With the cost of living still high, we round up 12 ways we can all feel great and stay fit without spending a fortune

1 – Join A Walking Group

We know walking is great exercise – but if you’re on your own, you might find it dull, or hard to motivate yourself to go in the first place! A walking group is a great way to make sure you’re adding to that step count. Walking groups are sociable, too, so you’ll be able to enjoy a good natter and make new friends into the bargain. Use Facebook or Google to find a group in your area, or round up your own pals!

Read: KEGEL EXERCISE FOR MEN – Health and Wellness Blog

2 – Find Free Fitness Workouts

Check out YouTube for free classes from qualified instructors. We love Yoga With Adriene – she has more than 12 million subscribers and almost 700 videos to choose from. Just be aware of your form (position) and don’t overdo it. The beauty is that you can always rewind to see trickier moves. “You don’t have to be ‘good’ at yoga to feel the benefits of it,” says Adriene. “You just need to show up.”

Read : Best Workout To Boost Metabolism

3 – Buy Wonky Veg

We shouldn’t care if peppers aren’t perfectly shaped, or carrots look a bit crazy. They still taste great, especially if you use your imagination. All supermarkets have wonky ranges and they are brilliant for tight budgets. “Wonky fruit and veg will have the same nutritional value and taste as their ‘pleasing-to-the-eye’ equivalent. Do your normal checks; no mould, no squidgy parts and go for it while saving money,” says dietitian Alison Clark of the British Dietetic Association (bda.uk.com). Chop up a selection of wonky veg, chuck it into a roasting dish, drizzle with oil, spices and maybe a touch of soy sauce, and roast. Nutritious, delicious and cheap.

Read: Exercise, Bike Riding and Prostate Health

4 – Think About Mental Health

Sometimes we neglect our mental health. Get into the habit of making time for mindful moments. Try to sit down somewhere quiet and try visualisation – think of your “happy place”, or take some deep breaths in and out. These simple free tips can really make a difference.

5 – Shake Up Your Social Life

Meeting friends for a meal out is a treat but if it becomes the norm, it can hit your bank balance and health hard! So how about suggesting a restorative spa day at home where every person brings their favourite beauty treats, you all try them out and give each other a manicure? Or try a board games night!

6 – Pile Your Plate With Healthy Protein

Protein helps to fill us up and is good for energy, bone and muscle. A steak is protein-packed but expensive and we shouldn’t eat too much red meat. Get creative with pulses. Try dahl, made with cooked lentils, onion, garlic, canned tomatoes, coconut cream and turmeric or curry powder. Soften onion and garlic in oil, add remaining ingredients and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Read: Eat healthy using the food pyramid?

7 – Delicious!

Plan Ahead For Quality Snacks Buying snacks on the go can be expensive – and it’s easy to load up on temptations that aren’t nutritious.

Get organised and take your own.

“You will be in control of the sugar, fat and salt content. You also have the freedom to mix and match your snacks to add variety into your diet too, which helps your micro biome and avoids taste fatigue – not to mention saving money!” says Alison Clark.

Her suggestions for portable snacks include a container filled with:

• Almonds – bought in bulk, they can be as cheap as 18p per serving of 30g
• Mixed fruit
• Popcorn, mixed with dried fruit for sweetness
• Hummus, with either veg sticks or breadsticks

8 – Get Clever With Cooking

Making something super-healthy and tasty for your evening meal? Double up on ingredients and freeze portions, or use leftovers for lunch next day. Set yourself a target to cut down on food waste, too.

9- Try To Get A Good Night’s Sleep

We say “try” because sometimes it’s easier said than done! Wide awake? Try 4-2-4 breathing. Take a slow breath in through your nose for a count of four, hold for two and then breathe out through your mouth for a count of four and repeat.

10 – Be Strict With Yourself!

Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry. You’ll spend more, and somehow lots of unhealthy treats will sneak their way into your trolley! They’re fine in moderation, of course, but if you’re serious about your wellbeing, make a list, buy healthily, – and the hardest bit of all – stick to what you actually need!

11 – Look After Your Lower Back

Back pain will affect 80% of us at some point and it’s often the lower back. Try rolling a towel and placing it at the bottom of your back when sitting in your car or at a desk. Or lie down and place a rolled towel in the small of your back for a few minutes, to relieve pressure.

12 – Workout Treat Yourself To New Styles

If you lack motivation, it’s amazing how a new workout look or pair of trainers can help you to get moving! Kit can be expensive, but there are bargains to be found on sites like Vinted and eBay, including new or barely worn items. It’s a more climate friendly way to buy, too!