CrossFit = Financially Fit
Posted by Karina on October 27, 2009 - Posted in News There are 11 comments, Add yours!
Don’t scoff at me yet, hear me out! I have had multiple people comment on how healthy and fit Lani and I are. They all ask how we do it. If they don’t run off at the first hint of cutting out all the processed carbs, they will inevitably ask, “How much does it cost?”. The few that are left standing, typically bow out. With the economy being what it is today it makes sense to pinch pennies. But we must see and understand the entire picture if we really want to save money.
Saving money doesn’t come from getting a $30 a month membership from Globo Gym that you rarely use. It comes from things like staying on the prevention side of the coin. As we all know from Robb’s nutrition talks, if you exercise, eat right and get adequate sleep you can most likely avoid things like: stroke, heart attack, cancer, diabetes, and orthopedic issues. These are just a few of the major issues. Let’s not forget about colds, the flu,
over-use injuries, and general inflammation. All of these things cost a lot of $$$$$$ to treat.
There is a documentary called I.O.U.S.A. It is incredibly informative as to our nation’s whereabouts fiscally. It covers far more than this blog would allow but in the end the analysts in the documentary agree that one of the largest issues our country faces is health care costs and how we are all going to pay for them. Their conclusion as to the best way to solve our health care financial crisis is to be PREVENTATIVE (Crossfit and eating Paleo). What is the cost of not being preventative?
Here are some of those costs to think about…….. Americans spend $132 billion a year on diabetes medical care. That is an astounding figure folks. Identifying and treatment for early stages of breast cancer for a period of 9 months runs in the $200k’s. Insurance typically pays out 50-70% of that amount. So even if you’re on the top end of insurance, it could still cost you $60,000 out of pocket. A heart attack can cost you upwards of $45,000. If you happen to need open heart surgery then that number can double to a staggering $90,000. What happens if you are not retired and have to take months off work to recover with no pay? Unless you are ahead of most Americans, you are in trouble. This doesn’t even cover the cost of prescriptions, care takers, physical therapy and the damage it will do to you in the long run.
I could write a book on this topic. There is so much to cover on the financial cost of being unhealthy. In conclusion, taking care of you physically will ultimately matter financially. Now go have a paleo snack and head to the gym!
I.O.U.S.A. – the 30-Minute Version from IOUSA the Movie on Vimeo.
Comments
Damn girl! once again, fabulous post. it feeds right in to my “damnit i WANT to go to crossfit!” tantrum i have at the end of each month when i have to pony up the cash. Shawn, keep the popcorn under 4 gallons and i’m sure you’ll finish it in time =P
Well said Karina!
Fantastic post!!! I’ve been pitching Crossfit’s halo constantly, but I too have noticed when people also shut down when the dollar figure arrives. My fiance who will be starting the November On Ramp has a fantastic pitch similar to yours. He tells people, if you add up all the suppliments + protein shake powders + enhancers + doctor visits for injuries + your regular gym membership + medication +/- any personal training on top of all that; you’ll most likely be paying more on a monthly basis for all this complicated mumbo jumbo. If you think about it, it seems a little overwhelming the things you HAVE to do to maintain and not loose what you have. So while $160-$200 seems like a lot at first, I’m thinking that most people will either make a lateral move financially or even save. In my case, I just had a gym membership and was taking about 12 different vitamins and suppliments a day, plus my blood pressure medication which can add up pretty damn quick. So to go from $250 -$300 a month on trying to do the right thing and being very unsuccessful, to $160.00-$200.00, I’d say it’s time to hit the mall and buy some new clothes that fit with all the money I saved.
But Karina, it’s HARD to work out and eat right BUT lying on my couch, bitching to my doctor, and taking a bunch of nasty pills is so much EASIER!! And - I want a guick fix, to hell with working hard for something - I’ll just die a miserable death at a young age and leave all my medical debt to my kids to deal with. In other words, nice freaking post girl!!
Great post. I’ve said the same thing on a few occasions standing at the checkout counter of the grocery store when the shopper next to me comments on the expense of eating healthy. My comment, “It’s cheaper than the doctor’s office.”
GREAT post. Junk food and credit are tough things for people to manage because they are NEW. We have never dealt with twinkies, sodas and similar foods in the past. When we eat this stuff it completely short-circuits out normal “off” switches and we can get ourselves in serious trouble. It’s impossible for someone to overeat pork-loin and broccoli!
Similarly, credit is something people are not innately wired to handle. For the hunter-gatherer all of one’s worldly possessions were carried about from place to place and you simply made what you needed. “Credit” does not make sense in ecological terms and it takes significant restraint for people to not get themselves in a jam.
Hey ya’ll, thanks for the feedback. It is so great to hear you voice your opinions. I would lilke to make this a regular thing, posting the advantages to being fit which ultimately translates into being financially fit. We could spend a year on this topic so I just may! Becca have I ever told you that you rock???
nice post karina! i should send this to the financial aid office… or my healthcare insurance 
Awesome subject. It falls back on education. Without an understanding of how to manage money and health beyond what is in the main stream we fall behind. We have to be willing to invest our own time and energy into being in control of both. Don’t be a victim of financial advisors trying to sell you their product; or food companies teaching nutrition.
Karina you hit the nail on the head! Not to mention how many folks have to update their wardrobe each year to account for the extra pounds and inches! When you eat right and train right you reap the benefits of wearing a nice pair of jeans year after year! Talk about savings! Christina...get thee to the mall...those new clothes are an investment! You won’t be outgrowing them.
Great post Karina! This is all so true! Just wish the video was a little longer....didn’t even get to finish my popcorn....