You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune to get in Shape

Physical fitness can neither be achieved by wishful thinking nor outright purchase.  -Joseph Pilates 

Just this past week I saw four infomercials for workouts in DVD format and a couple of more promoting certain types of exercise machines.  In case you’re wondering, I didn’t watch every infomercial, but just enough to get the gist of them.  I just did a Google search for exercise DVD’s and got over eight milling hits.  I did another search for exercise equipment and came up with over 29 million hits.  As you can see, selling exercise DVD’s and any gadget that is supposed to help us get into shape is big business. 

To be fair, I am sure that some of these are legitimate and if properly used will render a favorable result.  For a while there I seriously wanted to buy a Boflex, and then I saw the price.  This looks like a great piece of workout equipment, but be prepared to pony up some serious cash.  The same can be said for the Total Gym, which is endorsed by the legendary Chuck Norris.  Again, this looks like a tremendous way to do strength training at home, but be prepared to spend several hundred dollars.  As a side note, I wish Chuck would give up the hairpiece.  I always thought he looked a lot better in the cowboy hat he wore on “Walker Texas Ranger.”

My main point today is to remind you that you do not have to go out and spent a lot of money to improve your health.  There are some strategies anyone can employ right now that will be the beginning of overall improved health and a more positive outlook.  I have come to believe that the two areas are strongly connected.  Consider these strategies for improving your health without having to spend a small fortune:

• Be physically active as much as possible.  If you have a desk job, bring gym shoes to work and take a brisk walk after lunch.  When possible, and you can do so safely, take the stairs at your office building.  Anytime I make a hospital visit I deliberately park as far from the doors as possible.  The longer walk into the building is energizing. 
  

• Schedule a time of exercise as a vital part of your day.  Cease from thinking of exercising as a burden that has to be worked into your day.  Instead, learn to view it the same as you would eating a healthy meal; it’s something done out of necessity for maintaining better health.
  

• Get the family involved.  If you are married or have kids at home, encourage your spouse and kids to seek a regular form of exercise also.  Don’t nag them, but rather gently urge them while setting a positive example. 
  

• Eat right and quit smoking.  I know that I beat on these two issues like a Congo drum, but it’s that important.  No exercise program will be effective if you are still smoking cigarettes and eating all sorts of junk food.   

With God’s help anyone can make exercise a wonderful part of a daily routine.  Rise up, get moving, and resolve to get healthy. 

It’s going to be a great day!