Not Necessarily Free

Now that all the “resolution” dieters are waning, my local Weight Watchers is launching another campaign- presumably to catch the attention of the budget-conscious-because-of-the-post-Christmas-credit-card-bill.

Apparantly, the best things in life are available for a membership fee of only $15.75/week

But of course, nobody pays the weekly fee. A quick look at the pricing page reveals that the cheapest membership rates come with a 16-week package. Three of those would not quite cover a year- bringing annual membership costs to… just under $615.

Which got me wondering, with a budget of $615, what other options might there be to stop dieting and start living?

Local fitness club memberships
YMCA single adult membership: $492, leaving $123 for class or program fees- 4-5 chances to try something new and see if I love it
City-run wellness centre membership: $450. includes aquafit classes. Leaving $165 for REALLY COMFORTABLE new shoes, because those people are fanatic about not using outdoor shoes on their equipment. Or 75 prepaid visits to the child-care centre.

New Ways to Move -
Yoga classes: $120/12 weeks (480/year)
Scottish Country Dance Lessons: $100/year
Tai Chi Society membership: $205/year
Karate Classes: $50/month (600/year)
Platinum Membership (all training workshops, entry in all events) at local trisport store: $260
Dog-walking volunteer at humane society: free
Self-sponsorship for charity walks/rides/runs: variable
dancing with toddler: free

equipment or gear
a trainer- to bring my bike inside for winter training: $230
heart rate monitor: $63-95
bike computer: $25-150

fun with foods
Organic veggies home delivery: $38/delivery (biweekly $988/year). Cost over WW offset by reduced grocery bills.
Exciting new recipes: free online, variable cost for cookbooks.

intros to new sports
triathlon – free.
running – free.
cycling – free.

retrain my brain
Read body-positive blogs – free
throw out bathroom scale – free
give “someday it’ll fit again” box of clothes to goodwill – free