For many people, one of the biggest reasons for not taking adequate care of their health and fitness is because it is deemed expensive. And I agree that it can be sometimes.
Getting in shape and looking after your health is not cheap. When you factor in the cost of gym memberships, personal trainers, nutritionists, healthy food, supplements, workout clothes, among other things, or a home gym, it can quickly add up. However, have you ever calculated the cost of not taking action to improve your health and fitness?
I know a lot of people don’t like to think about the cost of neglect, but it is often more expensive than the cost of being proactive. What I mean is this, treating the most common health problems, non-communicable diseases, that are caused by poor fitness and nutrition like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, some cancers among other things, will cost much more in the long run. Trust me, I know. My mother has underlying health conditions and the monthly cost of medication, doctor appointments, tests and treatment is quite expensive.
I am sure we all have friends and family members who think that going to the gym for exercise is too hard, but injecting themselves with insulin needles on a daily basis is perfectly fine. They find eating a heart healthy diet not practical, but going under a surgeon’s knife totally acceptable. They could not be bothered to take nutritional supplements, or they believe taking them is too extreme, but are forced to comply when their doctor puts them on medication for blood pressure or coronary artery disease for the rest of their lives.
The bottom line is that you’re going to pay for your health one way or another. You can either do so through proactive measures – a good diet and exercise – or you can ignore it and pay the price later for years of neglect. The choice is yours, which would you prefer?
