If getting in better shape for 2014 was one of your New Year’s resolutions, there are many ways to do so and save on health insurance and other expenses (like clothes) and most importantly, help you live longer and feel better – the right way. Just as with any other form of investment, investing in your health can come with pitfalls so you need to be smart about the decisions you make along your journey to getting in shape. The Equifax Finance Blog explores some positive ways to build a better you in the new article, ”

Six Ways to Save on Getting Healthy in the New Year.”

• Become a Grocery Guru – It’s easy to stock up in January on health and diet foods, as retailers know many folks are trying to lose post-holiday weight and promote accordingly. This means you can get deals on low-fat foods or “smart weight” options if you keep an eye on ads and, as always, shop around on popular picks like protein powder, low-fat frozen dinners, healthy snack bars and more. January is also National Fiber Focus Month, so you’ll find sales on items like prunes, supplements and high-fiber cereals.
• Check out non-gym workout options – while tradition would have you sign up for a gym or a personal trainer in January to work off the holiday pounds, there are many ways you can get personal trainer-level advice and inspiration without signing up for a membership or subscription. There are plenty of free apps for both iPhone and Android, and YouTube has plenty of videos for free (check out Lionsgate BeFiT, for example).
• Be adventurous on the cheap – if you’ve always wondered what an activity is like or just want to try something new, you can keep an eye out for discounts on sites like Groupon and Living Social to try out yoga, CrossFit, boot camp and other fitness classes with minimal investment. Then, if you find out that it’s something you enjoy that you can stick with for a healthier lifestyle, you can explore investing more in that activity.

For more tips on how to invest in yourself, plan for retirement, grow your

credit scores, save money on insurance and more, explore the full Equifax Finance Blog.