A complete home gym for under $40??!! Impossible! Or is it?

Sunday, July 21, 2013

In the last couple of years I have developed an interest in exercising and working out. I have always been in good health. When I found myself in my late 40s, I decided that I should not take that for granted and should start making some lifestyle changes that would maximize my ability to continue to be healthy as I got older. Especially as I have always lived a mostly sedentary lifestyle and my hobbies are all those that do not require any physical exertion.

I started by finding a Tony Little Gazelle elliptical trainer at a garage sale two summers ago. It was marked for $25. I had seen commercials on t.v. and knew that it was priced well. But I still wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to take the plunge and get a piece of exercise equipment of my own.

I had frequently seen work out equipment at yard sales or offered for sale on kijiji. People start out with the best of intentions when making those New Year's resolutions. But the interest and committment wanes. Or room is at a premium. Or something else happens that interferes with their plans.

Prices for used exercise equipment vary greatly. I was determined to hold out for the lowest price I could find. I didn't want to invest too much money, not knowing whether this was something I'd be inclined to stick with or not.

I left that sale and the Gazelle behind. I didn't get too far though, before having non-buyer's remorse. I didn't have much cash left, so we stopped at an ATM and circled back. I was certain that by the time I returned, my Gazelle would be gone. But it was still there. I offered $20, it was accepted, and I brought my first piece of gym equipment home to be ensconced in the downstairs family room.

I have to admit that I did not use it regularly at first. My muscles protested as I put them through unfamiliar motions. My stamina was practically non-existant. I did not find working out fun. Where was this endorphin rush I had always heard about? I could only do 10 minutes in a single session at first. And even then it was hit and miss.

But gradually it became easier. I didn't exactly enjoy exercising, but I didn't hate it anymore. I would turn on the t.v. and let my mind concentrate on other things while my body went through the motions. Bit by bit I would extend the duration of my work outs as well as their frequency.

Then my sister was organizing and purging and had a set of dumbbells that she was getting rid of and offered to me for free. I brought those home and incorporated a routine using five pound weights. Again, my muscles protested vociferously at first. I would include five minutes of weights after 30 minutes on the elliptical.

Those were my exercise staples until this spring. On the Victoria Day weekend in May I happened upon a sale that was just packing up. I stopped because I spied the lampshade I had been searching for. After I paid for it, I noticed some kind of stepper on the ground behind the table. I asked the price. For $2, I had to take it! It is by Body Break and includes cords for resistance training. I added that to the routine to follow the weights.

I wanted to get a stationary exercise bike as well. I would check kijiji but the good ones were always priced higher than I wanted to pay. I would see some at garage sales but they were usually not the sturdiest, were much older, or were uncomfortable. So I waited.

Then a couple of weeks ago, my husband spied a Pro-form 940S stationary bike. It was marked for $5! I did not even haggle on the price, but promptly paid and it was loaded into the van.

Last weekend, while out garage saling with my friend Carolyn, I found another elliptical trainer. I like the Gazelle and the scissoring/skiing motion that it provides. But I have always liked the stepper ellipticals as well, that are more of a running motion. This one was marked $10. They threw in a portable resistance trainer for free. That sale was raising money for breast cancer research, so I felt extra good about the purchase.

I also picked up an Everlast exercise ball late this spring for $1. It is something that my daughter had asked for and thought would be fun. I have not incorporated it into my workouts yet, as I am not quite sure what to do with it. But it is there and part of my 'home gym'.

So, for a complete work out experience...two elliptical trainers, a stepper with resistance training, a set of dumbbells, a stationary bike, a separate resistance trainer and an exercise ball...I have spent $38 in total.

And I am at the point where I am actually enjoying working out and feeling my muscles respond to the challenge. I am seeing results in strength, and stamina and have lost some weight in these last couple of years. I work out for an hour a day now, utilizing the different pieces of equipment at my disposal. I watch t.v. or listen to music and feel good that I am doing something for my health.

And as an added bonus...I am doing it in a thrifty way that makes it that little bit sweeter!

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy

I apologize that these are not the greatest photos, but at least you can see my home gym set up and equipment.

Ah ha! I found it! Just the jacket I have been searching for!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

It was a long weekend here this past weekend...Monday, July 1st was Canada Day...and traditionally there are not many garage sales on long weekends in this area. Add to that the fact that the forecast was calling for rain, and I had pretty much accepted that there would be no garage saling for me.

I woke early Saturday morning to skies that were somewhat gray, but the rain that had threatened had held off. There were a few garage sales listed on kijiji and on the on line classified section of our local newspaper. So I made up a list and headed to the first address that I had circled. One that stated they had women's clothes and accessories.

As we pulled up to park, I spied it. The black and white jacket that I had been searching for at every garage sale this season, on kijiji, and when shopping at Value Village. A woman was perusing the rack where it hang. As I jumped out of the van and hurried across the street,  I channeled all of my mental energies towards her.

'This is not the jacket you have been looking for. Move along...'

Dutifully she stepped away from the rack and turned her attention to other things. Heart pounding, I moved in to get a better look. Yes! Classic houndstooth pattern. Timeless, my best friend would later describe it. I reached to check the tag, to see what size it was. Bingo!

Now for the real test. I removed it from the hanger, and with some trepidation slid my right arm into the sleeve. As I am taller than the average woman, I often have issues finding clothes...coats and jackets especially...that are long enough in the sleeves for me. The sleeve length was perfect. Very generous.

I slipped my other arm in and pulled the jacket closed around me. It fit! Clearly this was meant to be. I had been looking for a black and white jacket for fall and spring. I had come across a black one with white polka dots a few weeks previously. It had been cute, though not 'quite' what I had been looking for. It had been in my size as well, but the sleeves were far too short on me.

But this...this was perfect! In my mind I was already pairing it with the red leather skirt I had recently picked up, or the black pants and a bright solid coloured top. Or perhaps it would look nice with my black turtleneck, black pencil skirt, and black knee high boots.

The price marked on it was $5. But it was in excellent condition, it fit me well, and it was a well made brand name (Tan Jay). I clutched it to me while I looked for other items that I could bundle with it.

This is the jacket. I love how the sleeves have the pattern running in a different direction. I love the detailing on the buttons, with the black ribbon. I love that it actually has snaps, for ease of wear, and that the buttons are just for show.  I love the style of it. The classic houndstooth pattern. I love the lapel. I love that it is lined, yet light enough and flexible enough that it could easily be belted.

As I continued to browse, I found a cute pair of copper coloured sandals with faux stones in rust and green. They were marked for $2. I slipped them on ( I almost always wear ballet flats when garage saling to make it easy to try on footwear) and they looked and felt great.

A long table next to the clothing rack yielded a couple of belts. One was a simple and utilitarian shiny black pleather. The other was a very nice brown leather with a brass buckle. The brown one was marked $1, the black one was missing a price tag. I took some photos of the brown one to show the detail.

There were two cardboard boxes marked 25 cents. In one of them, I found three lovely scarves. The black and orange one is big enough that it could be used as a beach cover up, or a shawl. I love the colours in the one on the far right.

I also found a pair of bright blue slingback flats at this sale, and a chunky gold and black bracelet. I offered $8 for everything, and she accepted. She took the items from me to bag them. Unfortunately, I did not realize until I got home that the bracelet had not made it into the bag. I was a bit disappointed about that, but was so stoked over finding the jacket, that I got over it quickly enough.

At another sale that day, I picked up a pair of jeans and (yet another) purse for $3. The jeans are an inexpensive brand, but in great condition and more than good enough for work. (I work in a warehouse). The purse is pewter coloured, shading to black, and the kind of larger bag that I prefer and feel looks better with my height and frame.

The final sale of the day netted me six tops, both t-shirts and tank tops, that I can wear for work. I spent a total of $2 for all six. I also picked up from there a gray v-neck cardigan for 50 cents. It is ultra soft.

So what I had anticipated would be a rain out, turned out to be a productive day after all. And the highlight of the outing was finding the houndstooth jacket. Once I got home, I googled it and found a photo of the exact same jacket. They featured it here with black pants and a green top. It gives a better idea of the length and how it looks when worn. The image was originally from a D'Allairds webpage.

I did get a couple of things as I start to shift focus from warm weather items to pieces for the cooler days of fall and eventually winter. It is difficult sometimes to shop for such items when it seems as though summer has only just arrived and will be here forever. But the seasons change quickly, moreso as I grow older it seems, and so I try to think of what I will want and need a few months from now as well.

I am glad that the weather held, and that I was able to get out on Saturday morning. Is it wrong that I almost 'wish' for cooler weather so that I can wear my 'new' houndstooth jacket, lol?

Nifty, thrifty and (almost) fifty,

Cathy