7 Ways to Slim Your Waist, Not Your Wallet

January has a way of inspiring many of us to set our fitness goals in motion and losing weight tops New Year's resolutions lists year after year. If your list mirrors what I've said, you should know that you can start your workout program without spending a ton of money. Don't go all out with a pricey gym membership and workout gear right away -- you'll overwhelm yourself and will be less likely to stick with your goals. Read on for seven cheap ways to get fit this year.

Group Class Discounts

Group classes are a great way to get in shape while having fun, and if you do your research you won't have to pay full price to participate. There are always great deals and discounts for group fitness classes on sites like Groupon and Living Social. I've seen discounts of up to 90 percent on classes in my city.

Special Gym Memberships

Plenty of gyms out there offer discounts just for being yourself. Gold's Gym has membership programs for students, seniors and military members. 24 Fitness also honors U.S. military personnel with special discounted pricing. Ask your local gyms if you qualify for a special discount.

Community Leagues

Community leagues are a great option for those of us who loved a sport in high school or college. They give you a chance to get back to your roots and meet new people in your city. The best part? They're cheap and a ton of fun. I use Meetup.com to look for community leagues in my town. It's an awesome tool that keeps you updated on the latest events. It's also great for those who don't love sports. There are opportunities to run, hike, and socialize without spending a dime.

Gym Demos and Discounts

If you're new to the workout scene, trying out new places is beneficial to your success and light on your wallet. The best workout is a fun workout, and there are so many options to keep you from getting into a fitness rut. Many gyms and fitness clubs provide a free class or workout for first-time customers. Find out which establishments in your community offer free classes, and try a bit of everything. You might aspire to do yoga, but what if you're more of a jiu jitsu person? You never know until you try. After you've picked something you really like, look for an establishment that gives discounts for the first month. A lot of places charge less for new customers.

YouTube

If working out in public really isn't your thing, you can work out from home for free. There are tons of fitness bloggers and YouTubers who release workouts and meal plans. In many cases, you only need a yoga mat to follow along with the exercise routines -- in other words, it should cost you less than 10 bucks. Some videos even include weightlifting instructions. If you want to participate in those, you'll have to spend a little cash to get the weights you need, but you'll still spend a fraction of what you would for a gym membership.

Use Your Smartphone

There are so many apps out there that help you make goals and track progress, and they cost little to nothing. If you want a reality check about how active you are, you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars for a trainer to tell you. Try an app like Argus, which tracks your steps, weight, and sleep. It's free, and it's effective at showing you what level of activity you're performing on a daily basis. If you're driven by competition, try apps like Fitocracy. Using this free app, you can search free workouts, earn points and compete with an online fitness community.

Buy Workout Clothes for Less

One of the common money mistakes I've seen among my family and friends is buying pricey workout clothes as a form of motivation. And I must admit, I too have been guilty of this. You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on trendy fitness clothes to achieve your goals. (If you use your brand-name yoga pants to visit Starbucks more than a yoga studio, you probably don't need to drop $50 on them.) Buy your workout clothes at a department store like Walmart or Kohl's to get the best price. Believe me, no one notices brand names when they're burning calories.

I wish you the best of luck conquering your 2015 fitness goals -- and your financial ones.

Amber Sager is the PR Girl for Offers.com. She prides herself on leading a fun, frugal lifestyle.