How to Drop Fat When You’re on a Budget

If you’ve been looking for ways to shed some excess pounds and fit into your favorite clothes again, you’ve probably done the calculations for gym memberships, meal delivery, and even creating a home gym. The reality is that no matter what you do, you’ll have to spend time, money, or both to get results. However, dropping fat doesn’t have to break your wallet, and you can do it on a budget.

Consider weight loss medication

There’s no easier way to lose fat and keep it off than by taking medication. Although the results come fast and easy, it’s not a “quick fix.” No matter how you lose weight, lifestyle changes are required to support long-term results and optimize your health. With that said, weight loss medication is ideal when you’re on a budget for the following reasons:

You don’t always need a prescription to get meds online. In some cases, you don’t need to get a prescription from your doctor first to get medication online. A good telehealth provider will take care of everything. For example, you can get semaglutide online without a prescription. As Jessica Snyder, RD from Futurhealth explains, their telehealth physicians will administer an assessment to see if you qualify, and if you do, they’ll prescribe the medication that will help you reach your goals.
You might be able to get the cost covered. If you’re interested in trying a medication like Ozempic, it’s worth asking your doctor if they think you can get it covered.
Medication is easy to administer. While the most popular weight loss medications are injectable, there are also pills you can take. Although, subcutaneous injections are extremely easy to self-administer without pain.
Medication greatly reduces hunger. One of the biggest barriers to weight loss is getting hit with hunger and feeling like you need to eat between meals, or eat foods you know will ruin your progress. With medications like Ozempic, your hunger will be drastically reduced. You won’t feel the need to snack constantly, and the meals you eat will be significantly smaller.
When you eat less, you’ll spend less on junk food. Since weight loss medication will reduce your appetite, you’ll end up spending far less money on junk food, including fast food and snacks. Since you don’t want to spike your blood sugar on weight loss medication, you’ll have to stop buying sodas, energy drinks, candy, and carbohydrate-heavy foods. This can save you hundreds of dollars every month. The average American household spends $850 per year on soda, $1,000 per year on energy drinks, and $1200 per year on fast food. That figure doesn’t include junk food that comes from the grocery store.

When you follow your medication’s protocol, you’ll start cooking healthy meals for yourself and your family, which makes it the perfect time to stop buying junk food for your entire household. Healthy food isn’t expensive when you shop smart and plan your meals. Saving money while getting healthier is one of the best benefits of weight loss medication.

Work out at home

At first glance, a gym membership might not seem that expensive. You can expect to pay between $15 and $60 per month, depending on the gym and location. Some gyms also have annual fees and sign-up fees. However, there are far more costs associated with joining a gym than just the membership fees.

First of all, no matter how perfectly you plan your workouts, it will always take longer than your actual workout. It takes time to drive to and from the gym, and there’s a good chance you’ll have to wait for a machine a few times throughout your workout. You’ll also need to take a shower, either at the gym or when you get home. If the drive is 25 minutes each way, an hour-long workout can easily take over two hours out of your day. If you have a side hustle and need your free time to earn more money, that extra hour is a massive financial sacrifice.

A good solution is to build a small home gym. You won’t have to pay for a gym membership or gas or sacrifice your time just to stay in shape. You don’t even need fancy equipment. All you need are some dumbbells, a barbell, some plates, resistance bands, and door anchors. You can get a great workout with flat bands in just ten minutes a day, and you can lift heavier by using a foot plate.

Get in shape the smart way

Losing fat on a budget is not only possible, but can also be easy with the right approach. By focusing on affordable options, eliminating unnecessary expenses, and guarding your personal time, you can get the results you want without breaking the bank.