Saving Money Now

Scott Schwab
I thought today would be a good day to post with the benefits of being healthy and saving money by maintaining your health. The cost of medical care is obviously on the rise. We may or may not receive the health care plan by the end of the year, then again we may not. I have spoken to friends who own supplement and vitamin shops and they have never been busier. As they have spoken to customers, the main feedback is "I have to start living healthy, because I can't afford to be sick". The other feedback that they have passed on, is that the companies are cutting back and one of the areas is health coverage. There is no need to dance around the fact that the economy is struggling and we just keep bouncing on the bottom. However; I do believe that things will turn around and we will emerge better. Furthermore, as individuals if we take the necessary steps now we too will emerge better.
Exercise
People get a clue! You look in the mirror every day and I know that you see areas that you want to improve. You don't have to go to a gym. For goodness sakes, pick up tennis, racquetball, walking, running stairs, and riding bikes. We speak a lot about the benefits of going to a gym, but these same benefits apply to those who choose to do things at home. Do something though! Get off your couch and go to the park. When was the last time you went to the park? Go for a walk with your wife and kids or by yourself. I know it is much easier to spend quality time by the T.V., but it really isn't that quality; and I am speaking from experience. The less exercise you are doing now, plan on it diminishing every year. Stop waiting for that magical start or accident or anything that will get you exercising. Do it now, because your quality of life depends on it.
Supplements and Vitamins
Even a daily vitamin is something that we should all be taking. I am not saying you have to spend a lot of money on an expensive vitamin or supplement plan. You can get vitamins and supplements for that matter at Wal-Mart. The things that you need to look at is calories and fats per gram of protein for supplements, and additives for vitamins. Consult a physician, a pharmacist, a life couch, a trainer, or a dietitian; all of them will tell you that you need to be taking something. You may think that because you haven't ever taken them, why would you need to start now. Every year our foods that we intake have less of the nutrients that we need. The foods we eat have less balance of the basic food groups and more calories, fats, sugars, and carbohydrates. The obesity rate is out of control and people are trying to survive on fast food. I am being very general and possibly overboard. "If we don't stop living carelessly; we will carelessly stop living". Take something proven. This will require a little research, but will benefit you in a huge way. A good site is www.mixersnutrition.com.
We are not ready to sell the supplements, so there is no pressure. You can go and read, browse, and study what would be best for you.
Mental Health
Just as important is the mental health that many times gets overlooked. The important thing is that you keep your mind fresh and active. Spend time reading a good book, studying a language or a concept you love, and memorize often. "Repetition is the mother of all learning". Spend time thinking and pondering. Turn off the radio and the television. Really is the show that important. It may be, and you have to analyze that. However; don't spend so much time that you rarely get anything else done. Be dependable. When you set goals follow through. You don't know how essential it is to the human mind. When we do not do what we say we will do, our mind gives us a break and we are likely to give excuses again and again, until we are excuse makers. Anything and everything will be an excuse and frankly people will not enjoy your company. It is so key to live your life as a person who sets goals and achieves them. As you make changes with achieving your expectations, you will expect more and acheive more.
These are a couple of key suggestions. There are more and we would love to hear what you do to make a difference or how you are staying healthy and keeping some money in your wallet. I can only tell you that for me, I rarely go to the doctor or have to spend money on medications. I havent always had great health and so I can sympathize with those who may not be healthy. I once spent a good amount of time in a wheelchair and was always getting sick, because I had such a weak immune system. Life really changed as I made the decision to change. I started to take supplements and vitimins. The biggest difference was getting off the couch and making a daily commitment to exercise>