Following These 12 Easy Hacks Will Help You Lose Weight, Not Money

No, you don't have to pepper workouts through your day like an athlete, but taking 10-minute breaks to go for a brisk walk or do some strength exercises or yoga stretching can boost your fitness.

Losing weight isn't only about eating healthy foods, but choosing portions that maximize nutrition and potential for weight loss. Make sure that your veggie portion is the most significant and that you have enough protein to power through your workouts and keep you from craving fatty snacks.

You can easily cut back on fat content when you cook or bake at home with some easy substitutions! Baking a sweet loaf or cake? Swap out half the oil for unsweetened applesauce. Cooking dinner? Swap out some of your carby potatoes for mashed cauliflower instead.

There are tons of tried-and-true workout videos on YouTube, including hundreds on our very own POPSUGAR Fitness channel, that are available for free. Instead of shelling out for that trendy new class at the gym, if you're looking to save money, stay home and follow along with an awesome new yoga series or cardio workout.

Almost every recipe calls for some sort of fat, like oil or butter. Something as simple as cutting back one-third to one-half of the fat (and the sugar) in your recipes can help chip away at your weight loss. It might take a few tries to find the right balance for your favorite recipes, but it's a small step that can help you head towards big goals.

It's tempting to jump on each new diet trend hoping that it'll work for you, but that can be hard on your body and your wallet. Avoid trendy, pricey diet foods and focus on consistency in basic things like keeping calories low and working out regularly.

When you haven't planned in advance, it's a lot easier to be tempted to indulge in unhealthy eating choices. Have healthy meals and snacks planned and prepped in advance to stay on track – it'll actually save you money too by not paying to eat out or order in.

Something that's the exact opposite of physical activity might not seem important for weight loss, but it is. Studies have shown that people who don't sleep enough eat more, and your body stores more fat when you're poorly rested.

While super effective, joining an official group like WW or a gym might cost you a fee, but there's no payment attached to friends. Whether on the myriad of weight-loss communities found online or with your own friends, having a support system can help you stay motivated, excited, and accountable.

When you're in a rush, you can end up eating so fast that your body doesn't have time to receive the signal that you're full, which leads to eating more than you need. Eat slowly and savor your food, that way you can pay attention to the signals your body is trying to send.

Not only is hydration a crucial part of a safe and healthy workout, it's key to weight loss, too. Foods high in water content help you fill up faster so your calorie count will be lower, and some research even suggests it can kick up your metabolism.

Sure, cardio is important for burning fat, but if you're really looking to lose weight, you'll need a balanced workout, and that includes strength training. Muscle not only helps shape your body, but it increases your fat-burning potential.