How to work harder but cheaper in 2023

New fitness gadgets are nice, but you don't need them to start your fitness journey this year

After hearing that I was hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, a man in the know enthusiastically suggested that I invest in this great portable oxygen mask that "all the athletes use." Of course I laughed at the idea. Although the four-day trek to Machu Picchu is not easy for a sea-level dweller like me, it is not exactly the summit of Everest, which is more than 4,000 meters higher than the highest point of the Peruvian trail. Supplemental oxygen would be a little overkill, especially since I have no breathing problems.

 

However, his reaction is not unusual. Not because he doesn't know much about hiking, but because nowadays there is a perception that buying the latest fitness equipment and gadgets will somehow help us build muscle, lose weight faster or learn a new skill better. To further prove my point, he later announced that he was going to learn to ride a motorcycle and would start by buying a boat with the accessories he claimed he "needed" for the lessons.

 

In fact, much like an unused gym membership, many of us spend all that money on fitness equipment that just sits on the dust. Unless we're professional athletes training for a competition or climbing a notoriously difficult peak that has killed hundreds of people, we really don't need to spend a lot of money to stay active and get in shape. The COVID pandemic has proven that many of us don't even need an expensive gym membership to reach our fitness goals.

 

In fact, last year was the fittest of my entire adult life as I trained for my trek by climbing our local 233-step staircase daily (LA is inconspicuously known for its hidden historic staircases) and hiking 10 miles a day on the weekends. both cost me a whopping $0. Not only did I lose a lot of those extra pounds, but I was stronger, healthier, and could breathe better.

Fitness Resolution 1: Stop buying the latest fitness gadgets for motivation

Don't get me wrong: fitness equipment and gadgets are absolutely necessary for certain exercise programs and to achieve certain goals. But if you're starting your fitness resolution this year by spending a lot of money on an expensive smart studio mirror or buying one of the best smartwatches, you're already going in the wrong direction.

 

Sure, these things may initially motivate you to exercise. But most people give up on their New Year's resolutions after just 17.8 days, according to research published in the International Journal of Public Health (opens in new tab). And that shiny new toy will eventually lose its luster if you don't enter your fitness journey with the right mindset and the right exercise for you.

 

For example, I had an exercise bike under my desk that I hardly used and I ended up giving it to a neighbor. The reason I got it was because I spent long hours working at my desk and it was a promising way to stay active while still being at the keyboard. But it never really worked for me. If anything, it only distracted me, which in turn slowed me down - a literal waste of time.

 

Fitness solution 2: Use public facilities

For example, climbing the neighborhood stairs and walking the trails around Los Angeles has worked well for me because I love being outside. I've supplemented these activities by practicing at home with free YouTube workout videos and a $12.99/month (opens in new tab) membership to Find What Feels Good (some of Yoga by Adrienne's videos are also free on YouTube, by the way).

 

All I needed to complete my workout plan were my Apple Watch Series 6, which I already owned, and a pair of $30 JLab Go Air Sport workout headphones, which I found to be much more reliable and less painful than the expensive Beats Fit . Pro and my Apple Music subscription for $10.99 per month.

 

This totally beat my $200+ per month pre-pandemic pilates studio membership, which only gave me four one-hour sessions per month. Of course, I'm not saying you shouldn't invest in the right gear, but you also don't need to spend $1,400 plus $12.99 a month on the Peloton Bike program to get in shape.

 

In addition to taking the stairs and paths this year, I will also improve my swimming skills (I love swimming and being in the water, but I'm not a strong swimmer) by visiting public pools, which should only cost about $5-$10 per visit.

 

It's worth noting that while some gym memberships are expensive, there are others that will only cost you $10 a month (in addition to the annual membership fee that most gyms also have). However, if you want to skip the gym this year like I did, either because of the toxic gym culture or because anything in your area is so damn expensive right now, there are also public exercise parks and outdoor gyms that are free. each to use. You just have to do your research.

 

Fitness Resolution 3: Eat healthier

Even if you spend two hours a day working out, all that hard work won't matter if you eat crap. It also depends on what you put in your body, and eating takeout and/or fast food every day will still set you back, especially if you're hoping to lose weight.

 

This year you should also spend more time preparing healthier meals at home with more vegetables and less meat. Not only does this help you eat a more balanced and nutritious diet because you know and have more control over what ingredients you use, but you save a lot of money because vegetables cost less than meat and paying $15 to $25 per meal on top of delivery fees and gratuity.

 

This should not only help you reach your fitness goals, but also help you significantly reduce your weekly food bill, saving you even more money.