How do I lose weight when I dont have much money?

Question

I am trying to lose weight, but most diets thesedays recommend high protein diets, eating lots of fresh fish, lean meats and so on, however, this is expensive. I dont have much money, so most of my diet is based around bread, pasta and rice. Is it still possible to lose weight on a high carb diet?

Answer 1

Yes eat less

Answer 2

Although some people suggest and promote high carb diets you need to appreciate that dieting is about burning more calories and fat than you consume.

With this in mind it's kinda important to point out that bread is very calorific mainly because it's very sugary (just stick a bit on your tongue for a few minutes and you'll think you are eating a sweet)
You can try introducing some vegetables into your diet. In the past I've found salad's can be quite filling and yet are low on calories and saturated fats.

Another thing to try is drinking lots of water as it makes you feel full... and when you feel full you don't feel the need to eat.

Also visit http://www.time-to-run.com/nutrition/rda.htm for an idea of what constitues a balanced diet. The closer to this you are the more likely you'll loose weight.

Answer 3

Eat a vegetarian diet. Eat lots of fresh fruit in season when its cheap, and lots of green leaved vegetables.
The protein idea is a complete fallacy. Its almost impossible to have a diet with insufficient protein. Excess protien is a big problem due to the ridiculous publicity.
Do't eat any meat or fish, and don't eat any pre-packaged food. The latter contains MSG wich screws up yor body so that you don't know when you've had enough to eat, so you over-eat.
A vegetarian diet is cheaper, healthier, keeps you fitter and slimmer, and also helps your mind to work better.
Just lay of sugary stuff, and sodas, and sweeteners like aspartame.

Answer 4

Yes, it is still possible, as long as you burn those carbs you took. Runners, before a marathon, are advised to go carbo-loading, so they could finish the marathon. My yoga teacher gives this advise: in the morning, eat fruits only. From 12 noon until 6 pm, you can eat anything, and from 6pm until midnight, eat only vegetables. So many have lost a lot of pounds following this regimen. And, the truth is, if you have less money, you will lose weight more easily, because of your limited dough, you can't buy those gourmet foodstuff.

Answer 5

u dont need money hun!

u need to start eating healthy! make salads and have chicken with it or fish! if u shop in morrisons the food is quiet cheap or go to tescos and get the tescos own brand!

u can also exercise by walking more! if u get the bus or train get off a couple stops b4 urs and walk and if u drive try to only use the car when u have to and park further away!
at lunch time u could go for a walk instead of sitting at ur desk!

i have done this last week and have only eaten food that i have made at home for lunch and dinner and i have lost 3 pounds already!

also drink water it is good for u and makes u less hungry!

Answer 6

It doesn't matter WHAT you eat, it's how MUCH you eat. Just eat less. By the way, WALKING is free. Rather than joining a gym, just go for frequent long walks. Yes you can lose weight on a high carb diet, and that's the HEALTHY way to do it.

Answer 7

Buy lots of fresh veggies (not to expensive if you select carefully) Get fresh not frozen., get what is in season - make a salad put some red vinegar and extra virgin olive oil for dressing....get a few pieces of fish cut from the fish market into a steak size 1 serving.....put a little cup, rice or pasta on the side , select a nice piece of fruit for dessert, and you have a good dinner........don't eat all the fish in one night, it is for a few nights...

Answer 8

It is possible if you are careful. Drink a glass of water when you wake up, before each meal and before you go to bed. Dehydration can be mistaken for hunger. Also, brush your teeth when you feel hungry, despite eating regular meals. You are less likely to want to eat if you do that. Eat plain cereal (Shredded Wheat) with a banana sliced over it. Ready Break and dried fruit for breakfast is warm and filling (don't add sugar or waste your money buying sweetened cereal. It's a rip off!). Eggs, hard cheese, tinned tuna, sardines and salmon are cheap ways to get protein. They are perfect to go with jacket potatoes. Rice and pasta can be mixed with tinned tomatoes or condensed soups to make a sauce(try chicken or mushroom, they're cheaper than Dolmio's). Don't buy highly processed food. It's more nourishing to eat less food, but have better quality. Scrambled eggs with mushrooms on toast is cheaper and more filling than burger and chips. It only takes 10 minutes to cook too! About the time you'd take waiting for "fast food!" Exercise doesn't need to be painful or time consuming. I know someone who was 20 stone and thought she'd never get slim. She was too embarrassed to go out so "marched on the spot" for 1 minute every time she watched TV and an advert break came on. I laughed but it increased her energy level and within a week of eating slowly, "marching" and cutting out junk, she'd lost 8lbs. From then on, she wanted to continue and ended up losing 10 stone by increasing her exercise. She got a b/f too when she started going out. LOL Now she's married with 3 kids! Lucky sod! :-) Who's laughing now?? LOL

Answer 9

As said by someone else, walking is free! If you lack running space, you can even do aerobics or you can dance or jog on the spot or shadow-box in your own little room. No need for shoes, fancy attire, or fancy equipment. Free!

I would not worry about carbs. You can still eat them. After all, ONLY carbohydrates give your muscles fuel, not proteins, not vitamins. Without sufficient carbs, your body would only cannibalize upon its own muscles for fuel and your brain won't perform well. Take care.

Answer 10

I have a tiny budget as well, but manage to eat the fresh fish and veggies......just reduce your portion sizes. If done correctly 1 frozen chicken breast=2 meals. You should only be eating 2oz of protein per meal.....but remember that you should eating every 2-3 hours to maintain a good metabolism rate...

Answer 11

Eat less and exercise daily. Carbs really hinder weight loss, you're going to need to start running or some other intense cardiovascular activity. Walking is for old people and those who don't have the stamina to run....look at the difference between runners bodies and walkers!