Author: Jennifer McGregor
When it comes to dealing with chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease in older adults, it’s typical for physicians to recommend maintaining a healthy weight. This is not always easy, especially if you’re on a budget, but it can be done. Nouflex presents a few ways you can safely lose weight as part of a healthy lifestyle while keeping your costs under control.
Know Your Nutritional Needs
Before beginning any exercise or lifestyle change, consult with a physician first to ensure that you’re losing weight safely. Luckily, this doesn’t have to mean a trip to the doctor. Instead, you can book an appointment online with a doctor for a virtual visit, with same-day appointments available and most insurance accepted. You pay only a copay with insurance, or if you don’t have insurance, doctors visits are still affordable. When it comes to your health, it’s always worth it.
While your nutritional requirements will change throughout the years, there are things you can do to eat well starting today. To ensure that you’re getting what you need, you should incorporate foods like milk, cheese, and green leafy vegetables into your diet. Having fruit and fish are also a good way to add vitamins C and D to your diet.
Plan Your Meals on a Budget
While you’re catering to your nutritional needs, it’s best to plan your meals instead of eating out. If you’re not sure where to start, looking at sample menus could be helpful. According to Money Management International, you can save money when you’re shopping for groceries by sticking to a shopping list. Make sure to shop on discount days and use coupons where possible. If you don’t have reliable transportation, consider shopping online. This can open up more avenues for saving as some stores offer additional discounts online.
You should also look into food benefits programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which can help you buy the food you need. Most towns also have food pantries, soup kitchens, and programs, like Meals On Wheels, that assist older people in meeting their nutritional needs. Something else to consider is that many registered dietitians also accept insurance. If you are on a budget and need nutritional guidance, contact your insurance provider to find out if this is a benefit.
Cut Down on the Bad Stuff
Apart from avoiding foods that are high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, you should also cut down on your alcohol intake. According to Healthline, drinking alcohol regularly interferes with weight loss because it adds empty calories to your diet. When you drink, it also affects your judgment and you may not stick to your balanced diet. Additionally, alcohol will negatively impact your digestive system which means your body won’t absorb the nutrients well.
Cutting out alcohol will also save you money that you can put towards healthier activities. Make sure you cut down on sugary drinks as well, and replace them with water as much as possible (buy an inexpensive reusable bottle to stay on top of your water intake). Unlike alcohol, water helps your body burn calories and control your appetite.
Exercise the Way You Like
It’s pretty impossible to maintain a healthy weight without incorporating exercise into your routine. Since you’re on a budget, you can go for a walk in a nearby park or around your neighborhood. Transforming a room in the house into a dedicated workout space is a great idea, especially one that can double as a meditation room. Meditation reduces stress and getting comfortable with solitude encourages creativity.
For the days when you’d prefer to be at home, the Nouflex Training System works with resistance bands, which is super easy on the muscles and great for rehabilitation. The system is easy to use at home, or if you prefer, you can work with one of their professional trainers. Sign up for a free consultation.
As an older adult, keeping your weight at a healthy point is essential to maintaining your overall wellness. Eating properly and exercising consistently is the way to safe, healthy weight loss. You can do this while you’re on a budget by getting creative and taking advantage of assistance programs or discounts.
