6 budget-friendly ways to kickstart your healthy new year's resolutions in 2021

As we hurtle headfirst into 2021, many of us have probably made New Year’s resolutions to kickstart our health and fitness regime.

This could particularly resonate with those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. After the surprise bucket-of-muddy-ice water-over-the-head that was 2020 – a year that seemed to simultaneously go on forever and fly past at warp speed – it has never been more important to take care of our mental as well as physical health. In fact the Black Dog Institute says during a pandemic many people will experience high levels of anxiety and worry, with a significant minority being affected long-term as a result.

While ‘wellbeing’ and ‘wellness’ continue to be some of the most used buzzwords out there, the concept is something I have taken great interest in over the last few years as I have navigated my own health hiccups.

I’m not claiming that what’s worked for me will provide the cure to all ailments, nor am I telling you how to lose any Christmas-pudding-related weight gain. Instead, I’m here to share some easy-to-implement ‘wellness’ hacks I’ve found valuable and how you may be able to integrate them into your life this year, on a budget.

1. Where you can, make food from scratch or buy in bulk

This one is obvious, I know, but it has helped me cut some serious costs. Some of the foods I have come to love, like sauerkraut, chia seeds, coconut oil and avocados, are expensive. Basically as soon as anything is considered a ‘super food’ it can also become a ‘super-wallet-deflating food’. After paying upwards of $15 per jar of sauerkraut, I decided to try making it myself.

And while telling your friends you have been ‘massaging a cabbage’ sounds like a euphemism, you can make a big jar for around $3 and it is surprisingly easy. I also look for specials on coconut oil and chia seeds in bulk and buy avocados from farmers’ markets, saving me in the long run (while supporting our local farmers).

Homemade sauerkraut – It may not be pretty, but it has a great personality

 2. Welcome to meal-prep Sundays

As I have experimented with ways to improve my overall health, I have taken a closer look at my diet. Basically, there are a few foods I am encouraged to avoid and others to eat more of. This can make buying lunches out a little trickier and I have definitely become ‘that person’ when ordering.

I have learnt it is much easier and cheaper to make meals from scratch and prepare them in bulk. For example, I can make lunches for the week for $10-$15, which is what I would otherwise spend on a single bought lunch. Even if you have a clean bill of health, preparing your lunches is a great way to ensure you are eating well, and you know exactly what is in your food to avoid accidentally sabotaging your healthy efforts. You’ll also love yourself mid-week when you don’t need to think about what to prepare and you can simply grab and run. This is especially handy if you’re like me and push your luck with the train timetables by spending an extra five minutes at home.

→Related article: How to up your work snack game (on any budget)

3. Exercise doesn’t have to be expensive

Gym memberships can be pricey and are a barrier for many people. But if you don’t have budget for it, there are plenty of other options, as we learned in 2020 as gyms were forced to close across the country.

Catch up with friends while walking (like Ariana Huffington), try some YouTube yoga classes (like the classes by Yoga TX) or invest in some free weights and resistance bands to create your own circuit at home. I have some amazing friends who keep me motivated to train, and was very lucky to be part of a gym community that continued to share workouts to do at home each day during the lockdown period with minimal equipment. There are plenty of apps to look at if you want some inspo at home, or if you would like to join a gym, don’t be shy to try the free trials offered until you find one that suits your training style and budget.

Downward dog. Cat stretch. Goat yoga.
They've always been our most dependable workout buddies.

Who's your training companion? #PetsofCentr #TrainCentr pic.twitter.com/U6Rla2MaMy

— Centr (@CentrFit) December 16, 2020

4. Water you thinking?

It’s becoming more universally known that a vital component of good health is drinking enough water. This can actually be really easy if you substitute your other daily beverages for water – and best of all it’s free. Rather than paying for soft drink, your second coffee or something sugary to wash down your meal, opt for the much more wallet-satisfying glass of H2O.

#water accounts for over half our #body weight
are you #drinking enough each day to stay #hydrated read more about https://t.co/B3U4Tb4fia @gpwhyte pic.twitter.com/WAhw1x48Nt

— Vitastream Drink (@VitaStreamDrink) January 9, 2018

5. Rethink your commute

No year has made us think about our commute to work quite like 2020 has. With many Australians working from home, experiences naturally differed, but the time saved commuting was probably one of the more agreed-upon perks. As more of us return to our workplaces, it is a great time to look at how you get to or from work. A return to the 5-day week in the office could see me easily dropping nearly $35 a week on public transport. I know this doesn’t sound much, but over the year this is close to $2K. That could buy a lot of toilet paper and hand sanitiser.

If I cycled to work just two days a week, I could save over $650 a year. If I add a walk to work now and then (which takes over an hour but gives me plenty of time to catch up on podcasts, and guarantees I hit my step goal at he start of my day), it can give this amount a boost, or cover the costs of a cheeky coffee on the way. As a cherry on top, I get my exercise while commuting – saving time. Basically a win, win.

I know this isn’t possible for everyone. If you live too far away to exercise the whole way, another option is to get off a station or a couple of bus stops early and take a walk. I love the walking time to and from the ferry/train on my non-riding days as it gives me time to myself to clear my mind before and after work.

My noble steed.

6. Mindfulness is free

Get ‘appy with mindfulness. There is a bit of stigma around meditation, but it can be incredibly empowering and great for your mental health. And there are plenty of meditation apps available to try for free if you want some guidance. Being able to identify when your thoughts are straying and bringing them back to the present is an incredibly useful skill. While for the first few weeks and even months you may doubt yourself and wonder whether it is worth it, you might soon notice yourself beginning to automatically use it through the day. This can be a great way to reduce anxiety (why, thank you driver who can’t stay in their own lane) and keeping cortisol levels down.

🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/xDrEYxt5Il

— Headspace (@Headspace) December 12, 2020

Looking for a way to take charge of your budgeting and savings this year? Here is our list of budgeting and savings apps worth checking out.

This article was reviewed by our Deputy Editor Sean Callery before it was published as part of our fact-checking process.

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