There is an alarming trend that shows no signs of slowing down. America is getting fatter and the statistics are not encouraging. The latest figures have one third or 33.8% of all the adults in the U.S. as being obese. Now this figure didn’t factor in those who are simply overweight and not quite in the obese category. No matter how you slice it, a lot of people have a problem with their weight.

When you survey people who are in dire need to lose weight, you will be bombarded with excuses. “I’m too busy”. “Gym membership is expensive”. The justifications keep on coming. But even if all of these are true, you still have to put in the effort if you want to be healthier.

Read on as we give you tips on how to juggle running a household and getting in shape. Daniela Baker from CreditDonkey says, you’ll find out that you don’t need to max out your credit card on a fancy gym membership to get in shape.

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• Walking is still the most effective workout. You can do it anywhere and at any time, and it’s free. Try to make a habit of leaving your car in the garage when going short distances. Not only will you save on gas, but you squeeze in a workout every time you do. Some might think that walking a few meters several times a day is not really a workout. Those people would be wrong. Every step adds up and for an unfit individual, going straight to more strenuous activities might not be the best thing. Walking is friendlier to your knees – a real concern for overweight people trying to turn things around. Even scouring the grocery aisles for great deals will have you walking your way to health. Give it a try.
• Do your chores with a little more intensity. Try going about your daily boring routine with a spring in your step. Cleaning up or doing yard work can work up quite a sweat if you increase the pace. Not only will you burn more calories, you’ll also finish a lot quicker. This leaves a bigger part of your day free to enjoy the little things that matter.
• There are tons of free exercise “classes” out there. You don’t have to go to a gym to attend aerobics classes. A quick search on YouTube will yield exercise routines to fit all levels and goals. The beauty of this is that you control the time and not have to work around other people’s schedules. Hook up your computer to your living room TV, clear some furniture and go.
• Look at used exercise equipment. A home gym on a budget might just be the thing you need. There are lots of used equipment out there and most of them can be had for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Look for them in eBay or other similar sites. You may also want to try sourcing them out locally as exercise equipment tend to be heavy and bulky. You don’t want to pay more for shipping than the cost of the item itself. You can start out with just a stationary bike or treadmill. Nothing fancy. As long as it’s still in good shape, it can do its job. Then, you can maybe add in some weights as you get more serious. Dedicate an unused room, the garage, or the basement and add equipment as your fitness level improves.
• Try your hand at sports. A lot of parents are forced to give up playing something they love when the demands of having a family becomes a full-time affair. There are lots of sports that require minimal equipment and can be played at any level. You can even take up a sport with your kids. Depending on how young your kids are, you can all buy bikes and go riding on trails. You get to enjoy the great outdoors and each other’s company. Instead of being a typical “soccer mom”, why not actually play soccer?
• Having kids is exercise enough. Anybody who said chasing around a toddler isn’t hard is either an elite lever athlete or someone who simply doesn’t have a kid. Many busy moms actually underestimate the amount of exercise they get on a typical day between doing chores and looking after their kids.

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Being busy or having to stick to a limited budget is never an excuse to let yourself go. Being a parent means people are depending on you. Having health problems will make it much more difficult – sometimes even impossible – to do your job as a mom. You actually have lots of options if you are serious about fitness. Don’t fall into the mindset that getting in shape requires a lot of time and money. All you need is creativity, an open mind, and the willingness to persevere.