6 Ways To Lose Weight For Free

One of my goals for 2013 is to lose 13 pounds (and not gain it back).  My weight generally hovers between 125 and 135, and right now it is at the 133 range.  Though still within my 'normal' weight, I am feeling slightly pudgy and I don't like that feeling one bit!  Losing 13 pounds will put me at the 120 mark, which would be a really healthy weight for me.  In fact, that weight would put me at a BMI (body mass index) of 22, which is considered the most healthy BMI level for my height.

So I want to lose weight but I do not want it to be hard, nor do I want it to cost me any money!  Remember folks, I am cheap!  I know people who want to lose weight so they join fancy gyms, buy nice workout clothes (so they fit in at the fancy gyms), buy expensive diet food, etc... and they still don't lose much weight.  So why should I waste my money?  I've examined my life and easily found six relatively easy things I could be doing that would help me melt away the pounds... for free!

1.)  Use the free gym at work.  We have a gym in our office building with all the basic equipment you really need.  I know people who pay $50 a month or more for access to a gym, so I really out to take advantage of this free perk my employer offers.  Does your employer offer a free workout area or free membership to a local gym?  If so, you have no excuse not to be using it!

2.)  Park far away and walk.  Walking is great free exercise that many of us forget about.  I like to try to find the best parking spots I can, especially in the winter when it is cold and windy!  Parking farther away not only forces me to burn more calories, it also mean my car is less likely to get damaged by people walking by.  Do you do this?  Why or why not?

3.)  Utilize my Wii and Wii Fit Plus.  Shortly after I got my Wii I also got a Wii Fit Plus.  For anyone who hasn't heard of a Wii Fit Plus, it is a fun program that lets you do all kinds of interactive exercises, many taking place on a relaxing island setting.  It is a lot of fun and a great calorie burner.  Since I already have this, I have no excuse for not using this free form of exercise more often.  Does anyone else love their Wii Fit Plus like I do?

4.)  Watch my food intake.  Seriously, I really like food so sometimes it is easy for me to eat too much!  I also have a bad relationship with sweets!  In fact, I actually try - for the most part - not to keep sweets and snack foods in my house because when they are there I tend to gorge.  Being careful not to overeat is an easy and free way to loose weight.

5.)  Eat a lot of fruits and veggies.  I struggle with this one but eating fruits and veggies fills me up with "good calories" so that I do not feel the need to fill up on foods that aren't so good for me.  This is obviously a habit that I need to form, but fortunately it doesn't cost money to form a good habit such as this.  As vegetable gardening is one of my hobbies, I have no excuse for not stepping up my game a little where healthy eating is concerned.

6.)  Learn how to do Weight Watchers for free.  Actually, I have done this before and it worked.  I might start doing it again after the holidays.  Weight Watchers is a great program for helping people lose weight in a safe and proven way.  However, it is also very expensive to join.  Luckily, a simple web search will yield you with all you need to know about following the WW program, without having to pay an expensive membership fee or buying pricey food.  Once you learn how to count points and determine your point allowance, you can follow the plan on your own!

Do you have a weight loss goal for 2013?  How much do you want to lose and how to you plan to do it?  Any tips for losing weight on a budget?