Top 10 healthy ways to beat the credit crunch

How to save money by getting fit

With the credit crunch still hitting the pockets of under-pressure Brits, health experts are urging the nation to beat their financial troubles by getting fighting fit through a lifestyle overhaul.

As fuel and home bills start to rocket, the crunch is proving the ideal spur for families to make changes to improve their well-being and their finances.

A top 10 list of simple changes that will help cut overheads – and create a fitter family… :)

1. Ditching the school car run in favour of healthier walking or cycling
With petrol prices soaring, cycling or walking the kids to school is an excellent way of saving money on fuel whilst improving your family’s general fitness through exercise and a much-needed breath of fresh air in the morning. Not only that, it will also be a great way to socialise with other parents who are also keen to fight the credit crunch through lifestyle change.

2. Cycling or walking to work – leaving the car in the garage
Driving to work is becoming an increasingly expensive habit and one that aggravates stress through the frustrations of rush hour traffic. Leaving the car behind and cycling or walking to work therefore offers a relaxing, energetic alternative that may even lead to new friendships with fellow exercising co-workers.
Even if you live too far away from work to walk or cycle there, why not car-share with fellow colleagues, taking it in turns to drive? This will help cut costs in the long-term, as well as helping the environment.

3. Turning off TVs, unplugging game consoles and going out with family and friends for walks or fun in the local park
With electricity consumers also hit hard by the rising bills of the credit crunch, turning off televisions, games consoles and DVD players and going for family walks in the park will help save you money and offer a refreshing fitness routine. Physical exercise doesn’t have to be arduous; why not take the kids for a game of rounders and turn the TV off? It’ll be good exercise, getting the family out of the stuffy house and into the fresh summer air.

4. Enjoying the summer evenings walking, running round the park, cycling or gardening… rather than in the pub
As well as being bad for your health, drinking can be an expensive habit and prices look set to increase during the credit crunch. So why not save yourself the money and gain a new lease of life by doing some recreational exercise? Running round the park, gardening and cycling are all simple, free and enjoyable pleasures that offer healthier alternatives to the pub routine.
And even if you do fancy a quick pint in the pub to catch up with friends or family, try walking there to balance out your drinking with a dose of easy exercise.

5. Scrapping the weekend takeaway and using some of the cash for a trip to the leisure centre or swimming pool
This weekend, why not ditch the junk food and spend the money productively on a trip to the local leisure centre or swimming pool? Takeaways are expensive and with recreational facilities offering cheap and fun exercise options, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t spend the money on something useful instead.

6. Cutting food bills by growing your own veg, even if it’s just a few pots on the patio or a windowbox
As food prices seem to rise each time you go to the supermarket, an alternative source of healthy eating is thankfully at hand. Even if you aren’t blessed with a large garden, you can quickly cut your food bills by growing your own fruit and veg. A good value, healthy answer to large food bills, it’s also great fun for the whole family and very satisfying to watch your own handiwork as it grows and develops.

7. Getting fitter by doing more jobs around the home – washing the car and cleaning windows yourself
Save heaps of money on cleaners by doing household jobs yourself. As well as cutting costs, carrying out tasks like washing the car and cleaning windows will also prove a useful way of keeping active, allowing you to exercise your body just by doing a good deed. Healthy and satisfying, you’ll never need a cleaner again!

8. Ditch the lunchtime fast food. Enjoy a healthy home-made packed lunch and a brisk walk
Fed up with sitting in the canteen through your lunch hour, moaning at the prices of the fast food they’re serving? No problem. There is a healthy and cheap alternative staring you in the face! Simply bring your own packed lunch into work and, instead of loitering in the canteen, go for a brisk walk to exercise your body and clear your head before the afternoon’s work. You’ll feel the health benefits in no time.

9. Instead of an expensive meal out, pack up a picnic then head out to the countryside for some ‘al fresco’ dining and a scenic stroll
Struggling to afford to treat the family to a slap-up dinner? Don’t worry, help is at hand. Instead of spending a fortune on an expensive restaurant meal, try packing a picnic, heading for the countryside and enjoying your homemade food – and the good company of your family – before enjoying a scenic stroll or some fun and games.

10. Beat the cost of a posh birthday party, just invite a few friends round for a fantastic barbecue, with everyone bringing some food and drinks
Birthday parties can be expensive affairs, so this year beat the credit crunch by simply inviting a few friends round and having a barbecue in the fresh air. With everyone chipping in by bringing their own food and drink, the cost will dramatically decrease, leaving you to concentrate less on your finances and more on having fun with the people you love.

Great article for runners,fitters....not only for Brits also for Turks and anyone else....:)


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