Fitness Article: Exercise Can Save You Thousands of Dollars: Body Blueprint Personal Training, Mt Maunganui, NZ

If you're a regular reader of my fit tips you'll know that there are many excuses people make to justify why they don't exercise. And the number 1 excuse given for not exercising is a perceived 'lack of time.' Likewise, you'll also know that the 'lack of time' excuse is more often a 'lack of priorities' in disguise!

Another argument that occasionally presents itself, is that people can't afford to exercise or join a gym. Truth be known, is exercise really going to COST you money? Or could it be that exercise will actually SAVE you money? (Read on to find out why it's definitely the latter!)

The price of inactivity is detrimental to more than just your wallet. The price of a sedentary lifestyle is the impact on your health & wellbeing, quality and longevity of your life, not to mention the impact on your family, friends and loved ones.

So then, what steps can we take to improve our health and save LOTS of money at the same time?

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand. 4,500 people die prematurely every year from smoking in this country. (or 12 deaths per day.) The damaging effects of smoking have been shown to cause a number of health ailments - including coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer.

If the threat of cancer isn't enough to persuade you to quit smoking, maybe the prospect of poverty will! The financial consequences of smoking extend far beyond the cost of a pack of cigarettes. Smokers pay more for insurance. They lose money on the resale value of their cars and homes. They spend extra on dry cleaning and dentist bills - just to name a few.

Perhaps you've observed that people who exercise regularly and take good care of themselves tend to get sick less often? And this is despite being in close proximity to family members / work colleagues who are unwell. Somehow they mysteriously manage to fend off these nasty germs!

That's because it all has to do with your level of immunity. When you exercise regularly, the lymphatic system helps to rid your body of wastes and toxins that might otherwise accumulate and lead to health problems. Other benefits of regular exercise include the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that contribute to a state of wellbeing, improved mood, and a stronger immune system. In short, when you exercise you tend to be more optimistic and this in turn boosts your immunity.

How much do YOU spend on doctor’s bills and prescription medications for the flu, colds or other more serious health conditions? Could these health conditions be alleviated or even prevented by exercising regularly? Absolutely!

What would happen if you had to take time off work due to illness? How long would you be covered by insurance? Who would pay your ongoing medical bills, the mortgage on the house? And how would this impact on your loved ones?

It's quite ironic that most people spend their lives working incredibly hard, and all in the pursuit of the day when they can enjoy the fruits of their labour. But when that day finally arrives it's often too late. Lack of exercise and neglect of their health has already taken its toll in the form of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease or cancer.

Work hard, but not to the point where you lose sight of your priorities and your lifestyle becomes a sedentary one. When you take good care of yourself you won't have to worry about the possibility of losing your income and everything you've worked so hard for in the first place.

More often than not, a strange phenomenon takes place when you exercise regularly. You become nutrition conscious and make smarter food choices. Exercise creates the incentive to eat well. (especially if one of your goals is to reduce your waistline!)

I've heard it said that 'eating healthy costs more.' This is a MYTH that needs to be dispelled immediately!

Eating healthy will actually SAVE you money in the long run. So let’s take a look at the areas where you can save money through good nutrition.

Do you eat on the run? Do you buy your lunch from the cafeteria most days? Or do you prepare your own lunch and have healthy snacks on hand for mid morning and mid afternoon? Why not take 5-10 mins the night before or in the morning to prepare a healthy lunch and snacks to keep you energised throughout the day?

Bought lunches, packaged and processed foods can be 3 or more times expensive than preparing your own food!

You can save a great deal of money every month by limiting how many boxed or processed foods you buy. For example, most boxed cereals tend to be very expensive, are usually very high in sugar and are not as healthy as you may have been led to believe. Why not make yourself a delicious fruit smoothie or make your own natural muesli instead?

If you're hungry during the day, instead of reaching for some biscuits, a packet of chips or a can of 'V,' why not opt for a piece of fruit or some nuts instead?

And if you regularly consume soft drinks cut them out NOW! (these contain sugar, harmful artificial sweeteners and zero nutrition.)

What about takeaways? Once a week is fine, but more often than this can have a negative impact on your health - not to mention your wallet. If you're too tired to cook dinner, why not try a quick option such as an omelette or vegetable frittata? It takes only a few mins, it's healthy and costs a lot less than junk food!

And another tip: If you're a big meat eater, consider cutting back on your meat intake and have a vegetarian meal once or twice a week instead. You'll save money and improve your health as well.

Take a critical look at your supermarket trolley next time you're about to make your purchase. The majority of your foods should be unprocessed, natural foods. And in most cases, these tend to be the least expensive as well.

Small changes such as these can add up to BIG savings every month! Just remember...NEVER go to the supermarket hungry!

Ok, so you've decided your health really is your number 1 priority after all. What exercise options are available to us?

One option is to buy the latest exercise video or home gym and work out in the comfort of your home. Or you could go for regular walks / bike rides etc (weather permitting.)

These options work very well for someone who is motivated. The problem is that most people have good intentions to exercise at home or their office but somehow excuses and distractions seem to creep in. Perhaps you know of someone who bought the latest exercise machine from an infomercial? What was their success rate? Did they stick with their exercise programme day after day, month after month? As I stated in a recent talk at a conference, these machines/ contraptions fit and fold very nicely under your bed, (as the makers point out) the problem is that they normally stay there!

Studies show that people who join a gym or health club have a significantly higher exercise adherence than their 'work out at home or office' counterparts. The real advantage of joining a gym is the motivational environment and support you'll receive from the staff and members. Plus there's the social aspect as well. You'll meet other likeminded individuals who share a common goal - to improve their health & the quality of their lives.

After 21 years of exercising at various gyms and 14 years of training clients at gyms, homes and offices, it's also my conclusion that the majority of people who stick with their fitness programmes long term tend to belong to a gym or health & fitness centre.

Therefore don't consider a gym membership an expense. (besides, this will be offset triple fold when you apply the tips above.) Consider a gym membership as an INVESTMENT in your health.

Make exercise a part of your lifestyle, reap the benefits and save thousands of dollars every year. If you don't take the time to be well, you'll be forced to take the time to be sick!

Mark Woodgate is a leading New Zealand personal trainer. He has successfully transformed thousands of people thanks to his revolutionary ‘quality versus quantity’ training principles.

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