Many people struggle with maintaining a healthy weight. We live in a culture of high stress, busy schedules, and quick fixes, so it’s no wonder that so many of us compromise on healthy practices just to get through our weeks. If you are one of those people who wants to live a healthier lifestyle and possibly lose a few pounds in the process, then check out these budget-friendly and proven tips from Drink JIN JIN.

1. Buy Yourself Some Snazzy New Workout Gear

If you need to pick up some new workout wear to motivate yourself to get moving, there’s nothing wrong with that! Before you splurge on all of those items in your cart, however, be sure to check for promo codes and coupons that can save you some cash.

It can also be helpful to keep in mind that buying quality workout clothes is almost always a more economical choice than picking up cheaper gear. In fact, one of the secrets to shopping stores like Lululemon is to be aware of their generous return and quality promise policies to justify those £100 leggings.

2. Pick Some Healthy Meals Out of Your Pantry

Are you still stocking canned goods and nonperishables? If so, there’s no shame in your game! If you’re struggling to find ways to work your pantry staples into your weekly meal plan, having a few tried and true recipes can help.

Simply add veggies to that boring box of mac n’ cheese and you have a wholesome and tasty meal even the little ones will approve of, but don’t stop there. From a black bean quesadilla to spinach tortellini soup, there’s no shortage of options, and these meals are as easy as they are healthy, and there are plenty of options to choose from when you’re avoiding soy. Of course, if you don’t feel like lifting a finger, you can have healthy and economical meals delivered from sources like Gousto, Riverford, and The Cookaway.

3. Make Your Home a Healthy Space

Finding the time to hit the gym can feel like a real challenge, but it’s worth the extra effort. While it is true that juggling childcare, projects, and Zoom meetings for work can be exhausting, you should still be able to find a few minutes each day for a home workout.

If you need a little more motivation, aside from those cute leggings you just bought, try sampling some of the free online workouts. You can find everything from yoga to HIIT to kid-friendly workouts, all taught by world-renowned trainers and fitness experts. There’s even a 7-minute option, but if even that seems like too long you can also try one of these 5-minute workouts.

You can also take steps to make your home a low-stress environment. Start by decluttering and cleaning, as both are shown to increase your mood. Then, add in some plants and natural lighting. Even when we can’t be outside, adding these elements lets us reap the benefits of nature for our bodies (yes! Get some vitamin D) and mental wellbeing.

4. Spend Time, But Not Money, on Your Self-Care

You know we couldn’t talk about losing weight and feeling great without also talking about self-care! That’s because relieving stress is one of the secrets to shedding those unwanted pounds, but all too many people miss out on this all-important step.

When you’re anxious and stressed, like everyone is right now, your body tends to produce hormones that make you crave all of those delicious high-carb comfort foods. What’s worse, when you feel extra stressed you’re also more likely to overindulge those cravings, which can derail your weight loss efforts. Instead, try out the naturally fermented enzyme drink from Drink Jin-Jin. It is made from produce, mushrooms, and cultures that maintain your gut health. And science is revealing more benefits every day of a healthy gut, including weight loss.

If you are serious about letting go of that extra weight, you need to get serious about your self-care. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend a fortune, however, since there are plenty of totally free and effective self-care and stress relieving tricks you can try at home, like a good soak in the tub or taking a much-coveted nap.

Take Steps Towards a Healthier You

If you’ve put on a few extra pounds, your first move should be to cut yourself some slack. Life can get stressful, and we don’t always respond in the healthiest ways. When you’re ready to get back on track to eat healthier and lose those extra pounds, just refer to this budget-friendly guide!

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Guest Author: Ashley McLean

"Ashley hopes her YoungMoms site will offer you practical support and a sense of community — it’s true when they say it takes a village to raise a child, and the YoungMoms team is here to be part of yours."