It’s all about choice!

How much do we value our health and well-being? Can we put a price on it? I personally don’t think we can… it is priceless!

Years ago, a new member begrudgingly joined our gym. He was told by his doctor that he had to make a choice about his health. He was told he had to exercise or he may not make it to 50. He was in his early 30’s and was about 40 kg’s overweight.

After a few months and making some great progress, he had decided to move to another town. I wondered if that would be the end of his health and fitness regime. About a year later, a slim and fit man walked into the gym. I didn’t recognise him at first but then realised it was the same man who had begrudgingly joined a year prior. He had lost the 40 kg’s of fat and replaced it with about 5 to 10 kg’s of lean muscle. He had completed his second marathon and was training for his first triathlon. I will never forget what he said to me. He stated that if it wasn’t for the decision to change his lifestyle and sort his health and fitness out, he would not be experiencing the joy of achieving his personal and fitness goals. He was a changed man! He also said the small financial and time investment he had started a year ago had most probably added 20-30 years to his life. Can you put a price on that?

It is also about lifestyle. Often people ask how long it will take to lose their extra weight. It may have taken 10, 20, 30 or more years to gain the weight so it may take some time (and perseverance) to lose it. I always say to focus on your health first, make exercise part of your lifestyle and the results will follow. Of course a healthy eating regime is also an important part of the equation. It may take some time to find your balance but as many people who achieve their health related goals would say… ‘IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH IT’