[bdfull3r]

I haven't made any post in this section but i still try to stay in shape. And One thing i discovered is healthy food is an expensive habit. Compared to the cheap and easy option of mcdonalds or ramen, healthy food as a hell of premium.

Taking food out of the equation your left with healthier drinking, preferable water and more exercise. and old habits are hard to break. im not obese but im not in shape either and it is a hard thing to overcome

[belniente]

For me, price isn't too big a deal - if I buy the healthier more expensive fresh veggies and lean meats, and supplement with protein bars replacing a meal or two each day (~$1.50 a bar) it doesn't come out to all that much more than if I was eating junk (although of course nothing is as cheap as ramen).

The issue I have is preparation time - some days I feel like I can't even make time to exercise, much less make fresh home-cooked meals! I'm really lucky in that my mom is my roommate and likes having a job to do around the apartment, such as cooking, but man if I had to do the cooking I would literally only eat protein bars and greek yogurt. The protein bars I get are pretty tasty at least, and if eaten with a bottle of water they fill you right up.

Good luck with your efforts on improvement! I feel like hard doesn't even begin to describe the lifestyle changes healthy habits can require, but as long as we stick with it, change can happen.

[ba_hamilton]

It doesn't take much time to grill a chicken breast and throw a salad together. But it is hard to break life long habits. Start with reducing the amount of what you are currently eating. Drink a large glass of water before you sit down and eat. You will not eat as much. Don't eat after 6pm. Late night snacks are huge setbacks.

Protein bars and energy drinks are probably the worst thing you can consume unless you are running 35-50 miles a week. The fat and sugar content in those things are killers. You can't walk around the block and then consume an energy bar and expect to lose weight.

[belniente]

You do make a good point about the protein bars - you have to be really careful to choose the right one for your fitness level. The ones I use are 180 calories and 20g protein. Real food is definitely always better, but supplements can work if needed.

As for cooking being fast, well one breast and one salad sure, but usually I'm trying to get the whole day ready, in a tiny kitchen at the same time as my partner is trying to do the same. I won't lie, there are other options, but the one that works best for me is a mixed method, for now.

[jdwx]

Seems many protein bars are 20-30 grams of sugar/HFCS, I did find a great one at Sams Club (USA) Premeir name brand, that is 8 grams of actual sugar, no HFCS.

30 grams of protein tho...



Still, better to eat more natural and preferably organic things. But, in a pinch, these are tasty and effective.

[bdfull3r]

When you are broke and your five family home lives off of one income, it is really hard to be able to live healthy. Its just not financially feasible with the economy and lot of people, like me are having issues. I have a college degree and no one in my area wants to higher in my field. Its frustrating.

[snakeoil]

Fit can be expensive, true. But you can be frugal about that too, as some other people have already pointed out with eating.

I don't envy your position - five people and one income is not a pleasant way to live. I've been there too - I had a computer science degree and spent 13 months being the most overqualified technician at a Best Buy. *shudder* You will come out of it.

Assuming that your situation is temporary, its about momentum. Get started on something and keep it up for a few months, and you will not want to stop it. 30 minutes 3 times a week doing light cardio (walking, running, biking, etc) will do wonders for your health and well being. Don't fall for all the gadgetry out there - you can start running with just a pair of shoes, and not $200 specialty running store shoes.

The important thing is to prioritize. If you think you don't have 30 minutes three times a week, cut out 3 half hour TV shoes from your schedule. Or one American Idol - seriously, that show goes on forever! But schedule it like a TV show - every scheduled workout day, every scheduled time, no matter what.

And when your work situation improves, then spend some money on your fitness.

[GNex Girl]

I have a college degree and no one in my area wants to higher in my field. Its frustrating.

Hire. That is when it is time to move.

[parvezjj]

DEFINITELY! not just the food but the gym membership etc too.. drains the bank account

[GNex Girl]

When you are broke and your five family home lives off of one income, it is really hard to be able to live healthy.

Get back to basics, yep, that means grow your own food. Before you tell me that is ridiculous, guess what, I do it so I know it is not ridiculous. If there is a family of 5 and only 1 income, that means that 4 people do not work outside of the home.

Now I understand that 3 of those 4 who don't work are children, BUT, it was not that long ago that children were expected to work the fields on a farm in addition to going to school. I am not saying you live on a farm, neither do I, I grow my veggies in pots from seed. Takes a lot of work, but it is cheap and I eat good and healthy.

Children can water/fertilize plants, hoe, weed, etc. It is good for them to get off of the couch and out in the yard doing work. Read up on making a raised vegetable garden in your back yard. There are all kinds of techniques for maximizing space and all kinds of cheap ways to fertilize (composting, saving coffee grounds and egg shells, etc) and organic pest control (diluted dishwashing soap) but it takes workers and with a family of 5 and only 1 income, you have workers available.

People can grow their own food, I know, I do it in containers. I live in attached housing so if I can do it, so can you!

Remember how your grandmother used to can veggies in the summer for the winter? I do, and I do it! That is a great way to have inexpensive, good food to eat in the winter when the veggies are out of season. Learn to can. It is not a ridiculous idea. I know, I do it. The other 4 family members in your household who do not work outside the home can do it. Children can help, I know, when I was a kid, I had to help my grandmother can veggies in the summer. I went to the U-pick farms and picked vegetables with her in the summer. Your kids can do it, too.

[Kinglo]

I haven't made any post in this section but i still try to stay in shape. And One thing i discovered is healthy food is an expensive habit. Compared to the cheap and easy option of mcdonalds or ramen, healthy food as a hell of premium.

Taking food out of the equation your left with healthier drinking, preferable water and more exercise. and old habits are hard to break. im not obese but im not in shape either and it is a hard thing to overcome

Ramen Noodles + Chicken breasts + bag of stir fry vegetables. = Quick ,Cheap ,Easy Meal. Cook the chicken boil the noodles throw it all in a large frying pan and stir fry it. I lived off that combo and variations of it for 2 years. If you need motivation to not go to mcdonald's Google "Pink Slime."

[NEDNERBISH]

Bla bla bla stay in shape, bla bla bla. All of you quit your whining, this is an ANDROID chat not an "oh my VA Jay Jay hurts" one. now just shut it and go get some damn McyDs'!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

[Kinglo]

As a reminder to everyone. DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS. If it does not get a response, it will move off and try elsewhere. That is all.

[Joel S.]

I haven't made any post in this section but i still try to stay in shape. And One thing i discovered is healthy food is an expensive habit. Compared to the cheap and easy option of mcdonalds or ramen, healthy food as a hell of premium.

Taking food out of the equation your left with healthier drinking, preferable water and more exercise. and old habits are hard to break. im not obese but im not in shape either and it is a hard thing to overcome

This is a myth, really. You can get a bag of frozen chicken, some fresh veggies and a bag for rice for about $15 from the local store. That will last you a few days, lunch included. $15 worth of crap from McDonalds will net you 2-3 meals, tops.

I spent $11 on a few things at the store the other day, and had substantial meals for 3 days. I still have some leftovers actually...

You have to budget it out a bit better, but eating healthy primarily means COOKING your own food, and doing so with a mind toward healthy (grilling is arguably one of the healthiest forms of cooking, and it's sooooo good, and easy). Once you get the base stuff you need to cook at home, it's way way cheaper than eating out/crap all the time.

[bdfull3r]

This is a myth, really. You can get a bag of frozen chicken, some fresh veggies and a bag for rice for about $15 from the local store. That will last you a few days, lunch included. $15 worth of crap from McDonalds will net you 2-3 meals, tops.

I spent $11 on a few things at the store the other day, and had substantial meals for 3 days. I still have some leftovers actually...

You have to budget it out a bit better, but eating healthy primarily means COOKING your own food, and doing so with a mind toward healthy (grilling is arguably one of the healthiest forms of cooking, and it's sooooo good, and easy). Once you get the base stuff you need to cook at home, it's way way cheaper than eating out/crap all the time.

I have NO grilling skills, lol my cooking skills in general consist of microwave and drive through

[GNex Girl]

eating healthy primarily means COOKING your own food, and doing so with a mind toward healthy (grilling is arguably one of the healthiest forms of cooking, and it's sooooo good, and easy). Once you get the base stuff you need to cook at home, it's way way cheaper than eating out/crap all the time.

Soooooo true! Meal planning and finding recipes takes a bit of time/work, but it is so worth it.

[Joel S.]

I have NO grilling skills, lol my cooking skills in general consist of microwave and drive through

If you're a guy, we might have to revoke your man card...

It's easy, really... one of the easier forms of cooking. I have a cast iron griddle, not as good as a grill, but it's similar.

Practice, there are tricks to tell if the meat is done without jabbing it with a fork or knife.

Trust me, you should really work on it, it's healthy, and really really good.

[jackalan996]

yes you have to spend much money on fitness.
fruits and vegetables and other exercise expensive are high...
to manage these expensive is very hard...