In these tough times, there is a steady decline in how people invest their money on health and fitness. People polled have said that they will cut back on personal trainers and memberships to gyms.   As well as expensive workout clothes and equipment in order to save money. Unfortunately, this could mean the possibility of once again Americans getting fat and an increased trend towards being sedentary. Those that are devoted to staying healthy and fit will find ways to get their butt moving, but many times people need direction on how to exercise on a budget.

Having recently encountered a book called The E2 Diet, this author can say without a doubt, there is a great way to exercise, lose weight and have fun doing it that won’t break the bank. Frankly, it won’t cost you a thing except a small amount of time and a smidgen of commitment. So how do you do this? We’re talking old school here. It’s good old fashioned calisthenics.

The Engine2 diet book is dedicated to providing the knowledge and information to live a plant-strong life (translation: vegan diet) to lower cholesterol, prevent disease, lose weight, feel better and live longer. The author, Rip Esselstyn is a plant-loving triathlete working as an Austin firefighter and is the absolute epitome of health, fitness and strength. But for the sake of this article, I am going to focus not on the fabulous diet, but the relatively small section of exercises he provides in the book.

Taken right from the firefighters training routines and filled with jumping jacks, squat thrusts, push-ups and triceps dips, these exercises are familiar and easy to master. The two main components of the exercise routine work the cardiovascular and muscular systems. The program is broken down into three sets of 4 exercises with each set consisting of cardio fitness, strength conditioning and core Fun and challenging, these exercises literally do not need any equipment and use your own body weight for resistance.

This morning, I got my husband, two and six year old daughters to join me in my E2 workout. We all laughed as we jumped around and exercised. It was a great family workout. Sharing time with the family and exercising together. A perfect combo. This is not to say that there isn’t a place for memberships at health clubs and as a personal trainer myself, I can say that there is definitely a place for workout appointments with a trained professional. But these times call for creative thinking and new ways to get exercise into our lives. Rip Esselstyn and his E2 diet are paving the way to better health on a budget.

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