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"Free" Money
How many of you would like some easy money?
Obviously, I'm trying to capture your attention with this title, but, no, this isn't a scam. I'd simply like you to stop and think about how you might be wasting a lot of money each year.
Consider the following:
Nationwide, Americans spend an average of $7026 per person annually on health care (2006 data). A study from the U. Virginia showed the mean healthcare costs averaged $1824/yr in normal-weight subjects, but increased dramatically to $4336/yr in overweight (BMI 25-29) and $4744/yr in obese (BMI 30 or greater) subjects. (Wolf AM, et al. 2008)
Further, 1 in 5 adults takes four or more medications per day. Older adults (ages 65 and up), fill 22 prescriptions per year. In 2007, a mind-boggling 51% of Americans were taking one or more prescription drugs for a chronic condition.
This doesn't have to be you....
It turns out that something as simple as going for a daily walk can prevent, and even reverse, some of these health problems, and, thus, reduce your annual expenses on health care. Consider the following:
- An Italian study showed that a 3-mile daily walk could reduce drug expenses in diabetics by $500/yr and reduce other health care expenses by $700/yr. (DiLorento C, et al. 2005)
- In another study, walking at least 150 min/week was more effective than metformin (a diabetes drug) in preventing the development of diabetes in patients with pre-diabetes. (Knowler WC, et al. 2002)
- Participants in BC/BS's "Healthy Lifestyle Choices" saved an average of almost $200/yr in health care costs.
So, the choice is simple: wouldn't you rather shell out $100-150 for a good pair of running shoes than spend hundreds, if not thousands, more on health care expenses?
Remember, AthleteInMe.com® is your exercise partner. Sign up for our Online Fitness & Wellness Counseling Service. Regular e-mails from one of our trainers will help keep you going towards a better state of health.
Stan Reents, PharmD Editor In Chief Certified Personal Trainer Fitness & Wellness Coach
September 2010
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PDAthlete®
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Put details of 2000 restaurant menu items in the palm of your hand. Add PDAthlete® to your PDA or cell phone.
This is the mobile version of our nifty Restaurant Calorie Counter tool. Simply enter your weight, then select the menu items. Just like the web version,PDAthlete® will tell you how many minutes of walking, jogging, biking, or swimming are required to burn off an equivalent number of calories.
Works on devices that support Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 5.0 software for Pocket PC or SmartPhone. (sorry, no Palm version.)
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