No matter how tight your budget, you should never have to skimp on something as important as your body. Here, how to feel great but pay nada.
October 1, 2008 by Aina Hunter and Angela BlackMore about women's health
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Afternoon Snack: Tea From a Bag or a Bottle--Guess Which Has More Antioxidants Even if you have primo coverage, health care can be pricey; 33 percent of insured young women say they have skipped seeing a doctor, filling a prescription, going to a specialist or taking a recommended medical test because of the cost, according to data from the Commonwealth Fund, a health policy research group. And the bills are even scarier for the one in four women under 30 who have no insurance. But there’s plenty of free health care out there that too few of us know about or take advantage of. And many of these zero-cost things not only cut your risk of disease but also keep your body humming along, far away from a doctor’s office. It’s crazy not to try these tips!
Pare Down Your Bedroom
Minimal doesn’t just look chic in your bedroom—it’s healthy, too. Froufy pillows and other extras—like stacks of books and magazines, stuffed animals and knickknacks—are “dust mite breeding grounds,” says Beth Corn, M.D., an allergy immunologist at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Those microscopic mites are one of the most common causes of indoor allergies, so if you simplify your decor, you may not have to shell out the cash for over-the-counter or prescription allergy meds, says Dr. Corn. Another surprising allergy buster: keeping your windows shut at night. Sensitivity to ragweed, leaf molds and other outdoor fall allergens can leave you stuffed up too.
Fire Up YouTube
Why buy the latest fitness DVD or pony up for a gym membership when you’ve got the Internet? There are thousands of free workout videos on YouTube—we like “15-Minute Abs Workout,” by sparkpeople.com and the tough “Bikini Body Circuit Workout,” by diet.com. For a full list of our favorites, go to glamour.com/magazine. Shameless plug: Our own online Body by Glamour program has free workouts for your MP3 player too.
Drink Tap Water
Sipping H2O protects organs and tissues and helps keep your energy up. Experts say most of us drink enough—but we’re paying out the wazoo for it! Beverage industry data show that the average American bought 29 gallons of bottled water last year—about four 20-ounce bottles a week. That means we’re spending around $300 a year for H2O that often isn’t much different than what comes out of your faucet, says Peter Black, Ph.D., a water expert at the State University of New York in Syracuse.
Measure Your Waist
You don’t necessarily need a $200 session with a specialist to determine your risk for heart disease and diabetes. Multiple studies show that having too much belly fat is one of the strongest indicators of these and other potential health problems, says Nieca Goldberg, M.D., medical director of New York University’s Women’s Heart Program. Simply wrap a tape measure around your waist at belly button level; anything 35 inches or more means increased risk. The most efficient way to burn off excess belly fat? Doing 45 to 60 minutes of heart-pumping cardio (fast walking—also free—works fine) at least three times a week.
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