Get healthy on a budget!

Feeling a bit stuffed and unhealthy after Christmas? Is getting fit and healthy your resolution for the New Year? Find out how to do it on a shoestring.

After the indulgences of the festive season, it's hardly surprising thousands of people vow to get fit and healthy at the start of a new year. But the trouble is, personal trainers, fancy gyms and exotic health foods aren't particularly kind to your wallet. 

But don't let that put a stop to your new healthy living regime. It's easy to get fit on a shoestring. Just check out my top tips on eating well, exercising and saving money all at the same time. Your budget will be as trim as you are!

Your new diet

Water

My first tip is easy and free: drink more water. Experts recommend you sip your way through eight glasses a day. This will help digestion as well as improving your skin. Headaches and fatigue are often signs of dehydration, so you'll feel heaps better if you start increasing your water intake. And don't waste your money on bottled water. There's absolutely nothing wrong with water from the tap.

Cheaper superfoods

Don't give up on superfoods even if you wouldn't know a goji berry or spirulina if it jumped onto your plate. There are plenty of cheap, everyday foods which are packed full of nutrients.

Get in a good supply of apples, oranges and bananas and vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants which protect cells in the body against damage from free radicals. This can protect against which heart disease and cancer, while helping to keep your immune system healthy.

Apples also contain pectin which can reduce levels of blood cholesterol. Bananas are jam-packed with potassium which helps to lower blood pressure, and vitamin B6 which promotes healthy skin and hair. And don't forget to pick up a few cans of good old baked beans - great for protein, fibre, iron and calcium.

Porridge is also a great choice for a hot breakfast which is cheap with no added salt or sugar. While tinned oily fish like sardines and salmon can be cheaper than buying fresh fish. These products have a long shelf-life and are quick and easy to prepare, plus you'll still get the benefit omega 3 fats which are good for your heart.

Once you've put together your supercheap superfood shopping list, make sure you buy it at the cheapest supermarket. You can compare prices at MySupermarket. Of course, buying fruit online doesn't give you the chance to check how ripe it is. You could get round that by visiting a local food market where you might be able to save a few extra pennies too. Find a local farmer's market here.

If you can cope without fresh food, remember tinned fruit and frozen vegetables tend to be cheaper, but are just as nutritious. You can also save on waste by only using what you need. You should also join our Cut your food bills goal for all the help you need to keep your grocery shopping as low cost as possible.

Recipes

Once easy way to eat well on a budget is to plan your meals, and make them yourself using low cost ingredients. Check out our own excellent series of Frugal recipes. You could also try Netmums for cheap and healthy recipes for the family and the Good Food Channel for other budget food ideas.

If you find you have a lots of leftovers, check out LoveFoodHateWaste for recipes which make good use of all the scraps lying about in your fridge.

Grow your own

For an even more economical option, try growing your own produce. Not only will you be guaranteed fruit and vegetables which are 100% organic, you'll also know exactly what you're eating. Tending to your crop might be a bit of fun too.

But to avoid disappointment, get some advice from the Royal Horticultural Society on how you can enjoy home grown produce all year round. You can also get tips on techniques for growing fresh food from the BBC.

Your new exercise regime

Get fit for free!

We all know gyms can be a rip-off but you can take advantage of their facilities with a free one day pass. Check out FreeGymMembership to find out which major chains have special offers right now.

If you have a spare room you could even turn it into a home gym. This doesn't have to be as pricey as it sounds. For example, you could try getting free gym or sports equipment by signing up to your local Freegle group where people in your area can give away items they no longer want.

Green Gyms

It's pretty obvious you can save heaps of cash by walking, cycling or going for a run. There's absolutely nothing wrong with any of these activities, but you might fancy something a bit more unusual. I think Green Gyms fit the bill perfectly.

Green Gym is a conservation project which helps you get fit and help the environment at the same time. Gyms are running up and down the country and are completely free to join. Find a Green Gym in your local area.

One for the girls

Meanwhile the girls should take a look at Sweaty Betty's Get Fit 4 Free campaign, which takes place every January (and September). You'll be offered free training and advice on taking up a new sport. And don't miss the Get Fit 4 Free videos on core strength, ballet, running and boxercise.

Frugal workouts

In fact, there are plenty of frugal workouts you can download online for free. Just check out all the exercise and dance videos on Youtube.com or the tips on websites like Fit Map and Net Fit.

And don't forget to look out for free fitness classes which are on offer in your area, or local facilities you can use for free such as tennis or basketball courts. Your local council is a good place to look for details.

If you need more help on getting healthy on a budget, race over to Q and A where you can ask other lovemoney.com readers for hints on what worked for them.

Good luck! Here's to a healthier, wealthier you in 2010.

More: 15 things you can get for free | Live a life of luxury - on a budget!