Have you ever thought that if you made as much money as
J. Lo or Russell Crowe that you could spend more time
exercising? After all, they virtually get paid to exercise to
keep their bodies Hollywood ready. Would you exercise
more if you got paid to? What if I told you that you can and
do get paid to exercise?
Okay, so no one will pay you or I each time we get on the
elliptical trainer (darn it). Most of us are not in line for a 4
year, $32 million contract. But have you ever thought about
the payback that you do receive? Corporations know the
financial benefits of exercise and the savvy ones implement
corporate fitness programs. These companies have
documented results on reduced absenteeism, reduced
turnover, reduced health care costs and improved
productivity.
If companies reap these benefits, think about how that
applies to you as an individual. How much more productive
(translate "earn more money") could you be in your business
or at work? How much less sick time would you need, that
you could put to use in work or even play? How much
happier would you be and how much more fun to be around?
One company showed a $6.15 return for every $1 it spent on
corporate fitness. What could being more fit mean to your
pocket book?
You know exercise can prevent a myriad of diseases, but
have you thought about what that means financially? The
premiums for health and life insurance go up dramatically
simply for elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
With further deteriorations in health, you might not even be
able to get insured. Simply being in good health can save
you thousands of dollars per year. When you also consider
co-pays and prescriptions it adds up to big money out of
your pocket.
If what they say is true, time is money, then time spent in
doctors' offices and being sick or disabled also cuts into your
personal profits. So the next time you think you can't afford
the time to exercise, think again. You can't afford not to!