Americans spend more than $60 billion a year on weight loss products, yet, as a nation, we are a very obese, sick, emotionally drained and financially struggling group. The desire to lose weight for a better life is there, but the correct motivation, direction and education is often missing.
Below are 32 items 100-percent guaranteed to be a better investment than any weight-loss pill, potion or gimmick could ever be. Some of the items listed here are so inexpensive, they’re free.
What’s more is that each and every item on this list will not only help with weight loss, but will pay for itself in the long run and yield exceptional returns in quality of life.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has a long list of benefits that includes aiding in weight loss. It does this by decreasing inflammation and promoting balance in the body.
Much of the excess weight we carry around is inflammation. Make sure to purchase organic, unfiltered and raw. This wonder liquid is a steal at about $4 a bottle, which will last one to three months.
2. Beans
Beans are loaded with nutrition and are crazy cheap. These delicious nutrient powerhouses are full of protein, fiber, magnesium, iron, potassium and more.
Avoid the gas associated with beans by rinsing them under running water until no more bubbles come up to the surface.
3. Better Pillow
The quality and quantity of sleep a person gets on a daily basis greatly affects his or her waistline. Sleep is free. Opting to spend money on anything that improves your sleep — like a pillow that is just right for you — is a far better choice than any weight loss supplement on the market.
4. Blender
A quality blender will totally change your life. You can turn produce into a million different healthy concoctions, ranging from sauces to smoothies.
The more you love your blender, the more you will use it. Without question, I can say a blender is one of the simplest, yet best kitchen devices available to make nutrition feasible.
5. Cleaning Lady
Your dreams just became validated. External clutter is a sign of internal clutter. Too much internal clutter sticks to your tush. Cleaning also takes time that you could better invest at the gym or in the kitchen making healthy meals.
6. Cookbooks
Cookbooks are great references and serve as inspiration for healthy recipes, if you let them be. Additionally, they’re a great way to make eating healthy a fun game or hobby.
7. Cooking Lessons
Culinary skills are becoming a rarity. Not knowing your way around a kitchen does NOT make you stupid or inferior.
Rather, it simply means you’re a person who needs to learn a new skill. Cooking lessons will boost your confidence and skills, and is a fun event to look forward to. It’s okay to enjoy the process of becoming a healthy, well-nourished individual.
8. Counseling
Everyone has his or her sh*t and your inner child comes to the dinner table with you. Counseling is a wonderful process that gives you more tools to better approach life.
Some of the most successful, awe-inspiring weight loss clients I have had are the individuals who paired nutrition education services with counseling.
9. Cucumbers
Cucumbers provide many vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that help reduce inflammation, soothe the body, detox harmful compounds and aid in weight loss.
Make sure to buy organic, no exceptions. Eat them plain, add them to recipes and sip cucumber water.
10. Exercise Videos
Between YouTube and Netflix, there are tons of exercise videos available. This is a great way to burn calories and build confidence before you take your wellness efforts out into the world. Additionally, this gives you the freedom to burn calories on your own schedule.
11. Free Weights
These are relatively inexpensive with huge returns in results. Simple free weights, when used properly, can really help with weight loss and improve your overall body. It's a great way to get your Stallone on in the privacy of your own home and on your own time.
12. Ginger
Ginger actually contains compounds said to be prescription-strength anti-inflammatory agents. Fresh ginger can be used several different ways.
Spending $1.50 on a ginger root can yield results better than just about any weight loss supplement on the market, and the only side effects are a happy stomach and delicious flavor.
13. Green Tea
Two cups a day of freshly-brewed green tea (not bottled stuff) has been shown to greatly help in weight loss efforts. This is often attributed to the detoxifying properties of green tea. Don’t waste your money on the extracts. Purchase actual green tea.
14. Gym Membership
A gym membership can be the best or worse use of your money. If you use it, your health, body and mind will be all the better for it. If you fail to use it, you and your wallet will feel defeated. Pick a gym that you like and one that fits into your life logistically and practically.
15. iTunes Card
Working out to music takes your grind to a whole other level and keeps you there. Science even backs that up.
16. Journal
Put it all in writing, gain perspective and feel like you’ve lost a metric ton of weight. The physical act of writing helps people let go of self-built barriers that prevent success and gains.
17. Lemons
Drinking a glass of hot lemon water prior to morning coffee can help detox the body, aid in weight loss and promote a flatter belly. It’s fine to drink another cup or two later in the day. This helps wake you up sans caffeine, and it’s great first thing in the morning and right before your afternoon slump would otherwise hit.
18. Mason Jars
These are all the rage and help provide chemical-free food storage. They are even pre-measured for portion control. Make people jealous with your nutritious meals and detox waters. Being simple is so hot right now.
19. Massage
Massage therapy can help relieve pain and loosen up stiffness that prevents people from working out.
20. Measuring Cups
Measure food in recipes and again when serving up meals. These can be used to figure out the volume of the dishes in your home. It's also great information to have, as we tend to fill our plates, bowls and cups to the brim.
21. A Good Knife
A sharp knife is a safe knife is a 10-fingered chef. The primary reason people don’t like to cook is because doing so is a hassle. If you’re battling the simple act of chopping because of a lousy knife, the rest of your time in the kitchen will be pure hell. Don’t let a dull knife be the root of your weight problem.
22. Nice Water Bottle
If you have a water bottle you like, you will use it more often. Drinking water is the simplest and best thing for your health and major boosts weight loss efforts.
23. Nutritionist
If eating well were easy, everyone would be doing it. Hire a professional to teach you what you need to know and never again be swayed by advertising to waste money trying to slim your waist.
24. Pedometer Or Some Sort Of Tracking Device/App
This is a great tool that provides measureable facts about your progress.
25. Personal Trainer
Give yourself the knowledge and inspiration to get the results you want and avoid injury. A qualified personal trainer can help you lose weight while making gains.
26. Produce
Eat your fruits and vegetables, kids. There's just no way around it. Learn to love them, eat them all the time, find great deals and new ways to enjoy them.
27. Quality Kicks
You need sneakers that properly fit and support your feet. What affects your feet affects the entirety of your body.
28. Seeds And Nuts
Seeds and nuts are powerhouse of protein, magnesium, zinc, iron and fiber, all of which are needed to burn fat, build muscle, recover from workouts and improve sleep.
29. Sleep
Get you some as soon as possible. Sleep is by and far the best appetite suppressant, carb-craving killer and waist slimmer. Set the time aside to get sleep, and if you’re not able to fall asleep on your own, try melatonin or chamomile tea.
30. Used Treadmill
Don’t bother spending a ton on a brand new treadmill. Hop online and find a sweet deal from someone else’s good intentions. The treadmill gets a new home and you get a sweet, svelte body.
31. Workout Clothing
Start with just one or two workout outfits that you love, feel comfortable wearing and supports your current athletic needs. As you slim down, you will need new clothing, which is a reward on its own.
32. Yoga Mat
This is the best $20 you will ever spend on your fitness. Yoga mats are great for yoga, mat Pilates and daily stretching. The minute you buy one, you feel a million times more confident in your fitness dreams.
You will instantly feel like you belong when you drop into a yoga class. The world of free online yoga videos opens up to you because you have the one and only tool you need. Buy one for home and one for the go.
You now officially have no excuse to spend another dollar on any weight loss gimmick. You’re done with that foolishness.
