“How can you save money, get fit, and lose weight all at the same time, Dr Dean?”

“Well, I am glad you asked.”  Here are my rules, for “Millionaire Nurses”, who know the value of saving money,  good health and fitness.

• Burn more calories:  Bike to work, walk to work, even if it is only once a week.  Same for shopping, park the car and walk to several of your destinations if possible.  If you have to drive, park as far away from your work as possible-(won’t save money, but will burn calories.)
• Stop fast food-take healthy food for lunch.
• Switch shopping time to exercise time.
• Take advantage of health insurance/workplace incentives to lose weight and exercise-Some companies drop premiums, or even give cash bonuses if you meet certain measures of losing weight, stopping smoking, or exercising.
• Cook at home-make it fun-turn the tv off, put on your apron with nothing underneath(keep it safe), turn up the music, use healthy ingredients, have your family help(with clothes underneath the apron if you have kids, please!)
• Instead of date night out at the movies, or on the weekend-make it play time out-take a walk at a park, bike, build a snowman, cross-country ski.
• Smaller food portions at meal times translates to lower grocery bills.
• Skip desserts at home and when eating out.
• Take showers together with your spouse-(if you don’t know how this can lead to burning extra calories, then we need to talk.)
• Stop buying pre-packaged, high sodium/preservative sandwich meat.  Buy a chicken breast/bake or grill/cut on the diagonal for sandwich size portions-you can do the same with pork-loin, or inexpensive roasts.   If you have too much to use in a couple of days, freeze them, labeled with date and identity, in sandwich size freezer bags.
• When buying exercise equipment, buy used on Craig’s list or E-bay.
• When joining a gym, watch for special rates, ask for friend referral coupons, and make sure you have a way to cancel your membership without penalty!
• Switch to whole grain cereals or oatmeal-buy in bulk/add low-fat milk, fruit instead of cereal bars, or skipping breakfast.

What are your favorite ways to save money while losing weight and getting fit?  Let us know your tips.

And to get you started, here is a link to a 2 bucks off for Soy milk by 8th Continental-I love the stuff! And it’s healthy too.

And if you need “Emergency Money Resuscitation” then go pick up my free E-book, filled with money-saving tips-did I say free.  You will then receive my e-mail mini-course on personal finance, and newsletter- all free.