Exercising Can Save You Big Bucks
Gym memberships aren’t cheap. According to some reports, the average monthly cost is around $58. Of course, some people pay much more for their gym memberships, often shelling out hundreds of dollars per year. But the good news is that gym membership costs are typically returned in the form of the cost-savings benefits. In other words, “Exercising Can Save You Big Bucks”.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, exercising for the minimum recommended amount can save big bucks over the course of a year.
There’s no denying the fact that lack of exercise is bad for your health. When you live a sedentary lifestyle, it increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and more. As a result, individuals who fail to exercise for the recommended amount of time often spend more money on healthcare costs.
Researchers from the Center for Healthcare Advancement and Outcomes and the High Risk Cardiovascular Disease Clinic wanted to further examine this belief, so they scoured over data involving 26,239 people 18 years of age or older. So, what did they find? The team of researchers found that people with cardiovascular disease who exercised for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity, or 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity spent $2,500 less on healthcare costs than people who did not meet the federal government’s exercise recommendations
“Even among an established high-risk group such as those diagnosed with heart disease or stroke, those who engaged in regular exercise activities reported a much lower risk of being hospitalized, [having] an emergency room visit and use of prescription medications,” said Dr. Khurram Nasir, director the Center for Healthcare Advancement and Outcomes and the High Risk Cardiovascular Disease Clinic.
Of course, exercise is only one step towards reducing healthcare-related costs. Nutrition is equally, if not more, important than exercise. By eating the right foods, you’ll reap the benefits of a stronger immune system while reducing the frequency of colds and other infections. A good rule of thumb is to base your diet around lean meats, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit, focusing on healthy unsaturated fats while limiting your intake of saturated fats. Through diet and exercise, you can live a healthier, longer life while spending less money on healthcare — and that’s something we should all strive for.
Contact Rodney Dunetz, DAOM, AP, Dipl.Ac. (Doctorate in Oriental Medicine, Acupuncture Physician, and Nationally Board Certified “Diplomate in Acupuncture” at (561) 789-9558 to learn how you can get back on track to better health today!