A study by the Millman Medical Index reported that family health care costs have doubled over the last 9 years.
Another report suggests that much of our health care dollars are spent on diseases that are preventable. What
can you do to help save your family health care costs? Prevent as many preventable diseases as possible! What are preventable diseases? Diabetes and heart disease are two major ones. Keeping yourself physically fit and eating well will go a long way in prevention. Yes, it really is that easy. When we boil it all down we are in control of whether we eat well and exercise, we are in control of preventing some health problems in our lives, we are in control of seeking professional advice on exercise and wellness as we need to, we are in control of whether we do it or not!!
Some of the best exercises for being healthy are walking, running, push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. These exercises do not require equipment but only require you to do them. Exercise three to five times a week once you have approval from your physician to exercise regularly. If you have not exercised in “a while” then start with this walking program:
Walk at a moderate pace for 5 minutes, then walk at a brisk pace for 12 minutes, then walk at a moderate pace again for 5 minutes.
As you feel yourself improving in fitness over the upcoming weeks, then just increase your pace within this same workout. If you become very good at this you may turn this into a jogging/running program. Adding 5 push-ups, 5 sit-ups, and 5 squats after your walking program will enhance your fitness. As you feel ready, try to add one or two of each every other workout! Often the first two weeks after beginning an exercise program are the most difficult as far as motivation, consistency, and soreness. After that, people often start to feel energized by their accomplishments!
You can have some control over your health and your health care costs. Be your own health care reform package!
