Getting in shape on a budget

Your commitment to lose weight doesn't have to slim down your wallet too. If you're hesitant to shell out the money for a gym membership, there are plenty of low-cost alternatives to help you get fit and stay within your budget. Health clubs and gyms offer a wide variety of equipment, but you can get the same results at home with a few low-cost exercise products. The Mayo Clinic suggests making modest investments in dumbbells, jump ropes and resistance bands, which will maximize your workout.

Used to strengthen your upper body, dumbbells are convenient because the small, hand-held weights come in different sizes. Jump ropes can give you a great cardiovascular workout; they are also lightweight and easy to travel with. Resistance bands can be used with an array of upper and lower body exercises that are a good strengthening tool for your body.

Another good investment are exercise videos. They can recreate the feel of a health club aerobics class in your own living room. Many are good for improving flexibility, strength and your heart. Choose a tape that matches your current fitness level so that you don't get discouraged by exercises that are too hard or too easy.

To stay within your budget, try renting exercise tapes first from your local video store or borrowing one from the library to prevent boredom and to add variety to your workout. Then you can purchase the ones that you really like and that work for you.

The Clinic also suggests improvising with household items rather than buying equipment you can't afford. Filling empty milk or water bottles with water or sand (be sure to secure the top with duct tape) creates an inexpensive set of adjustable weights. Canned goods come in a variety of sizes and are easy to hold in your hands as weights. You can also put two 8-ounce cans in a pair of tube socks, tie the socks together and use the 1-pound "bag" as an ankle or hand weight.

For a cardiovascular workout, you don't necessarily need any special equipment. There are plenty of activities in your regular day that can become part of your exercise routine.

Walking is free and is an activity you can do almost anytime. If the weather is bad, walk briskly around the mall or in a museum. Sneak in extra steps whenever you can by parking farther away from stores or work. Also, opt to take the stairs instead of the elevators to add to your daily workout.

Use your children to stay fit. Don't just watch them play; join them for a game of tag or kickball.

Another way to get in shape is to tackle household chores. For instance, mow the lawn in the summer, shovel the snow in the winter and pick up the pace when vacuuming and sweeping.