Health is Wealth In This Economy and Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference

We are all painfully aware of the downturn in the economy and most of us have had to adjust and “tighten our belts.” We live in a world where money is important, but we also know that you cannot put a price tag on good health.

Although there are circumstances beyond our control regarding certain health issues, we still do have the ability to change some things through exercise and diet.

I have had the pleasure and opportunity to help people make lifestyle changes through exercise and diet modifications. For example, Americans consume far too much salt in their diets. Sodium is an important factor in weight gain, high blood pressure and other critical aspects of health.

Sodium in the body “holds on” to water. This water adds weight and puts a strain on the heart, lungs, kidneys and just about every organ. Therefore, sodium intake is something that is controllable and does not cost a thing.

However, it is not always easy. For example, specifying “no salt please” at a restaurant does not guarantee a low sodium content. Just the other day my husband thought he was ordering a healthy meal. I quickly Googled the name of the restaurant chain and discovered his “healthy” meal contained 820 milligrams of sodium. As a point of reference, less than 2,000 milligrams is the maximum recommended daily allowance.

Along with diet modifications, exercise plays a key role in staying healthy. Maintaining and starting an exercise program will not solve every problem but it certainly lowers many health risks. It seems to me that our members must realize this because our enrollment remains strong and the level of activities at our centers remains high. I personally attribute this to the family atmosphere at our centers and our highly qualified staff.

Exercise is a good way of relieving the stress of finding a new job and coping with this economy. So while we cannot necessarily control the economy, we can take control of many aspects of our health through diet and exercise.

--Jane Reynolds
Health and Fitness Technician
Hospital South Health and Fitness