During this time of financial, social and economic turmoil, many people have started to re-evaluate their lives and have started making those lifestyle changes that they thought were impossible before. I know that this is definitely the case for me. Before the crash (and for me that is what it was), I would take the car everywhere. Until my recent relocation, I was fortunate to be living in a beautiful suburb which sat only a few minutes from the main motorway; was ten minutes by bus (5 in a car which I used all the time) from Europe’s biggest indoor shopping centre; was 20 minutes by bus from the main town centre and had 5 excellent bars within 10 minutes’ walk of my house.
Every time it was time for me to go out, into the car I went, and spent a fortune in petrol and parking fees to go where I wanted to go. Sure it was easier, but was it cost effective? Heck no. I could feel myself getting out of shape and under the weather. I would catch every little viral bug going and it would take me a long time to get over it. So I decided that when things started to get a little tight, I would ditch the car and try for the bus. I would walk to the supermarket (seven minute walk from my house) and leave the car at home. What I found was that I became healthier, saved some money and got my mojo back which had been sadly lacking. This article will attempt to show that tightening your belt should not only apply to your purse but to your health too.
In the United Kingdom, personal health has been on the forefront of many government initiatives and agenda and it is not hard to see why. At the moment, it is estimated that about a quarter of the population is obese. The figure in 1993 was just 13%. There has been a 40% rise in those opting to have surgery to deal with their obesity. This is a very real problem and demands very real answers. However, rather than rely on the government to come up with all the answers, it is time that people looked closer to home when it comes to dealing with this problem. By doing so you will not only lose pounds, but get healthier and save money. Like many things worth doing, it is not always easy. But fortune favours the brave and those who stick at it get the results, just ask Charlene and read her excellent factoids.
So how can losing pounds save you money, I hear you ask?
Well let us start with the simple things. Walking is a very underrated exercise but it is still one of the best - if done right. If you can walk to where you need to get to, do so. You will save so much money as well as get healthy. No petrol burned, just calories. No parking meters to feed, just your appetite when you get hungry from all that exercise. No speeding tickets resulting from road rage and over-hurrying (trust me you can over-hurry).
Those of you who are fortunate enough to have kids, take them to the park and join in the fun! Go on the swings, the roundabout, play catch and football (sorry, soccer) with them and have a good run around. You will be amazed how good you feel, how well you bond with them and how tired they get, making them (and you) sleep better. See, you did not need to send them to an expensive water-park (although I would not rule them out completely, they are so much fun!). Fun, frolics and fresh air–and it cost you nothing or very little.
I don’t know about you but if I drive to the store, I tend to buy more, knowing that I can just ditch it in the car boot and not worry about it. When that is not an option, you have to think again about how much you can carry and what you REALLY need to buy. So if you can, walk to the store and walk to the store with a set list of what you need to buy and the thought that you need to carry it back yourself. You will find that those little extras that you used to get will stay firmly on the shelf . . . helping you, your diet and your pocket.
If you really can’t stop shopping, check out the thrift stores; you will be surprised at the bargains that you can pick up. Here, again use some restraint and think about what you can carry. Walking around the shops burns calories; when you combine that with the lifting of the bags, you will definitely have earned that non-fat, skimmed milk latte with low fat muffin! Yeah, you can treat yourself. The key word is MODERATION!
So how can I make money from being healthy?
Well there are a variety of ways. They are as follows:
- The first is being a personal trainer. It does require a certain level of fitness and dedication and some qualifications. You can start out small and deal with friends and family around you. When the results are seen, then you can expand your client base. You have to be careful not to overprice (or undersell) yourself.
- If you love dogs and want a business, how about becoming a dog-walker? You get healthy, meet new people (and pets) and get paid for it! There are those with pooches whose jobs and/or lifestyle does not allow them to exercise their dogs and you can step into the breach!
- Another way to walk off that extra poundage and make a few dollars while you are at it: mow lawns. Other landscaping tasks require a substantial calorie burn, that can add to your bottom line while it takes off your bottom.
- If you are more comfortable on the water, how about becoming a swimming instructor or lifeguard? This does require certain certifications and some degree of hard work, but then again, doesn’t everything? If you like boats and have a strong stomach, how about becoming a fisherman? There must be nothing better than eating the catch you just caught a few hours earlier.
- Of course, let us not forget the professional athletes who, through hard work, dedication and sacrifice earn money from doing what they love. Maybe you are the next Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan or David Beckham. If you think you have what it takes, then go for it. There is the debate that they earn too much, but that is another Factoid altogether . . . .
I hope that this has opened your eyes to the possibilities of getting healthy, saving money and making money. I would love to hear your stories.
Stay blessed and stay healthy readers!
© September 2009 - N Nwabineli
