[harbaughjb]

One thing that I know would help me in the long run, even with my eating disorder and my chronic tension, is exercise. However, I HATE exercising at home. Something like that is more of a thing I'd rather get an a gym, where I can get HELP. I've actually gotten some terrible injuries, just doing it myself (had to go in for some physiotherapy because of a misaligned leg that came from lifting things wrong in a bad gym I worked at). So, I want to have someone who can at least help me get into a routine. I like doing it in the afternoon, and I really enjoy getting out. It helps me feel like I'm better than just being stuck in my house.

...however...

I'm on disability. I get a certain amount of money. But, I can't get any money out of the budget FOR a gym membership! I COULD put it on the credit card, but I'm already buying myself a new computer, so I can actually WORK (my old computer is seriously ready to die, with crashes and losing files every once in a while), and I can barely afford minimum payments just in GENERAL. We've lowered our phone/internet costs to $60 a month for the next six months (after that, it'll be $75 or more...and that's the CHEAPEST), we have an old car that's about to die as well, and it's just expensive. I don't even have to pay for my meds, since they're covered, but it's everything ELSE I need. They won't cover things that aren't 'medically necessary', so...yeah. They won't cover things like the gym. It's really hard, because I can't work (I CAN do art, but barely anyone hires me, because I'm an unknown), and my husband can't leave the house for more than two hours MAX because of my anxiety.

I would just do exercise at home, but I'm terrible at doing it myself. If it was up to me, I'd never do it. But, if I make it an appointment OUTSIDE of the house, I'd do it every day. Besides, the rest of my family (my parents, brothers, and sister) go to the gym, and they're better because of it. But, they can't pay for my gym membership, since they already have a boatload of debt (mostly because they had to help me with my husband and me and the lack of money). So, honestly, that's not a good place to go for the gym money. What am I supposed to do? We don't even go out for DATES, anymore, simply because we can't afford it! Everything is to food, utilities (which are as low as they CAN be), and essential bills (rent (which is super low), car insurance, student loan for a semester of college I never got to finish DUE to my disability, etc.). I just don't know what to do financially.

I live in Canada. Is there anything that anyone can think of that could help? Please?

[DenisDonnacha]

You could try body weight exercises, they're cheap because you don't need equipment and there's less of a chance of injuring yourself like you might with weights.
Try looking online for a regime that doesn't need weights, like a combination of sit ups, press ups and squats etc.

Hope this helped.

[carla.cdt]

have you looked into free program at YMCA. Not sure where you are in Canad, but in most big cities, YMCA offer great program.
Have you trying to contact your city to see if they have any free program offer this summer. Like where I live, they have an intro to tennis offered for the next 4 weeks and they are also running different of volunteer walking/running program. There are also different exercises you can do using park equipment like benches and things like that.
Check with friends to see what they are doing? You might find a friend that has some equipment at home and is knowledgeable on using it and is looking for company while exercising.
Carla

[Suki22]

have you checked your local community centers? the one I've gone to has a small workout room and it's $30 FOR THE YEAR. there has got to be somewhere around you.

to build on what Carla said, find some friends/family that have memberships and use their buddy passes. yes, you can't do this every day but once a week is better than nothing.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by harbaughjb

and my husband can't leave the house for more than two hours MAX because of my anxiety.

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.