Give Yourself, Not Your Budget, a Workout

Staying healthy can definitely be more expensive than not staying healthy. Organic food always costs more, but it’s better for you.

Working out is definitely necessary, and in Grafton does offer regular deals, such as the no-enrollment fee offer for the month of August.  But what if you are looking for a different way to exercise this fall for less?

Running and walking are of course, obvious choices and are totally free. Whether you do laps around Nelson Park or just around your neighborhood, all you need are sneakers and a pocket of free time.

Fitness experts say even a brisk, 15-minute stroll has benefits. If you find a friend to walk with, you can multitask and catch up with their news at the same time.

Just make sure you walk with someone who matches your walking pace, or it turns into too much chatting, not enough calorie burning!

If you prefer bike riding but don’t have a bicycle, offers not only rental bikes but also places you can ride at www.TrekStop.com. The bike shop also has group rides, such as its 90-minute Thursday morning beginners’ ride, weather permitting.

Seniors can check out the fitness opportunities at such as chair yoga, line dancing and Tai Chi. Call the center at (508) 839-9242 to find out more. Or borrow an exercise DVD from the Grafton Public Library to do at home.

Opportunities to strengthen muscles and work the heart may already be part of your routine. Taking the kids to the playground at Norcross Park? You can multitask and get in some toning time.

Tricep dips can be done on a bench or picnic table; swing sets or play structures probably include a perfect pull-up bar; or you can do platform step-ups on a bench. Yard work is a great workout, especially raking leaves or trimming shrubs, and with the storm clean-up, there is probably plenty of opportunity.

Pumping up your exercise input may mean looking no further than your recycle bin. You can make weights out of old milk jugs by filling two empty half-gallon or gallon milk jugs with sand or water.

“You can raise them to work your biceps or hold them by your side while doing walking lunges,” the website Livingfrugaltips.com advises.

Remember, when it comes to exercise, it all adds up, but doesn’t have to add expenses to your budget. And it sure can pay off in the long run.