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Getting Fit Without Spending Money

I've always been a city girl. I'm used to having gyms, parks, pools, and recreation centers a five-minute drive away from my front door. However, when my lack of employment forced me to move in with my parents in rural Northern Michigan, I needed to improvise and revamp my old workout techniques.

With no gym to join and no money to join one anyway, I was a bit discouraged. Running outdoors was not a possibility as all roads were covered in treacherous ice and snow. Sitting in front of the T.V. wolfing down holiday leftovers was looking better and better. Until, of course, it became increasingly difficult to button my jeans. There had to be a solution. And there is!

With all of the new developments in fitness and the constant bombardment of fad diet and diet pill advertisements, one simple exercise solution can be easily overlooked: the workout DVD. No need to drive to the gym to have a professionally guided workout experience, just get a tape!

One problem. The tapes cost money and we don't have any. Worry not! Just go to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store. I guarantee you will find at least one used fitness tape donated by someone who has given up on the dream. Use this to your advantage. I have never paid more than three dollars for a tape.

At first I was worried about the cheesiness factor. Will I be laughing at the people on the screen more than actually doing the moves? Sometimes. But, remember, laughing works the abs and the only way to get into a successful workout routine is to make it fun. Being entertained while feeling the burn. Sounds great to me!

The tape I started with was Dr. Pamela Peeke's Body for Life for Women Workout DVD featuring fitness instructor Ellen Barrett. $14.99 on Amazon.com, $2.99 at the Salvation Army. Dr. Peeke gives the audience the basic points of her entire weight loss philosophy covered in her book Body for Life for Women including tips on smart eating, staying active, and staying positive. The DVD features a half-hour workout (easy, right?) that incorporates cardio, upper body, abs, and lower body exercises. The nice feature of this DVD and any DVD is that you can start it and stop it to fit your schedule and ability level, try doing that at a fitness class!

Another fun one I found (high on the cheesiness factor) is Carlos Llanos' Street Heat Body Jam Cardio Workout. Now these are moves you wouldn't want to do anywhere else but in the privacy of your own home. The dance routine is high-energy and you'll be so focused on your footwork, you won't even notice how outdated the hip-hop soundtrack is. Even so, you'll be sweating by the end of it.

So, get out to your local thrift store, browse the video and DVD titles. There's sure to be one that will catch your eye. Fitness DVDs require almost no additional equipment aside from a pair of sneakers and self-motivation, so they provide the perfect solution to working out on a budget.

Another thrifty tip: Need a mat for floor exercises? Don't go for the overpriced yoga mat in the fitness section of your local department store, just head over to the camping section. Sleeping pads designed for campers are usually at least half the price and double the cushion.

Learn more about this author, Rachel Boury.
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