The importance of Investing into our finical future has always been taught to us early in life.  More and more Americans spend a great amount of time learning what they need to do to secure investments such as the 401K, so they can have an enjoyable, stress free way of life finically when they reach retirement age.  But how often do Americans look at investing in their own health at the same time they are investing into their financial future?  According to a recent report with Urban Institute Fidelity Investments in 2010, the median out-of-pocket medical costs are expected to grow from about $2,600 in 2010 to $6,200 in 2040. 

Furthermore, Fidelity Investments estimates that a 65-year-old couple retiring in 2009 will need approximately $240,000 to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses throughout retirement.  In addition, the Employee Benefit Research Institute determined that a couple both age 65 will need to save $210,000 to have a 50 percent chance of paying for health expenses and $338,000 to have a 90 percent chance of being able to afford all their medical bills.[1]   By 2020 chronic conditions projected to be the leading cause of disability throughout the world.  For many Americans, individual behavior and lifestyle choices influence the development and course of chronic conditions.  Unhealthy behaviors, such as a poor diet, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use are risk factors for many chronic conditions and diseases.  A high calorie diet and sedentary lifestyle commonly result in excessive weight gain. 

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for a large number of chronic diseases, most significantly, type 2 diabetes, congestive heart failure, stroke, and hypertension.  Highlights from statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows the leading causes of death in the US for 2010 as follows:

• Heart disease: 616,067

Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease as regularly active people.[1]

• Cancer: 562,875

Moderate daily physical activity can reduce substantially the risk of developing or dying from certain cancers, such as colon cancer.[1]

• Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 135,952

Poor diet and inactivity can lead to overweight/obesity. Persons who are overweight or obese are at increased risk for stroke.[1]

I believe we can all make an effort to reduce these alarming numbers if we take charge of our own body’s with our own health. Understanding a need for that change, I created 401-Fitness Health to bring a variety of services to help educate and inspire you realize that your life can be enhanced, and empowered by investing in your own health.  At 401 FH we will help you working as a team to bring together the delicate harmony of your mind, body, and spirit in its purest form for a total healthy balance.

I’ve spent more than 18 years perfecting the combination of several modalities such as Acupuncture, Massage, and Personal Training, helping my clients realize the possibility of looking and feeling the way they have always dreamed of having and enoying. Just as you financially invest in your 401K, it is just as important to also invest in your own health.  We welcome you to explore what we have to offer and start taking charge of your own health.

References

1. US News Money, Posted: February 22, 2010 Retiree Health Care Costs Expected to Double by 204; Emily Brandon

2. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General.  Atlanta: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention