Everyone seems to be talking about it.
It’s on the news every night.
Governments are responding with all sorts of stimulus packages.
And all the experts are giving advice on how to survive the global financial crisis.
Interestingly, many of the rules or tips around money are also relevant for fitness and health.
So…not to be out done by all the money experts, I’ve taken some tips about money I’ve read recently and adapted them to apply to fitness.
Money Tip 1 – Spend less than you earn
If you spend less than you earn you are on the way to a wealth and you avoid the pressure that living beyond your means can eventually bring.
Fitness Tip 1 – Be fitter than you need to be
If you are fitter than you need to be for your normal daily activities, they will always be within your physical comfort zone and therefore easy to do. It’s when you let your fitness gradually deteriorate to the point that daily activities become a challenge and everyday life feels like hard work.
The only way to be fitter than you need is to push yourself out of your comfort zone a few times a week. This should include some short bursts of high intensity exercise and some strength training.
Money Tip 2 – Understand how little thins add up
This money tip highlights the importance of being aware of all the little things you spend your money on and how it can add up. (Just check your latest credit card statement)
Fitness Tip 2 – Short bursts of activity add up
The same goes for fitness. One workout won’t make much difference to your fitness or your waist, but regular exercise over a year can make a huge difference to both your waistline and your level of fitness. The key to fitness is doing the right things consistently. Short but regular training sessions are more worthwhile than longer, infrequent workouts. Get into a regular routine and stick to it.
Also, use every opportunity to be active. Walking or riding to the shops, taking the stairs or doing some push-ups while watching TV all help to keep us that bit fitter and prevent the gradual increase in body fat that too many people experience.
Money Tip 3 – Use strategy not discipline.
This money tip highlights the trap that many people fall into of spending what they want and investing what’s left over at the end of the month. For most people this turns out to be nothing, so they don’t end up saving anything.
Fitness Tip 3 – Set a goal, make a plan and stick to it
I see many people do the same with their exercise sessions. They have the best intentions but let other things get in the way. Work’s too busy. The kids need picking up/dropping off. The house needs cleaning.
All these things are important and need to be done. People who make their exercise a priority however, usually have the energy to get these tasks done quicker and more efficiently than someone who is unfit.
If you struggle to find the time to exercise, get up 30 minutes earlier and do it before the demands of the day start competing for your attention. It will be hard for the first month but your body will get used to it and be grateful in the long term.
Money Tip 4 – Know how the numbers work.
The money tip talks about knowing how much money will cost depending on the interest rate and the term of the loan.
Fitness Tip 4 – Know how intensity and time are related
The fitness analogy is be aware of the relationship between the intensity you exercise at and the time required to get fitness benefits. For years we were taught that provided you got your heart rate up a bit for a reasonable period of time you would get fitter. While this is true to a point, it isn’t the most efficient and effective way to get fit. Working hard for short bursts is certainly more effective and requires less time. I believe it also takes less mental effort to push yourself for short bursts than have to sustain a moderate intensity for longer period.
There you have them, my adaptation of money tips for fitness in the global financial crisis.
Here’s a final tip
This probably won’t be the last financial crisis we see so the fitter you are the more likely that you will be able to cope with the next one. Imagine losing half your retirement savings and not being fit enough and healthy enough to keep working for a few more years. I personally know of one 70-plus year old doing some handyman jobs to earn extra money. He can only do this because he is fit enough. Would you be?
