For The Health Of Money

I was torn by whether to write this post here or in my financial blog. This is about how staying healthy can help out your wallet's health, too. Here are ways to get healthy on the cheap. According to the article, the one thing exercise can't fix is weight loss. I have been saying that for years, because your caloric intake on food is what will help you lose weight. Exercise will help you tone up. I started seeing weight loss when I finally started eating healthier.


To those who don't understand the implication of that statement, it means that your eating habits determine your weight. I always worked out throughout my life. Weight loss wasn't easily achieved no matter what I did. Once I started eating healthier, over time I lost 85 pounds!


Although I believe that paying for a gym membership keeps me motivated, I hope to save the $150 a year membership. That is relatively cheap as far as memberships go, and I do get my moneys worth. I'm hoping to start using Isometric training into my routine and eventually wean myself off the gym. More information here.


Of course there are other ways to get your exercise without a gym. More ideas for no gym workouts just keep on coming. The bottom line is that whether or not you belong to a gym, as long as you are exercising, you are doing your overall health a lot of good. With good health comes less illnesses, less doctor's visits, longevity, well being, etc., all that help out your finances.

To Gym or Not To Gym

Although I've used gyms from time to time in my life, I've been working out steadily at a gym for over 8 years now. In this time I've switched gyms 3 times and have seen patterns among them. For instance you are bound to meet these people at the gym eventually. Sad but true!




For me, gym has become a motivator, because I go at least three times a week to get my money's worth. I did just leave a gym and opted for a 'cheaper' gym. You get what you pay for as weights are dumbbells and limited free weights and machines galore. Still it will save me over $300 a year so I'll make the best of it for now.


I will consider investing in a home gym. Although this may save me some real money, I feel my motivation would suffer. I tend to workout at home on rare occasions. But motivation may be my savings. That will be a decision in the future, since I can buy equipment I will need for $400.


Whichever decision about where to train, learn the basic training rules and make your fitness regimen work for you.

I went to the gym today and wasn't surprised that it was pretty packed. I see every year what I call the 90-Day-Cycle, meaning that by April, the gym won't be so crowded. People are trying to fulfill their New Year's Resolution of getting fit for 2014. Most join gyms, others buy equipment, and others use what they have around the house, or other means to exercise.

As far as joining a gym, make sure you get your money's worth and don't sign for a plan you pay for and hardly ever go. I know people who never attend the gym, but signed a contract that still commits them to payment. The funny thing is that they don't bother cancelling it after it expires. Yes, these people do exist!

Do your research and test the waters before you commit when it comes to a gym and a contract. This topic is for another blog of mine on finances. Here we talk HEALTH. Sticking with an exercise program requires doing your homework before you begin.

OVERTRAINING

Although overtraining is often associated with athletes that push their training too far, it is also what makes people quit when they start exercising. Starting low and slow is better than taking on more than you can chew on your first day. If you workout and wake up with aches and pains, you may have over done it. Don't act like an invincible Superman before you've done one exercise.

When it comes to exercising, you need to define your goals and have a plan how to get there. 

You should also know why I say what I say!

Health Journal 4

If a fruit is defined as a structure of a plant that contains its seeds, how good are you at naming your fruits? Find out here.

Caffeine is an addiction when we need it for energy and a way to boost us for a wake-up/pick me up. For those of us looking for caffeine alternatives, there are ways to boost your energy with alternative ways.

Refined sugars should be avoided as a whole. High Fructose Corn Syrup is just as bad, but the industry continues to make it out to be a natural source of sucrose, but avoids talking about the problems with HFCS as a name-change is on the horizon.

On your workout regiments, it is important to take into consideration what you eat before and after your workout. Protein is the key, but the intake can surprise you. For me, aside from protein drinks, yogurt is a pre-workout and an egg is a post-workout nutrition. Here are some unusual pre- and post-workout snacks!

More and more, I am considering the power of yoga when it comes to overall health. Eventually, so will you!

Although it is a no-brainer, your best tool in weight loss is your scale.

Gym? What gym? You don't need a gym to work-out.