The new year has arrived, and you’re set to get started with a new fitness plan that you put in place. But do you feel like the road bumps along the way are keeping you from staying the course? Or, maybe it’s the money you’ll spend, because after all, you can’t see yourself hopping on the fitness bandwagon without a new mega-dollar treadmill, trendy gym outfits or a membership to an expensive gym. 

Remember, fitness is a vital part of our health and our well-being, and as hard as it may be to get up from that couch and get started, the long-term rewards will be plentiful. Consider a few of the benefits: 

• You’ll sleep better.
• You’ll function better in your relationships.
• You’ll tax your heart less.
• You’ll increase lean body mass.
• You’ll improve your immune system.
• You’ll reduce your risk of a heart attack and diabetes.
• You’ll treat anxiety and depression.
• You’ll  help prevent a relapse if in recovery.
• Reduces risk of colon and breast cancer.

We could go on and on, but just remember that little bit of breathlessness and that sore body, should actually feel like living. You’re taking back control of your body’s health, and that’s a feeling that runner’s describe as a “runner’s high” — when your endorphins are let loose to boost your mood and your energy.

So figure out what’s holding you back. If it’s finding the time that’s a roadblock,  let’s talk about all those distractions. Chances are you can sneak in some time in your day to get into some fitness:

• If you don’t have time to get in 30 minutes of an aerobic workout, divide it into three easier 10-minute sessions.  
• Have a piece or two of exercise equipment in your office. There’s probably plenty of time when you can add 10 or 15 minutes of pumping barbells.
• Schedule it in your calendar. Most of us commit to what’s on our calendar so jot it down so it has a place in your day.
• Set your alarm a half an hour early. 
• Replace your work chair with a stability ball. 

And if you’re worried about money, you can flatten that roadblock, too, and here’s how: 

Exercises In Your Home

You don’t even have to leave the house to get in some good exercise. 

• Paint a room.
• Do some seriously deep cleaning.
• Run your steps. 
• Go for a family walk or bike ride.
• Do crunches, planks or push-ups during tv time.
• Buy a few pieces of inexpensive equipment.

Start a walking group

Working out and socializing go great together as both are proven to boost your mood. You can gather a group of friends to walk daily inside a mall or to different scenic parks and venues.

Alternative methodsYoga, meditation and swimming are scientifically proven to help your mental health. This is because these activities allow you to focus your mind and can relieve stress and anxiety. So look for a great online yoga video, a swimming pool, local gym or a meditation app. 

Photo Credit: Unsplash

You’ve been pulling in long work hours at the office like a robotic drone and you’re feeling tense and tired, inside and out. A vacation is exactly what you need as you dream of running away to a beach with turquoise waters and all-day sunshine, or a splendid mountain hiking path with trees and wildflowers everywhere. However, your thin, moth-eaten wallet is a problem; you’ll have to figure out how to travel to a destination of choice on a teeny-weeny budget.  

Not only that, your employer is stingy with vacation time, so you’ll have to make do with few vacation days on top of a tight budget. How do you logistically plan a dream vacation with such belt-restricting constraints? Calm down, it’s perfectly feasible to organize a wonderful vacation without breaking the bank or clock.  

Your best bet is to depend on useful software, and to set your mind on finding great deals and discounts.

Here are some tips to guide you on how to have a happy vacation, within a restricted budget regarding time and money:

Life Hacking Software

A myriad of apps are available that work to optimize your time and budget as you explore new places during your vacation. Such apps compare and contrast the prices of hotels and hostels, sync your trip with family and friends, inform you of public transportation schedules and help you cut budget corners by recording your expenses during the trip. For which apps to download, check top online travel magazines or vacationer community reviews for their favorite picks.   

It’s worth it to mention that some apps sync with your home security gadgets, and let you get a good view of the interior of your house while being miles away. You might have securely fastened the main doors to your home, left lights on timers to scare off potential robbers, and asked a relative to pick up your mail, but being able to personally check in on the state of your home via an app, connected to the Internet of Things, gives you a genuine peace of mind.

Stop Buying Kitsch

When you travel, do you pluck your dollars down for kitschy tourist memorabilia? License plates, shot glasses, and t-shirts with the name of the town you’re visiting (or your father-in-law’s nickname) may have you think you scored a great buy, but who holds on to these gifts in the long run? Typically pricey, these gift items end up hidden in a forgotten corner or closet and are eventually disposed of by the recipient of the original gift.   

Instead of springing for a lot of these generic items during your trips abroad, find one or two tasteful quality items that smack of the craftsmanship of the place you’re visiting. Buying a quality leather product or a handmade piece of jewelry would be striking the right notes in this regard. Focus on exercising discipline with your product purchases so that you burn your roll of dough on only the very best of travel buys and experiences.  

Keep a Sharp Eye Out for Comps and Discounts

Some all-inclusive vacations, such as cruise and resort getaways, offer free drinks, meals and entry to exclusive events taking place on certain days. A surefire way to collect on a sublime vacation within limited budget and time parameters is to take advantage of such trip package deals. Providers often advertise deep comps and discounts – you simply have to submit them to be honored, once you’ve found them online. A bonus? All-inclusive vacation providers often organize set daily activities so that you don’t have to go through the trouble of scheduling your day-to-day vacation. All within budget, too.   

A Final Thought

There are multiple ways to avoid stressing over budget and time constraints as you vacation. By following our helpful tips above, you can experience a splendid vacation without worrying about your thin pocketbook or glancing at the calendar obsessively.  

Photo via Pixabay