As you read in my previous blog it has been a busy couple of months.
Even with everything going on it was hard not to see the bad
economy news every day. A slowing in the economy wasn't really
a surprise to me. If you look at history we were bound to have
a down cycle, but the market dropping at record levels was an
eye opener. It sure wasn't anything I expected.
Today, I would like to suggest a short and long term investment
strategy you won't read in the Wall Street Journal or from Mad
Money's Jim Cramer, but it will pay BIG dividends.
I believe right now is an opportunity to really evaluate what's
important to you. It's very easy for us to get caught up in the
everyday rat race and not take the time for what's really
important. I can't tell you how many people I've worked with
that have been stuck in the race at the sacrifice of their own
health. Times like these can be a big wakeup.
I believe now is an opportunity to evaluate what are your best
investments for short term and long term returns. Evaluate
where you spend your money and how this fits into your real
priorities.
One priority that can pay a long and short term return is to
invest in yourself - your health!
This might sound like a lot of motivational hype or you might
be saying, "get real Pete, you fitness geek, I live in the real
world." Well, let me give you some hard facts and numbers to
consider.
Let's step away from what theoretically sounds good and let me
prove to you how this is an actual REAL investment that can
give you BIG returns.
We don't often look at investing in a fitness and nutrition
as an investment, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Many large and small companies are seeing positive ROI in
investing in preventative wellness programs and improving their
bottom line by decreasing health care costs, disability cost,
less sick time and improving recruiting and retention. They
wouldn't be making these investments if it didn't improve
the bottom line.
Healthcare costs have increased from 8-14% for many companies
(our company personally increase 21% and we are fit pro's!).
This is threatening companies of all sizes and more of these
costs are having to be passed on to the employee.
Need more...
From 1960 to 2002 the prevalence of overweight people increased
from 44.8% to 65.2 and during this same time the prevalence of
obesity people more than doubled from 13.3 to 30.5.
Being overweight or obese are known to create the following
health conditions, that will cost you money, quality of life
and could be the biggest threat to enjoying any investment you
socked away for retirement:
• diabetes
• coronary heart disease
• high blood cholesterol
• stroke
• hypertension
• gallbladder disease
• osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
• sleep apnea/other breathing
• some forms of cancer
The lack of exercise has also been shown to contribute to ten
serious health conditions including stroke, diabetes, cancer,
osteoporosis and mental health decline. In a groundbreaking
study of 5700 women, it was found that those who were unable
to reach 85% of their age-predicted exercise capacity had twice
the risk for serious heart disease and death.
These are not just interesting statistics. Chronic illness,
including heart disease, diabetes and obesity, accounts for 75%
of health costs, according to the American Public Health
Association.
According to the Wall Street Journal, health care costs per
capita will reach $7,500 this year, more than double the $3,470
per person in 1993. Of most concern is the fact that the rate
of inflation in this arena continues to grow at an unsustainable
annual rate of 8-14%.
Excluding the indirect costs, the U.S. spent 15.3% of the entire
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health care in 2004, a figure
that is clearly expected to escalate as newer data becomes
available.
Whether you own a company, are an executive making financial
decision for your company or an employee, the costs to not
investing in preventative health are profound. Increases in
premium costs, deductibles and other costs are now being passed
on to the consumer - you!
Keep in mind that direct health care costs are far from being
the only expenses tied to your bottom line. Several other
factors play a notable role as well, including:
• Absenteeism from work
• Productivity and energy, what is commonly referred to as
“Presenteeism”
• Physical capacity to handle stress
• Mental capacity
• Your overall value to your company
Now that I've given you a exorbitant amount of "logical" proof
for investing in yourself and how it is truly an economical
winner, let's finish by looking at the intangible returns:
What is it worth to enjoy a long quality life with your family?
What is it worth to increase your energy, decrease stress, not
getting sick as often and just feel good every day?
What good are investments you can't enjoy because of poor health?
I think you know the answers to these questions. It's why you are
reading this blog.
In times like these it's nice to know you've made wise investments.
I think what one of our clients said says it all:
“The best investment in myself I’ve ever made! Having made the
“rounds” of gyms, health clubs, and group exercise. I finally found
fitness success. 1 Client 1 Trainer 1 Goal really works!”
– Bonnie Koch, Delafield
Come back soon to learn the 5 Biggest Workout Mistakes.
In good health,
Pete Piranio BS, CSCS
Owner/Fitness Consultant
Fitness Together
www.FitnessTogether.net
Brookfield 262-780-6350
Delafield 262-646-5444
Wauwatosa 414-453-9800
Woodbury, MN 651-436-8137
P.S. - Watch the videos of some of our clients who decided to make
their health a good investment and made a dramatic improvements in
their health: www.fitnesstogether.net/real_people.html
If you have any questions or comments about this blog, our services
at Fitness Together, or anything at all having to do with health and
fitness, just call us at 262-646-3055 or post here and ask away...:)
All content provided for information purposes only. This is not intended to
treat or manage disease. Be sure to check with your doctor before engaging
in any dietary or fitness changes and/or routines.
Copyright 2008 Piranio Fitness Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved 
