Maybe you’re asking, “Is it worth paying for a gym or trainer?” Or you might think a little exercise is enough. But as a big believer in exercise – just ask my kids – I’m here to tell you that regular workouts can do more than just keep you healthy.
You probably know how good it feels to finish a workout. You’re a bit tired but also more energetic and happier. As we get older, we see the doctor more often. But what if you could see your doctor less by getting more exercise?
In this blog, I’ll share the top five reasons why regular exercise is good for your health and your money. So, stay with us and learn how fitness can help you save cash. Welcome to the exciting world of fitness and finance for all women over 50.
5 Reasons Exercising Regularly Will Benefit Your Finance
Failing to exercise regularly isn’t just a minor oversight. It’s a decision with severe consequences. The time to act is NOW. Prioritize your health and commit to regular exercise.
Growing older doesn’t mean you need to spend more on healthcare. Regular exercise isn’t just good for your body and mood. It can also help save money on healthcare costs. By staying active, you can stay healthier and avoid pricey medical bills.
According to a study by the Milken Institute, an estimated $1.1 trillion was lost due to lost productivity associated with chronic diseases in 2016. The same survey states that modest reductions in unhealthy behaviors could prevent or delay 40 million cases of chronic illness per year. Therefore, promoting healthier habits and preventative care could result in significant cost savings in healthcare.
The positive effects of Exercise on Age-Related Diseases
Here are several age-related diseases that can be prevented, or at least the risk significantly reduced, through regular exercise for people over 50:
- Cardiovascular diseases: Exercise helps control blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and can affect women at any age.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Regular physical activity can help regulate blood sugar levels and enhance insulin sensitivity (the body’s cells don’t respond normally to insulin), reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Reduced Immune Function: Regular moderate-intensity exercise can contribute to a strong immune system and be more efficient at fighting infections and diseases.
- Certain types of cancer: Physical activity is linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, including breast and colon cancer.
- Osteoporosis and Arthritis: Weight-bearing low-impact exercises like walking or weight lifting can help maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Exercise can manage arthritis symptoms or reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
- Obesity: Regular exercise, in combination with a healthy diet, can help maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of obesity and its related complications.
- Decreased Cognitive Function: Regular physical activity contributes to good brain health and helps prevent cognitive decline. Lack of exercise could contribute to a greater risk of cognitive impairment, including dementia.
- Depression and Anxiety: Regular exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It releases endorphins, which are a natural mood booster
Resources: How to stay active with Osteoarthritis with Alyssa Kuhn
Rising Health Care Costs: What’s Driving the Increase?
Staying healthier longer depends on various factors like age, genetics, lifestyle, type of healthcare coverage, geographical location, and more. However, it is widely accepted that leading a healthier lifestyle can substantially save healthcare costs. But how do Americans spend their healthcare dollars?
A lot of the money we spend on healthcare goes to treating long-lasting illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These costs include expensive hospital stays, surgeries, and visits to the emergency room. If people are healthier, they may not need to buy as many prescription medicines, which can often be costly, especially the ones from well-known brands.
Also, healthier individuals tend to take fewer sick days from work, meaning they can be more productive and financially stable. Plus, if people keep themselves healthier for longer, they may not need expensive care services at home or in nursing homes as early. This all means that being healthier can help save a lot of money.
According to a new study of exercising regularly, Medicare claims that people who start to exercise before or during middle age typically save anywhere from $824 to $1,874 annually on health care costs after retirement, and the earlier they start their workouts, the greater those savings can be.
Resources: How to stay fit, strong, and healthy in midlife
Top 5 Reasons Exercising Regularly Will Benefit Your Finances
Exercise is considered a form of preventative care because it helps maintain overall health and reduce the risk of developing lifestyle or age-related diseases and health conditions.
Even small changes in your daily life can help you live longer and better. A study of adults 40 and older found that taking 8,000 steps or more daily, compared to only 4,000 steps, was associated with a 51% lower risk of death from all causes.
Regular physical fitness plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing overall health. Here are five key benefits:
- Lower Healthcare Costs: Regular exercise, like brisk walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, or yard work, strengthens the heart and cardiovascular system, improves blood circulation, and reduces the risk of heart disease. It also can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Improved Mental Health: Regular exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms in people suffering from depression and anxiety. And provide an overall mood boost. This can potentially save on mental health treatments and medications.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin hormones. These are often called “feel-good” hormones because they help lower worry, stress, and sadness.
Besides, doing exercise, especially when you do it in a group or class, gives you a chance to meet and interact with new people, which can make your social life better and maybe even help you make new friends.
Exercising regularly can help you sleep better and save money on sleep aids or energy drinks. Because you sleep better, you’re lowering stress and improving brain functions like remembering things and paying attention.
- Lower Insurance Premiums: People who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle often qualify for lower health and life insurance premiums because insurance companies see them as lower risk.
- Prevention of Future Medical Expenses: Regular exercise needs to focus on a cross-training approach that includes balance, bone strengthening, and resistance training flexibility is essential to maintain bone density and joint flexibility, reducing the risk of injuries and illnesses in the future, lowering the chance of injuries and sickness in the future and saving you money on medical bills. That’s where the 5 Reasons Exercising Regularly Will Benefit Your Finances come in!
As we age, our balance may decline, increasing the risk of falls. Balance exercises are, therefore, critical. These can include Tai Chi, certain yoga poses, or specific balance-focused exercises.
Activities like jumping jacks, running, and weightlifting can help to strengthen bones and maintain bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Exercises focusing on flexibility include stretching exercises, yoga, or Pilates. Regular flexibility training can also help prevent injuries and falls and maintain mobility, especially as you age.
Strength or resistance exercises help maintain muscle mass, often decreasing with age, called sarcopenia. It also helps keep your bones strong, reducing the risk of fractures. Exercises using resistance bands, free weights, weight machines, or exercises that use your body weight, such as push-ups and squats.
Physical activity is crucial to managing weight because it helps burn calories. Regular exercise combined with a healthy diet is an effective strategy for weight loss and the prevention of obesity.
- Reduced Dependency on Bad Habits: Regular exercise can help combat addictions like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, leading to significant savings as the cost of these habits is often high.
The Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week or vigorous-intensity activity for 75 minutes per week.
How To Get Started Exercising Regularly
Remember, there is always time to start. No matter your age or current fitness level, you can begin to incorporate a 15-minute workout into your daily routine. The 15-minute investment in your health can lead to a future of decreased medical expenses and improved overall well-being.
Start with something that you enjoy. This will make it easier to stick to and increase your chances of success. Whether running, Pilates, or weightlifting, find an exercise routine that fits your interests and lifestyle.
Begin slowly and with small steps. Gradually increase your activity level; it could be as little as 1 minute at a time. If you’re new to exercise, start with a 15-minute walk each day and gradually increase the duration and intensity of your workout. Starting slow will help prevent injury and make it easier to stick to your routine.
Resources: How to increase mental and physical strength
Tips For Staying Consistent With Exercise
Staying consistent is essential when it comes to sticking to an exercise routine. Here are some tips to help you stay consistent:
- Set Clear, Achievable Goals: Start with simple goals and progress to longer-range targets. It could be as simple as “I will walk for 15 minutes today.” Then, gradually increase the intensity as you hit these targets. A clear goal can give you a sense of achievement and motivate you.
- Create a Routine and Stick to It: Consistency is critical. Try to schedule your workouts at the same time each day to establish a habit. This way, exercising becomes a regular part of your daily routine.
- Mix It Up: Variety keeps things fun and engaging. Don’t stick to one type of exercise. Mix cardio exercises like running or cycling with strength training, Pilates, or other workouts to keep things interesting. But also targets your three energy systems to get the heart pumping and muscles activated, and your brain benefits from the adrenaline boost.
Besides, those happy hormones you get from working out may make you stick to your healthy habits even more, and feeling fit is contagious!
Resources: 5 Simple Ways That Help You Exercise Consistently
If you’re fit, you’re likely following a balanced diet. While some may believe healthy foods are more expensive, people who eat balanced diets often don’t eat out or order take-out as frequently, which can save quite a bit of money over time.
Additionally, preparing meals at home usually allows for leftovers, which can reduce costs for future meals. For recipe ideas, check out my recipe packs for any lifestyle.
In addition, we can make several other lifestyle changes to improve our financial stability, such as stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, eating healthy and nutritious meals, creating a budget, reducing debt, and investing wisely.
So, why wait? Tie up those shoelaces, unroll that yoga mat, or dust off that stationary bike – your health and wallet will thank you!
Come and join the Fearlessly Fit Over 50 Club. With over 100 workouts to choose from with minimal equipment and features knee-friendly exercises, then look no further! Join our welcoming community and embrace the freedom to work out at home while transforming your health and well-being. So what do you think? Do those 5 reasons for exercising regularly to benefit your finances resonate with you?