Did you make a new year's resolution to get fit or lose weight this year? Join the gang. Millions of us signed up for gym memberships, detox schemes, diet plans and workout videos. But new research suggests that £37m is wasted every year on people not using their gym memberships or attending their exercise classes.
The research, by online accountants Crunch.co.uk, looked at 3,000 adults. The results suggest the average person wastes £303 a year on direct debits they'd forgotten about for gyms they no longer attend. A further £158 is spent every year on fitness products that go unused.
So, instead of wasting money on gyms you'll never go to, exercises balls you'll never use or diets you'll never finish, we've got a few suggestions for activities that are free and fun.
- Walk. Take the dog for a walk, power walk with a friend or walk to the shops rather than driving.
- Get off the bus or tube one stop early and walk (yup, that one again) to walk.
- Dance. Round the house, on a night out or with friends.
- Sex. 'Nuff said.
- Write down what you eat. It'll help you spot any patterns. Like snacking when you're bored. Or angry, or happy. Or, if you're anything like me, all of the above.
- Drink more water. It'll fill you up, give you energy and you'll have fabulous clear skin.
