We all know about the pressure being heaped on the NHS. Even booking an appointment for the doctor can be a challenge, and the number of people wanting appointments has risen in the last few years too. We know that we are living longer but that means some people are becoming more needy of health services.
It got me thinking about the choices we make about our wellbeing. It feels like some people want to treat the outcome of not looking after themselves rather than looking after themselves in the first place! This seems crazy to me. Who wants to be in pain or feel tightness or lack mobility if they can avoid it?
For some people, it may come down to cost. Classes, gym memberships, swim sessions, even running all add up when you add in kit costs but think about how much paying for healthcare costs.
Yes, the NHS currently foots the bill for so many things, but these days most people pay for physiotherapy, massage, counselling, and other therapies. If you have paid for any of these treatments, you will know how much they cost. Add in a few glasses of wine when you are feeling stressed, and the bill for dealing with the physical and mental aches and pains of life can really mount up.
Now compare what you could be spending on being well. In my mind, the cost of looking after your health is the ultimate investment. Whether that is Pilates, Zumba, running, swimming, gym – whatever gets you going – you are looking after yourself now and for the future.
Keeping the weight off, looking after your heart and your bones, becoming more flexible, and staying mobile will mean you do not have to make that doctor’s appointment, or ring your physio, or book in with your counsellor, etc. Sure, you may end up with a few tweaks or injuries here and there, but your total wellbeing will still be improved.
Who knows, maybe one day we will live in a society where fitness will be free rather than health services, but until then we have a choice to make: Treat ourselves to the benefits of fitness or treat the injuries, stress, illnesses, etc, that occur because we are not fit.
I think this decision is even more important for women facing the menopause. As referred to in previous blogs, fitter and stronger women cope with the menopause far better than unfit women, so there is definitely a choice to make here.
Strength work can help you reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Cardiovascular activity, like Zumba, running, cycling or HIIT classes, can improve your heart health. Balance classes like Pilates and yoga can reduce the risk of falling over and improve mobility. Bupa recommends 150 minutes of exercise per week, including two strength sessions, for perimenopausal and menopausal women to improve heart health, encourage better sleep, reduce anxiety and low mood, and support bone health.
This is the very reason I built my series of classes in the first place…to deal with my own menopause experience and back injury. Now, I am fit as a I have ever been! I appreciate I have the knowledge to look after myself, but I set up Lara’s Fitness to help others. Yes, it involves some investment from my clients, but I believe it is better to pay to be well and healthy rather than paying to recover and heal. Please comment below as I would love to know what you think.
If you would like my advice on exercise pre, through or post menopause, please get in touch. I offer online strength, Pilates and Zumba classes, plus in-person Pilates classes in the South Hams. You can check out my classes here.