Look At Working Out As a Financial Investment
If you’ve ever had to live on a budget, you know how tough it is. Nobody wants to cut activities that bring them joy.
But before you place your membership to the gym, yoga, or Pilates studio on the chopping block, zoom out for a moment and reframe its importance. Start looking at working out as a financial investment rather than a hardship.
What does that mean exactly? Let’s explore.
The Physical Benefits of Exercise
If you workout regularly because you’re trying to lose weight or sculpt your body, that’s fine. But there are so many health benefits that go beyond how you look. For starters, exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, controls blood pressure and cholesterol, makes your blood vessels more flexible and responsive, and decreases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and other chronic conditions.
It also does the following:
Increases Energy and Improves Mood
When you work out, oxygen and nutrients flow into your tissues to help your heart and lungs work more effectively. This means a boost in energy. In addition, exercise causes the brain and body to produce hormones and neurotransmitters such as those ‘feel good’ endorphins that leave you with an elevated mood.
Reduces Stress
For many of us, lowering stress is high on our to-do list (which can ironically create stress!). When you work out, your mind gets a break. You concentrate on the rhythm of your movements and may even settle into a meditative state that brings calmness and clarity. There’s a natural release of tension, anxiety, and anger that often lead to stress when not released. And pent up stress is a major root cause for illness.
Supports Brain Health and Memory
The aforementioned cardiovascular benefits of exercise extend to brain function as well. Any time you’re increasing your heart rate, you’re pumping more blood and oxygen to your brain too. This, in turn, releases the hormones responsible for the growth of brain cells.
Furthermore, chronic disease can impact brain health. And since exercise reduces the likelihood of chronic disease, the brain also benefits. Science bears this out.
A 26-year study of 2,400 people showed that subjects who were the most fit at midlife were less likely over the course of the study to have died from heart failure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, Alzheimer’s, and other chronic conditions. They spent about 50% less time with four or more chronic diseases and 34% more time with NO or one chronic disease than the least fit folks.
So how does all of this tie into your finances?
Working Out As a Financial Investment
Consider this.
Compared to adults who are at a healthy weight, obese adults spend more than 40% extra on the price of healthcare. So when you invest in fitness and good nutrition now, you’re potentially saving yourself a good deal of money on doctor’s visits, tests, prescriptions, and hospital stays down the line.
Here’s another interesting factoid. Men who exercise at least three times per week have, on average, a 6% higher salary than men who don’t. And that number is 10% for women. Why?
Well, the positive health effects of exercise also boost productivity. Not only are you more energized and awake, but your focus is sharper. Don’t believe us? Next time you hit that mid-afternoon slump and want to take a nap, get up and take a walk instead. You’ll return invigorated and inspired.
Finally, those who regularly engage in exercise (a minimum of three times per week) take fewer sick days which can equal lost income as well as opportunities for advancement. 
Don’t Give Up On Fitness!
When you’re able to consider working out as a financial investment, you’re not only going to be healthier and happier, but you’ll save money in the long run.
This is not to say, of course, if you’re currently unhappy with your workout regimen that you should just stick it out.
It might be time for a change. If you’ve heard about Pilates and want to see how this full-body fitness system could change your view on exercise, contact us today! And experience the difference of stretching, lengthening, AND strengthening – all in one!