to cost you extra money anyway.
Many people have to be on medication every single day, and some end up with cancer or have a heart attack due to their unhealthy lifestyle.
All of these scenarios are costly in terms of money and quality of life.
Invest in good health now and you will reap the benefits for the rest of your life.
Source...