Health

The Body Coach Joe Wicks explains how to live healthily on a limited budget

We chat to the fitness and cookery social media star about his new baby-carrying workout and how a good meal is going to make everything better in your life. Read the full interview only in this week's The Big Issue

Fitness coach Joe Wicks has a new workout buddy. His first child, Indie, was born in July and he has already incorporated her into his fitness regime. “I’ve just been filming three baby-carrying workouts,” he says. “I’m wearing a baby carrier – with a baby, obviously – doing squats and lunges. It’s been a tough morning, I’ll tell you that. It’s not easy. It’s trying to get women who have just had a baby back into fitness.”

The Body Coach, as he is best known to millions of social media followers and disciples who lap up his bestselling cookery books, speaks as fast as he scissor-crunches while preaching the benefits of exercising and eating right. Forget fictional superheroes, Wicks has some top tips to change all of our habits in a way that really could be life-saving.

The Big Issue: Can people live a healthy lifestyle if they have limited time and budget?

Joe Wicks: I believe if you plan your meals and get a bit more organised it can definitely save you money in the long run. Batch cooking – where you prepare your meals in advance – means you can shop a little more economically. Most people forget how much money they spend every day eating out. You might think your food shop is expensive but you can actually save money by cooking at home.

Sometimes convenience food seems like a cheaper option.

You have to invest in your health. Saving money’s great but you could be really unhappy and unhealthy and overweight. Exercise is one thing, it’s free, but
in terms of your energy, your self- confidence, your productivity and your focus, it all comes down to the food you put in your body. A good meal is going to make everything better in your life.

Has Indie made you aware of issues around the cost of baby food?

I haven’t looked yet as she’s still on breast milk, but we’re going to hopefully make our own. In an ideal world, every parent would be like that, but people get busy. I’m sure I’ll end up using some of these puree things. I’m not opposed to it but I’ll try my best to cook at home as much as I can for her.

Read the full article in this week's Big Issue.
Find your vendor
Rob Delaney

Support your local Big Issue vendor

If you can’t get to your local vendor every week, subscribing directly to them online is the best way to support your vendor. Your chosen vendor will receive 50% of the profit from each copy and the rest is invested back into our work to create opportunities for people affected by poverty.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
How Specsavers are helping vendors see and be seen
A smiling man wearing glasses and a red Big Issue vest stands on a sidewalk, holding a small tan dog. The man has short gray hair and is wearing a black shirt under his vest. The dog is looking directly at the camera. Behind them is a green hedge.
Advertorial

How Specsavers are helping vendors see and be seen

Brits are losing faith that the NHS will be there when they need it. Here's what needs to change
NHS

Brits are losing faith that the NHS will be there when they need it. Here's what needs to change

I have terminal cancer and a learning disability. Life would be miserable without my social care worker
Learning Disability Week 2024

I have terminal cancer and a learning disability. Life would be miserable without my social care worker

Going through cancer treatment with a learning disability is tough. Here's how doctors can help
Learning Disability Week 2024

Going through cancer treatment with a learning disability is tough. Here's how doctors can help

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know