runtoryrun.com

But let's talk about the price of change. Or more importantly, let's talk about the price of NOT changing.

When I tried weight loss in the past, often I used the cost of healthy food, the gym, etc. as a barrier to my success. In some ways, I had a very valid point. Gym memberships ARE expensive, and healthy food can cost quite a bit more than some of the easy to grab food on the shelves. But what I failed to take into account was the cost of NOT making the changes.

What we need to do rather than focus only on the cost is do a "cost/benefit analysis" of our changes.

Nutrition/Diet

Costs:

• Higher prices on foods that are more nutrient dense, fresh, and healthy.
• Wellness coaching $50/month

Benefits: lower health care cost, less indigestion, feeling of pride, control of certain aspects of health, fat loss, weight loss, increased health, potential reduction in medications, support of healthier more globally economic farming practices

Fitness

Costs:

• Running shoes $80-$120
• Gym membership $40-$50 a month 
• Fitness class or running program varies  
• Bicycle $200-$2000 

Benefits: lower incidence of injury, increased sense of well being, friendships gained in classes, strength, weight loss, skinny jeans, travel (my running shoes have taken me everywhere from the streets of Marysville to the cobblestones of Bergen, Norway), reduced stress, pride, reduced gas costs (!!)

Stress Relief

Costs:

• Massage $40-$90
• Mani/Pedi $40-$60
• Feel good movie $12
• Afternoon alone window shopping, reading, etc. once a week FREE

Benefits: better ability to deal with day to day stresses, sense of contentment, less stress=less cranky (win/win for everyone!), control over stress-related health problems

Still not convinced? Think about this; according to the Journal of American Medicine, those who are active during their leisure time appear to be biologically younger than those with sedentary lifestyles. Keeping our health in check through proper nutrition, stress relief, and fitness hels us live HEALTHIER and LONGER. You simply cannot put a price on that.