Fitness on a Budget

When you choose to live a healthy and active lifestyle, you may be discouraged by the costs involved-- gym memberships, childcare, supplements, organic foods, and workout clothes. You don't need to be deterred by these added expenses, but rather determined to seek out products and services that fit your budget.

As a mother of 2 young boys, childcare is a must if I want to exercise regularly. My gym, Fitness 19 is a basic gym with treadmills and ellipticals, free weights and machines. They have a low monthly fee and childcare that fits my budget. Paying childcare may be too much or maybe you don't feel comfortable leaving your child, then a fitness program early in the morning like Camp Gladiator or  consider bringing your child with you to a Stroller Strides class.

Getting down to a desired weight and maintaining it can be tough. I take natural supplements to help me reach and keep my goals. Supplements include green tea, raspberry ketones, amino acid energy drinks, protein drinks and bars. Supplements can be expensive, so it's important to find a coach or trainer that can point you in the right direction and help you stay within your budget. Advocare, It Works Global and Armored Nutrition offer exclusive specials for readers.

Adding fruits and vegetable to your diet is an important key to being healthy. Aldi grocery stores offer a large selection of fresh produce at low prices. I also enjoy buying their large trail mix bags which make great snacks when you get the munchies.

I'm a girly-girl when it comes to shopping for clothes and shoes, and workout wear is no exception. I have found trendy yoga pants, stretching pants and capris, brand names like Brooks, Under Armor, Nike and Adidas at TJ Maxx. It makes me feel happy when I look cute at the gym without breaking the bank. I like shopping at Target for basic gear like sport bras,weight lifting gloves and water bottles.

Running shoes are important too, and if you run often, you'll need buy shoes a little bit more too. The cushioning will wear down. It's important to keep your feet supported. According to Runner's World, you should retire your shoes after 300-500 miles. Keep track of your training miles too. I subscribe to emails from Omega Sports. They email me coupons and specials that I use to buy running shoes.

One of my biggest fitness expense is races, but it is also one of my best motivators to keep active all year long. Race registrations can range from anywhere from $10 to over $100 depending on the type. Mud runs, color runs, and triathlons challenge you beyond running, so I try to do at least one of these races each year in addition to at least one basic road race. I have found many race discounts through Active.com . Starting a team or registering early will also keep your costs low. Most races benefit charities or other non-profit organizations, so choose a race that supports a cause that you care about and make your money go farther.

Several of the businesses mentioned above (Camp Gladiator, Stroller Strides, Fitness 19, Advocare, It Works! Global & Armored Nutrition) have partnered with FitTriangleMom and offer special discounts exclusively for readers. Visit the Exclusive page for details.

In the spirit of saving, I am giving away 2 free registration codes to Raleigh's Ella's Race on March 22 at the Chick-fil-A at Falls Village. Thanks to North Raleigh Family Eye Care for providing the free codes. You can participate in a 1-mile, 5k or 10k. Participants will receive a dri-fit shirt, Chick-fil-A food at the finish, and a free family Fun Zone. Ella's Race benefits The Cure Starts Now and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Comment below on how you save on healthy eating, fitness products or services. Winners will be chosen by Random.org on Thursday, March 20 at 8 am.

Thinking Outside the Gym



My gym is closed this week. They are remodeling. It really needs a facelift, but what's a mom to do when her consistent childcare and workout routine is placed on hold? So this week between errands, grocery shopping and doctor appointments, I'm going to try to different exercise options.

Today, my friend Michelle and I tried a free Stroller Strides class at Carpenter Village. Your first class of Stroller Strides is free. We met at the gazebo on Common Walk Circle. I had Liam in the jogger stroller and my yoga mat in the basket. We formed a semi circle around the gazebo and the instructor, Marisa Park had us begin with a warm-up moving our arms, stretching our legs and sharing our names, our kid's name, age, and a mommy-brain moment. If you're a regular FitTriangleMom blog reader than you'll know I have many mommy brain moments to share.

 



Marisa brought resistance bands for us to use and handed them out before we began our brisk walk or run depending on your fitness level. My friend Michelle is pregnant, so we decided to stick to a brisk walk. Marisa also shared modifications for each exercise level.

At our first stop, we worked our legs, glutes and core with a mixture routine of kick butts, high knees, hacky sacks and kicks. During each routine we sang kid songs to entertain our children. Then off we went on another brisk walk. The second stop included more legs and glutes with an elevator squat, and clapping under the knees. We then walked down the hill down to the water and took advantage of the stairs to do some toe touch steps, moving planks and push-ups. Then it was back up the hill (which is quite a workout pushing a 30 pound, 2-year-old, and apparently the $2 I had spent pumping up the tires in my jogger were already flat). Anyway, I was feeling the burn and reaping the benefits of an incredible workout.



At the top of the hill, we stopped in the pool parking lot to work our arms with the resistance bands. We did bicep curls to the front and side plus sprints, running backwards, sideways and crisscross. Between sprints we stopped and tickled our cute kids. Laughter erupted and fun was had by all.

After another short brisk walk, we came to our final stop. We rounded up the strollers in a circle and sang a fun tune while doing lunges, the "maniac" run in place, a jump then some burpees. We did this several times than headed back to our starting place at the gazebo.



It was beautiful out this morning. The sun was shinning, the skies were blue, and it was already hitting 70 degrees by 11 am. I was tired and sweaty, but it was a great workout. We formed another half circle at the gazebo and cooled down with some ab work. I laid out my yoga mat on the wet leaves and Marisa instructed us to do some Russian twists, supermans, flutter and scissor kicks, plank, side plank and a plank and downward dog mix and then we finished with a relaxing child's pose stretch. Om... Yes, it was a wonderful and challenging workout.



After the session, Marisa spoke with Michelle and I about joining their group. Stroller Strides offers workouts 6 days a week in Raleigh, Cary, Apex and Durham areas. Workouts vary every day and always include cardio, strength training, ab work plus songs and fun for the kids. Workouts are year round, and in the winter months they offer indoor classes at local malls. Dads are welcome to join on Saturdays, and many do! Stroller Strides also offers a free moms group/playgroup for all moms of stroller-aged children with weekly activities. Visit Stroller Stride Playgroup for more information. If you are interested in trying a free session of Stroller Strides and learning more about this "outside the gym" option visit Stroller Strides. Also be sure to "Like" them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/strollerstridesraleigh for a great upcoming Cyber Monday Special plus all their exciting news.