Getting Fit

Free Weight Loss

Watching your waistline while keeping an eye on your budget

-Susan Crandell

You can spend a little or a lot to shed some unwanted pounds this swimsuit season. These days, free weight loss ideas--or those that cost just a little--are sounding better and better. Here are the things to consider when devising your weight-loss plan.

Don't rely on supplements. Supplements that promise to aid in weight loss will definitely add to the cost of your diet, they may not add to your success, and some have been proven to be downright dangerous. Instead, get back to basics and a do-it-yourself approach.

Go local. Check out weight-loss support groups at your YMCA, local library or community center, which should be cheap--or even free.

Try the buddy system. Start a weight-loss plan with a few friends. You can share recipes, cheer each other on and hold each other accountable.

Surf for recipes. Look for low-calorie recipes online. The Food Network has a list of 100. Epicurious.com  has low-cal recipes elegant enough for entertaining.

Shop smart. To avoid impulse buys, never go to the supermarket without a list. Shop the circular or the supermarket web site before you go to the store, and plan meals around what's on sale that week. Fresh produce is a costly part of a healthy diet, so check out what's on special.

Use coupons. But be careful that they really represent savings, not an excuse to buy expensive packaged foods. Coupons.com has hundreds of printable coupons online; also check out RetailMeNot.com  and SelectCouponProgram.com.

Burn calories for free. You don't need a gym membership to boost your metabolism. Housework can burn 200 calories an hour, lawn mowing 300 plus. Walking, hiking and cycling are other no-charge calorie expenders.

For more moneysaving fitness and grocery-shopping tips, check out: Cheapskate Workouts and Coupon Queen: "I Saved $211"

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