What do you do when you want to get in shape, but you have to stick to a budget?  While there are good options that work well and quickly, there are also ways to manage without spending much money — or any at all.

We’ll take a look at nearly free today.  An inexpensive pedometer is all you need to keep you moving.  Keep track of the number of steps you take and add a few more every day until you have a minimum of 10,000 steps. Click here to learn about an exercise plan you can actually do from now on.

Take a different view of your household chores. Turn that necessary drudgery, into an aerobic workout.  Vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing the tub — even dusting — can become a workout if you do it quickly and with vigor.  Besides that, you get a nice clean house when you are through with your workout!  Yard work like mowing, weeding, and raking leaves can be a free exercise plan.

And start having more active fun.  Instead of watching the kids or grandkids play — take some time to play with them.  Make memories as well as burn calories as  you play foursquare or ride bikes.  If your level of health doesn’t allow anything more energetic, at least go for a walk with them.

The key to fitness is moving.  If you have a sedentary lifestyle, the best way to change is to work activity into your daily life. You may drop out of the gym — but you won’t be dropping out of your life.  And it won’t cost you anything extra!

Eating to live and living for Christ,

Susan Jordan Brown