New year, new you? Setting resolutions for the new year is a long-held tradition—one that can surprisingly trace its roots back to an ancient Babylonian festival, with more modern versions originating in Colonial America. Across these many celebrations, the common theme is to celebrate the new year with a positive outlook and mindset for growth.
Today, resolutions are still relatively common, with about a third of Americans setting goals or resolutions for the new year. Even if you aren’t setting a specific goal, the new year still promotes feelings of optimism and growth. Among the most common are health-related goals, like eating healthier or exercising more, along with intentions to save more money. While those goals can often contradict each other, we have some solutions on ways you can keep your healthy resolutions, without breaking the bank. Keep reading for seven tips to get healthier this year on a budget.
Fuel efficiently
If you’re looking to eat healthy this year, you’re not alone. But with grocery costs rising, your wallet may already feel the strain. No worries—we’ve got you covered.
1. Plan ahead
Meal planning and prepping is a consistent recommendation for eating healthier on a budget. Before you head to the store full of good intentions, take inventory of what you already have. (I keep a list on my phone of everything in my pantry, fridge, freezer, plus spices, condiments and baking supplies. It may seem excessive, but in making the list originally, I found things in my freezer that were forgotten.) Then, when you make your meal plan for the week, you can reference and use what you have on hand. This helps keep grocery costs down and can help reduce waste by reminding you to use things like produce before they go bad. Once you have your meal plan, you can make a shopping list to fill in any gaps. Look up available coupons or what specials may be available at the store to save even more.
2. Shop smart
While checking those sale ads, keep an eye out for your favorite products or frequently used staples. You’ll want to stock up on these items, as your space allows. Additionally, some products are cheaper bought in bulk, like grains, oats, beans, and lentils, which provide various nutrients, and are healthy recipe staples. It’s also a good idea to stick to local and seasonal producewhen possible, as they’re generally more cost-effective and at their peak flavor and nutrients. That said, frozen alternatives are also a great option, both in terms of cost and health benefits.
3. Prep ahead
Weekly prep can make all the difference when it comes to eating healthy. Clean and cut your produce after your shopping trip. Fresh fruits and veggies make great snacks and are easier to reach for when they’re pre-cut. Prepping your veggies can also save you time later when cooking, which makes cooking a healthy meal after work a little less overwhelming. Another way to prep is batch cooking meals that you can store in the freezer for those lazy days.
Exercise
Another common health-related goal is to exercise more, but gyms can be too expensive—and intimidating—to be sustainable. Thankfully, there are other options!
4. On the town
One of the easiest ways to add exercise into your routine is to walk. Check out your local parks and trails to add variety to your scenery and terrain. While most of Georgia’s National Parks are fee-free, you can take also advantage of free days at certain parks. Plus, spaces like Atlanta’s Beltline, Augusta’s Riverwalk, and Savannah’s Forsyth Park Loops provide excellent opportunities to explore your own backyard on foot.
5. Complimentary classes
Want to take your exercise up a notch? Check out what free classes might be available locally, especially come spring and summer. Many green spaces, like the Beltline, Piedmont Park, and the Home Depot Backyard, offer free exercise classes and running clubs. Additionally, some studios like Orangetheory often offer a free trial class, allowing you to see if you enjoy the workout before committing to a paid plan. And of course, YouTube is a great source for free workouts, whether you’re looking for strength training, yoga, or cardio exercises. For workouts that may require tools like workout mats or weights, check out your local buy-nothing groups, Facebook marketplace, and thrift stores to save some cash.
Mental wellness
Health isn’t all about your physical wellbeing, but also your mental state. Here are a few additional ways to promote your mental wellness.
6. Meditate on it
Studies have shown that meditation can reduce stress and anxiety, support cognitive skills, and help with sleep. Even better, meditating requires no tools! But if you need some meditative assistance, apps like Calm and Medito provide free meditations. YouTube also can be a good source for meditations—just be aware of the source.
7. Track that
Another part of mental health is self-care, which can come in many forms. If you need help quitting costly bad habits, like smoking, apps like Quit That! can help you track your progress and promote recovery. You can also check out Happify, which is a science-based app that offers tracking, games, and journaling prompts to promote mental wellness.
Key takeaways:
- Make shopping and meal planning easier by keeping an inventory of your groceries.
- Check out free, local exercise classes, especially in the spring and summer.
- Apps like Happify and Calm can help with mental wellness goals.
Setting resolutions is common—but failing to keep them is even more common. It can feel overwhelming knowing where to start, or like your resolutions are too expensive to be sustainable. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to make healthier habits. Simple steps like keeping an inventory of your groceries or just walking at the park can help you make progress toward your goals without spending a dime. Did you make a resolution this year? Let us know in the comments!