Sense to Save

Yet another wonderful thing about Comcast’s OnDemand (2 things)

OK, it’s official: I really love Comcast OnDemand.

I am so, so glad that my cable bill is really low (I somehow managed a $23.91 w/tax monthly bill by asking for a low rate and a cheapo package). But even if it was a little higher, it would be worth it.

You see, in addition to the free movies and TV shows in the OnDemand section, we also have free OnDemand movies that come with our (also, amazingly free) HBO and Encore.

We can choose from a pretty broad selection of always-changing films. Some movies have a "preview" option that shows the movie trailer.

And, if we’re watching a movie that isn’t that good after the first, oh, 20 minutes or so, we stop watching it without feeling like we wasted money.

When we had Netflix or rented a movie from a store, it would be a real bummer to rent a movie that turned out being a dud. It would feel like we wasted a trip to the store, a movie from our queue, and money.

With OnDemand, though, we have no problem stopping a bad movie. Why waste an extra hour watching something that stinks?

Second, an OnDemand feature I didn’t realize we had is "Excercise TV." (Go to OnDemand > Sports & Fitness > Excercise TV).

You’ll see an impressive menu of TV excercise programs, as you might guess.

You’ll have workout hosts such as Carmen Electra,  Billy Blanks, and working programs such as The Firm, the Biggest Loser, yoga & pilates, abs, walking, and many more categories.

There are just a few workouts in each category, but they’re regularly updated every few weeks or so (as are most things in OnDemand). For example, in the Billy Blanks folder, there are four workouts right now: 2 CelebrityFit Cardio (21 mins.), Tae Bo Amped Jump (19 mins.), Tae Bo Fat Blaster (15 mins.), and Tae Bo favorites (18 mins.).

You’ll find programs that are 4 minutes, and some that are 25+ minutes.

If you aren’t extremely picky about your TV workout, this could be a great way to try a variety of excercises without acquiring a bunch of tapes or DVDs.

Do you have OnDemand? What are your favorite features?

Freebies from Slim Fast

Amy at The Mother Load highlighted a good deal on Slim Fast freebies.

If you’re trying to maintain your weight or lose some, the free kit might be good for you to order. It includes: a pedometer (I’m excited about this one!), a weight loss guide, coupons, a shopping list pad, and a few other things.

Sign up for it here.

Be sure to visit Amy’s post here for tons more freebies.

Exercise…it could save your life!

Being healthy and physically fit absolutely fits in with a frugal lifestyle. Maintaining your health means fewer doctor’s visits, prescriptions, problems, and a longer life.

That said, I am horrible at fitting exercise into my daily life.

I was a runner in high school and on the track and cross-country teams. I worked out 2-3 hours per day, and lifted weights at least once per week. For awhile, I even took a weight training class as a part of my school day.

I could run for hours, could almost bench press my body weight, and I felt great.

I was in the best shape of my life and I’m letting that go tumbling down a jagged, flaming hill of health problems and misery.

I’ve gained maybe 10-15 pounds since my running days and I’m still nowhere near being classified as “overweight,” yet I’m quite unhealthy.

My resting pulse is high, I have little energy, I have trouble sleeping, and I’m just generally on the path to health problems on down the road.

Time to step it up. Right now.

I need to start slow. If I don’t, I’ll get discouraged or injured. But I absolutely need to fit exercise into my daily life and I’m blogging about this for accountability.

I have a Pilates DVD that I really love. I bought it for about $10 on Amazon and I really enjoy the 30-minute workout. I just need to push “Play” and actually do it, ya know?

Also, my apartment complex has a workout room that residents can use at no additional cost.

“Excuse me? Kacie? You silly goose, you have access to a free workout room and you don’t use it?” you’re probably saying to yourself.

Yeah, I know. It’s absurd. I’m already paying for access to this workout room (it’s included in my rent somehow).

The gym isn’t fancy–just a treadmill, stationary bike, and some weight machines. Still, it’s enough to work up a sweat.

Oh, and there’s a TV in the workout room. With cable. Quite an incentive for someone who has over-the-airwaves TV, ya know?

I don’t want to start running outside again. My body is in no state to handle that right now–it would be disastrous. Plus, I’m not even sure if I like running anymore.

I’d like to know a few things:-What do you do for exercise?

-How do you stay motivated?