WISE EXERCISE SAVES TIME, MONEY by Rhonda Barfield
Whenâs the last time you took a good look at yourself in a full-length mirror? Weâre not 18 any more, and really ought to do something about our out-of-shape bodies. But exercise takes a lot of time AND money. Right?
Wrong. A regular exercise program may not involve as much of a time commitment as you think. As for money, you can start a fitness program with practically no dollar investment. Youâll almost certainly save a great deal of money on doctor and hospital bills if you stick to a sensible, long-term fitness plan. As a friend once commented, âA $30 pair of walking shoes is a lot cheaper than
bypass surgery.â
Time-wise exercise
Our family of six is very close-knit, and we try to spend as much time together as possible. Weâve learned, through the years, that we can have that time while we exercise.
As our needs have changed, so has our fitness program. Weâ??ve tried all kinds of optionsâ?? one baby in a backpack while we walked, one baby in a pack and a toddler in the stroller, and so forth. By the time our oldest, Eric, was 6, he and Christian rode Hot Wheels or walked with the grown-ups, Lisa rode in the stroller and Mary was in the pack. What a procession!
The years brought more adjustments. Our 11- and 10-year-old boys often rode bikes with Dad to the post office while I walked daily laps around a â??Tâ?? in our subdivision, so our 8 and 6-year-old girls could choose to pace me as long as they liked. Now we often enjoy long family hikes together on a nearby trail.
Whatever our fitness plan, weâve always tried to use our time wisely by
combining quality family timeâ?? and often errand running, tooâ?? with a workout. How about you? Perhaps you could listen to an inspirational tape, or memorize scripture, or pray, or even pick up the trash around your neighborhood streets (we do this weekly) while you exercise.
Some exercise is better than none. If you find yourself really short on time, you might consider:
-Climbing stairs. You'll burn about 100 calories in 10 minutes, according to personal trainer Barbara Marrott in Woman's World magazine.
- Jumping rope. Marrott says, â??For getting a cardiovascular workout, a $12 jump rope is worth as much as equipment costing hundreds.â??
-Housework. Put on the music and get moving!
-Isometrics. Whenever you're in the car, hold in your abdominal muscles
tightly for 10 seconds, out for 10 seconds, etc.
-TV or video workouts. I worked out with Body Electric on PBS for many years. Now that I have the routines down, I can crank them out while I watch Mister Rogers reruns with my daughter.
Money-wise exercise
All of the suggestions above cost very little. Your primary dollar investment in an exercise program should be a physical exam by a doctor (something you probably need anyway) and a sturdy, flexible pair of shoes. Skip that expensive gym membership until youâve tried cheaper alternatives.
If you decide to purchase exercise equipment, first try out a friend's, or compare brands at a user-friendly store. Find what you like, then start looking for it in your newspaper's classified ads. The new year is often a good time to investigate; many people purchased new equipment at Christmas, and have by January decided they donâ??t want to exercise regularly.
In the summer, fall, and spring, garage sales are also an excellent source of good used equipment. If you're a fixer-upper, buy a broken machine for pennies on the dollar, then call the company's toll-free number (first call 1-800-555-1212 to ask for it) for free advice on how to repair the machine.
Check your local library for exercise videos and fitness magazines. These will inspire you and help you map out a program that works for you.
Exercise doesn't have to be terribly time-consuming or expensive. And the
benefits: better health, fewer doctor bills, more energy, are certainly worth the small investment of time and money.
This article is reprinted with permission of Money Matters, a newsletter published by Crown Financial Ministries, 601 Broad Street, S.E., Gainesville, GA
30501.
About the author:
Rhonda Barfield is the author of Real-Life Homeschooling: The Stories of 21 Families Who Teach Their Children at Home, Feed Your Family for $12 a Day (both available by ordering through most bookstores nationwide or amazon.com), and 15-Minute Cooking (a self-published book). For more information, visit
www.lilacpublishing.com.
