I don't understand the above and your wanting to go out to the gym. I would combine two birds with one stone and do something with him; walk, or both of you get jobs the same place or he get a job at a "public" place where you could be around when you need him, etc.

I have a partial novel written where a young woman makes up an imaginary trainer and trains outside; pulls low, supple branches on trees down 10 times, for example, walks backwards, climbs rocky bridge embankments, that sort of thing, all the time talking out loud to "John" her trainer about how he's making her work so hard. The fun starts when an older woman sees her talking to herself several times in the park where she exercises and the woman walks her dog and they get to know one another and the older woman has a son :-) and the girl a boyfriend who does not appreciate her (why she's exercising, to lose weight for him and she can't afford a gym membership like he has).

Or, I would maybe have a home gym "party" and have friends and relatives come over once or more a week and bring inexpensive equipment they have and something for a pot luck dinner. I use my stairs to exercise on; read a story once about a couple of women neighbors and one woman was surprised at how much weight the other had lost when they finally connected in the Spring, after a cold, snowy winter and it was because the woman had run up and down her stairs several times each day, deliberately as exercise.

I have a change jar I put all the change in and once a year, around Christmas I cash it in and use it as another present for my husband. I've also used change to buy a pizza to be delivered once a month when my husband and I were working and there was more change. But you could get in shape to get in shape :-) and save your change and occasional stray dollars and other windfalls for a gym membership if you wanted. I'm going on vacation in February 2013 and anticipate a whole lot of walking, a mile or more a day at one time and I'm starting now to get in shape for that. Having a gym membership to look forward to might be enough of a goal/project to help you change current eating/exercise habits so it will be even better when you actually have enough money to get one.