Coupon Queen: Trimming pounds, budget simultaneously

My weight loss journey has been long and arduous, and unfortunately, I've been derailed several times by crisis, lack of effort, and my neighborhood Dunkin' Donuts. It also has lasted most of my adult life. I understand the complete hopelessness that comes with weighing too much and feeling you have too much to lose. My weight has been up and down and all around, but I've been working hard this past year and have lost over one hundred pounds. I strive to make healthy choices every day, not only for myself but also for my family. One of the struggles people have with losing weight is the cost. Healthy eating can cost more than highly processed foods, and for some, a gym membership may not be within the budget. To help you get on the road to a healthier new you, I wanted to share five ways to get fit frugally. Plan ahead Time is limited for most of us, but one of the best things you can do to eat better is to prepare. Take a couple of hours every week and prepare some quick and easy meals ahead of time. Chop up fresh vegetables and fruit ahead of time and plan out your evening meals. If I don't take the time to prepare, I find myself making poor choices. Free workouts Want to work out but can't get to the gym? Head over to your local library and borrow a few of their workout DVDs. This is a great way to try a new workout such as yoga or line dancing without it costing you a dime. YouTube is another free resource that has hundreds of thousands of workout videos. Exercising at home means you don't have to worry about trying new machines or how you look dancing around the living room. Best of all, you may be able to encourage the whole family to join in. Shop smarter To lose weight, you must change your eating plan. Unfortunately, late-night pizza, large tubs of movie popcorn, and those cheap boxes of cookies that you just picked up from your latest coupon trip will all have to be put aside. Instead, focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. Two of my favorite places to snag discounted produce are Aldi and Marcs. Keep an eye out for reduced, quick-to-sell fruit and vegetables too. Ask around If you are in the market for some gym equipment, ask before you buy. You'd be amazed how many people have fitness equipment at home that they are not using. When they made their purchase, they had every good intention, but now, there it is, collecting dust after years of neglect. Since many would love to part with their clothing rack (workout machine), you may grab yourself a bargain. Get creative Don't let a lack of special equipment stop you from exercising. Instead, use the steps of your home for your stair climber, head to the local mall and walk around the perimeter several times a week, and use canned goods for weights. The most important thing to do is to get moving. While we all want to save money, be sure to put your health first. Healthy eating and getting daily exercise will improve your health, add years to your life, and lower your medical expenses. Making a lifestyle now will definitely save you money in the end. This week's deal Here's a deal that you can get this week at CVS. Kellogg's cereals or Cheerios — Buy 1, Get 1 Free Buy 2 Honey Nut Cheerios cereal 12.25oz. $5.49 each Use the $1/2 General Mills Cereal digital coupon (found online or on the app) = $4.49 total — just $2.24 each! Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.