My one wish is to have enough money to fund the overhead of a non-profit benefitting children in need. I would love to have enough to cover all of the expenses so that every penny went to helping those in need!
The research just say that people who work out AND don't know what is doing don't get results. And that's what happen to most people in gyms and ("magazine") dieting.
Who knows the right principles and follows them does get results. We can say that there are different methods but training is surely one of them. Correct training with correct dieting is the way.
To be honest, this article kind of sounds like so many other, hey, do nothing and you, too, can lose the weight! It may be true that going to the gym alone will not really solve your problem, and becoming overall active and changing your diet will help a lot with general weight loss, but if you truly want to become fit, you have to work at it. I lost a fair amount of the pregnant weight in the months after having our kids without doing much more than going on leisurely walks with the kids nearly every day. But then I hit a hall with it, and the walking just wasn't enough. It wasn't until I started running again that I really saw results.
I do think that a lifestyle change is more valuable than anything else. I'm a runner, and now that I have the running habit built back into my life, it's awesome. I eat healthier when I work out because my body just responds better to good food. I'm healthier, and that means less healthcare dollars, remember? Maybe there is extra (better) food to buy, but going to the doctor and taking a million prescriptions is a lot more expensive than just buying a little more food here and there.
I do have the benefit of a free gym right now, but I would absolutely consider joining one when this isn't available. I don't want pay a ton for it, but if you are actually going to use it, not pay up, then go every so often when you feel guilty, it's worth the money.
Interesting topic, I agree that Cash is King. Although, I find it to be quicker to pay with credit/debit in most places because making change seems to take a lot longer than it used to.
I actually wrote a blog post related to this topic, Cash is King: Sometimes it’s the Only Way to Pay - http://gainmoneycontrol.com/cash-is-king-sometimes-it’s-the-only-way-to-pay/
I wish more people thought this way. I love to spend money with cash - it's a great way to plan and keep my budget! If the cash is gone, I guess I have nothing more to spend! Mostly, I have learned these lessons the hard way, but it has been a fun journey. You can follow my journey as well as learn some new financial tidbits on my website: www.lifeandmyfinances.com . Check it out!
It is articles like this that make me consider removing Wise Bread from my RSS feed.
Yes, exercise is worth it! I find the more I exercise, the less crappy food I want and the less stressed I am. I sleep better, I feel better and I can do more. Plus,
But seriously, the quality of the content on this site is so variable, I wonder how you are able to keep any amount of readers.
I've never commented before, but felt the need this time. This post is completely silly. Like everyone else has already said, exercise for the sake of being healthy and fit is a good, good thing. While I agree with the idea that exercise alone does not always result in weight loss (it must be combined with improved eating habits), exercise is not a waste of time.
You buried what should have really been the point of your article -- 1) there are many, many FREE ways to get your heart rate up and improve your health (such as walking on errands, like you mention), and 2) it's important to find an activity that you enjoy (such as rock climbing, like you mention).
I haven't paid for a gym membership in years because I enjoy running. I can run anytime, anywhere and the only cost is that of a good pair of shoes. I'm more fit, more healthy, feel better, and yes, weigh less, because of it.
The benefits of exercising in whatever form works for you FAR outweigh any other issue.
Possibly the worst article I've ever read on Wisebread. Going to the gym or any other activity of your choosing is most definitely worth investing in yourself and your future self. I'd rather pay the small price of being active now so that at 65-70 years old I don't have major problems from a life of self neglect and denial that any sort of activity is a "waste of money, time and resources". The overall article to me seems to be it's better to be penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to your health.
For me, being active has resulted in a loss of 60 pounds over a 10 year period to 180+ lbs (on a 6' 1" frame). I know my health is much better, I have more energy and have no major health problems. My doctor told me at my last physical to "keep doing what I'm doing" because it makes his job easier! :)
This is the most sophist argument I've ever heard.
Let me start by saying that I've been a regular reader of WiseBread and love the posts. But seriously, this post invites ridicule.
You start by talking about the two groups of overweight women. One working out and the other group that did not. You say, and I quote "They didn't change their eating habits." Very next para, you say the group that worked out, ate more. Of course they would not lose weight if they make up for the calories burnt. Also, muscle weigh more than fat. So even if they lost fat and gained muscle, they might weigh the same. What was the differene in body fat percentage?
What about strength? A person sitting at home for a year and a person running regularly for a year, who do you think can run a marathon or climb a flight of stairs?
You continue saying, if a leisurely walk is the same as working out, why work out. Isn't leisurely walk, a walk - an exercise? You dispute your own proposition.
I used to be over weight. I am extremely healthy now. I can now run a marathon or climb a mountain. I have never been happier with myself.
Couldn't agree more. I think people sometimes get too caught up in trying to find the best place to invest their cash that they underestimate the value of just holding their money, or at least a portion of it, in cash.
I'd wish for a full-time job for my dear husband, the most wonderful man in the world, who is a born teacher, out of the classroom for the past 15 years and in this economy has had no luck in two years of intense applications. He's subbing and they love him but nothing in his area. We're close to the end of our rope in meeting our very bare-bones expenses and a full-time job for him (even if it isn't teaching) would put us back on track to meet our expenses and pay off what we've had to put on the cards.
Go to atlantic mutual.com. or principalreduction.com. They have a Principal reduction program. You do not have to be behind in your mortgage. You must have a debt to income ratio of 40-45% and other qualifiers.
I would wish for the housing market to come down just a little bit more or for me to receive a raise so I can feel comfortable buying a house. As it stands now, it is just out of my reach.
I wish for enough wealth to set up a flagship office for my boutique marketing firm. Oh - and enough left over for a dream European adventure with my best girlfriends!
I posed this same question a couple of weeks ago to my wife and mother-in-law, basically stating that you have to factor in not only a comparison to like goods and available funds in your budget, but also some degree of opportunity cost to confirm that this good/service is in fact where you want to allocate your hard-earned money and thus whether or not something is truly affordable. I noted there was a big difference between being able to buy something by going into debt, being able to buy something without going into debt and true affordability. To which they responded that I was uptight and too tight with money. Good comeback. Great post.
I agree the gym is a waste of money. I live in a community where a free gym is offered, but I rarely go. I went regularly for 3-4 months and saw very little results, which is in line with the study you referenced. I also choose not to go because it's not fun for me. I've never said to myself, "I can't wait to get on the treadmill at 6am tomorrow! YAY!"
Instead, I picked up a new hobby: tennis! They are tons of free courts in the area. I've been playing 3-4 times a week with friends. It's a great way to see your friends and catch up without spending $50 for dinner and drinks. Tennis is fun for me, first and foremost, but it does also have health benefits.
Any activity I can do with others- like taking a stroll in the park with my boyfriend- has the added benefit of nurturing those relationships in my life. I don't need a relationship with a treadmill.
I wish to have enough money to pay for my baby's ( now just bump!) education. I'de like to have enough set aside to pay for the very best in education.
1) Gym Fees: If you shop around you can usually get a pretty good deal, and you can definitely bargain. If you are working at a corporation, check if there are decreased rates for your workplace. Additionally, many insurance providers will give you a refund every 6 months or so for a set amount to cover all or some of a gym membership, providing you prove your attendance. (I get $200 every six months)
2)Time: Everyone has different priorities, but I go to the gym with my husband or a friend. This way we not only get to work out, and have a cheering section, but it's not time away from my loved ones.
3) Increased Calories Consumed: Exercise is only good for weight loss when combined with a healthy diet. So those who are exercising and then think that they are entitled to ice cream aren't going to lose weight. Diet is something like 80% of the equation, since 1 slice of bread could be equivalent to 20 minutes of cardio in terms of calories in/out. So yes, eating more may well cancel out the workout, but it seems likely that that is a psychological, rather than physiological effect.
Same goes for the overweight mail carriers. While they are walking a ton, unless they have a healthy diet, it won't prevent weight gain. Same for those big construction workers with big guts. Most Americans significantly underestimate the calories they are consuming: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/16/60minutes/main3513549.shtml
4)Injuries: Most gyms offer a free session with a trainer when you join. Take advantage of it, let them design an exercise plan. Every couple months either meet with a trainer to refine, or take advantage of the gym staff walking the floor. They are more than happy to help. Injuries are preventable with common sense and the help of professionals--obviously seek the advice of a doctor before starting any exercise plan.
And lastly, the reason why many of us exercise:
5) Cardiovascular health: walking or light exercise is unlikely to raise your heart rate enough to meet the ASCM guidelines. There are a number of other health benefits (increased bone density, lower stress, for those with respiratory issues better control) completely divorced from weight which those of us who work out regularly enjoy.
As someone who's only recently established a regular workout routine, I'd definitely say it's been worth it. I've never had an ounce of athleticism in me at any point in my life (seriously, I think I would've rather had bamboo shoots lodged under my fingernails than run a mile in gym class), so exercising always been a struggle. In the three months since I started working out, I've lost 15 pounds and found myself to be way happier and more productive than I've ever been. I still kind of hate the 45+ minutes I spend there everyday, but I feel so damn good once I finish that it's completely worth it. Do I get hungrier every day? Sure. But I compensate with food that's healthy and filling, because I realize that gorging myself on junk is going to undo all the work I've put into getting healthy. And as for the money, it sucks a bit, but shelling out gym membership fees motivates me to use my membership. The fact is, I'm not one of those people who's going to go jogging outside. And in 25 years, I haven't met a sport that I actually like. I live in a city, but it's a city that's never been conducive to pedestrians and cyclists. I work a desk job 40 hours per week and spend much of my free time doing freelance work online, so my lifestyle is pretty sedentary. If the air conditioning, the exercise equipment, and yes, even the televisions are what it takes to get someone like me actually exercise, then I'll gladly pay for it.
Beyond that, I feel like the assertion that exercise doesn't contribute to weight loss is pretty foolish. Obviously, it's been a big factor for me. Some folks could work out until they pass out and never lose a pound. So much has to do with genetics and body type--and there are as many different body types as there are people. It also probably depends on what your normal level of activity is during the day. If you're an active person, you burn more calories during the day. If not, you've got a lot of excess to burn in some other way. I think it's more about knowing yourself, your body and your habits and figuring out what works for you.
I don't really think you understand the important fact here. A lot of people think that more weight is exactly the same as bad health and a big belly. For a lot of people, this is true, but for some overweight means that they have lot more muscle in their body than fat.
It's true that the food we eat has a very high impact on the way our body works and to lose weight (or reduce the size of the belly) and serious reduction plan has to consider this as a essencial part of it.
But from this to say that going to the gym (or working out) is a waste of money, time and resources shows only that you had a bad experience and that you had not the knowledge of doing things when you tried.
First, it's true that people who exercise more are going to get more calories to complete tehir needs. But it's more important the type of calories their get. You just need to choose more healthy food. This might look like a lot more expensive, but most of the time it isnt. Going to the gym or working out (when the things are done properly) is a sure way to increase health and strenght. There is no other way to get those benefits.
Second, about time and money: When you workout or go to the gym you're investing in yourself, having fun and also not using your time and money in other things that make your health worse and/or more costly (going out to the movies, to eat out a lot, to purchase stuff to keep you busy). You can include your child in this experiences and make a base for there future life.
Also, when you keep your goals in mind and work to get them you usually feel better in almost all your activities.
Third, injuries (this is really kind of silly): Of course you will be on higher risk of being injuried when you excercise, but also when you drive, when you enter the shower, when you travel by bus, when you walk, and other more things.
If you do things right, and be a little cautious, the risk of injury is almost cero. Also, when you keep yourself fit, is less possible to get hurt in your daily activities.
This kind of articles sometimes puzzles me. I'm just waiting to see something like "why brushing your teeth is a waste of money" or "why go to school? you'll learn more in a job". "Why breathe? At the end you're going to die anyway".
Again, maybe you have bases to say this but a lot of people have a lot of better experiences with this.
I wish that speech therapist caseloads in the school setting would be limited to 25 students or fewer!! Be nice to your speech therapist--she probably has 50-60 students!!
My one wish is to have enough money to fund the overhead of a non-profit benefitting children in need. I would love to have enough to cover all of the expenses so that every penny went to helping those in need!
The research just say that people who work out AND don't know what is doing don't get results. And that's what happen to most people in gyms and ("magazine") dieting.
Who knows the right principles and follows them does get results. We can say that there are different methods but training is surely one of them. Correct training with correct dieting is the way.
I lost 22kg so i can talk :)
To be honest, this article kind of sounds like so many other, hey, do nothing and you, too, can lose the weight! It may be true that going to the gym alone will not really solve your problem, and becoming overall active and changing your diet will help a lot with general weight loss, but if you truly want to become fit, you have to work at it. I lost a fair amount of the pregnant weight in the months after having our kids without doing much more than going on leisurely walks with the kids nearly every day. But then I hit a hall with it, and the walking just wasn't enough. It wasn't until I started running again that I really saw results.
I do think that a lifestyle change is more valuable than anything else. I'm a runner, and now that I have the running habit built back into my life, it's awesome. I eat healthier when I work out because my body just responds better to good food. I'm healthier, and that means less healthcare dollars, remember? Maybe there is extra (better) food to buy, but going to the doctor and taking a million prescriptions is a lot more expensive than just buying a little more food here and there.
I do have the benefit of a free gym right now, but I would absolutely consider joining one when this isn't available. I don't want pay a ton for it, but if you are actually going to use it, not pay up, then go every so often when you feel guilty, it's worth the money.
Interesting topic, I agree that Cash is King. Although, I find it to be quicker to pay with credit/debit in most places because making change seems to take a lot longer than it used to.
I actually wrote a blog post related to this topic, Cash is King: Sometimes it’s the Only Way to Pay - http://gainmoneycontrol.com/cash-is-king-sometimes-it’s-the-only-way-to-pay/
I'm okay but I wish my kids were financially stable.
I wish more people thought this way. I love to spend money with cash - it's a great way to plan and keep my budget! If the cash is gone, I guess I have nothing more to spend! Mostly, I have learned these lessons the hard way, but it has been a fun journey. You can follow my journey as well as learn some new financial tidbits on my website: www.lifeandmyfinances.com . Check it out!
It is articles like this that make me consider removing Wise Bread from my RSS feed.
Yes, exercise is worth it! I find the more I exercise, the less crappy food I want and the less stressed I am. I sleep better, I feel better and I can do more. Plus,
But seriously, the quality of the content on this site is so variable, I wonder how you are able to keep any amount of readers.
I've never commented before, but felt the need this time. This post is completely silly. Like everyone else has already said, exercise for the sake of being healthy and fit is a good, good thing. While I agree with the idea that exercise alone does not always result in weight loss (it must be combined with improved eating habits), exercise is not a waste of time.
You buried what should have really been the point of your article -- 1) there are many, many FREE ways to get your heart rate up and improve your health (such as walking on errands, like you mention), and 2) it's important to find an activity that you enjoy (such as rock climbing, like you mention).
I haven't paid for a gym membership in years because I enjoy running. I can run anytime, anywhere and the only cost is that of a good pair of shoes. I'm more fit, more healthy, feel better, and yes, weigh less, because of it.
The benefits of exercising in whatever form works for you FAR outweigh any other issue.
Possibly the worst article I've ever read on Wisebread. Going to the gym or any other activity of your choosing is most definitely worth investing in yourself and your future self. I'd rather pay the small price of being active now so that at 65-70 years old I don't have major problems from a life of self neglect and denial that any sort of activity is a "waste of money, time and resources". The overall article to me seems to be it's better to be penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to your health.
For me, being active has resulted in a loss of 60 pounds over a 10 year period to 180+ lbs (on a 6' 1" frame). I know my health is much better, I have more energy and have no major health problems. My doctor told me at my last physical to "keep doing what I'm doing" because it makes his job easier! :)
This is the most sophist argument I've ever heard.
Let me start by saying that I've been a regular reader of WiseBread and love the posts. But seriously, this post invites ridicule.
You start by talking about the two groups of overweight women. One working out and the other group that did not. You say, and I quote "They didn't change their eating habits." Very next para, you say the group that worked out, ate more. Of course they would not lose weight if they make up for the calories burnt. Also, muscle weigh more than fat. So even if they lost fat and gained muscle, they might weigh the same. What was the differene in body fat percentage?
What about strength? A person sitting at home for a year and a person running regularly for a year, who do you think can run a marathon or climb a flight of stairs?
You continue saying, if a leisurely walk is the same as working out, why work out. Isn't leisurely walk, a walk - an exercise? You dispute your own proposition.
I used to be over weight. I am extremely healthy now. I can now run a marathon or climb a mountain. I have never been happier with myself.
Couldn't agree more. I think people sometimes get too caught up in trying to find the best place to invest their cash that they underestimate the value of just holding their money, or at least a portion of it, in cash.
I'd wish for a full-time job for my dear husband, the most wonderful man in the world, who is a born teacher, out of the classroom for the past 15 years and in this economy has had no luck in two years of intense applications. He's subbing and they love him but nothing in his area. We're close to the end of our rope in meeting our very bare-bones expenses and a full-time job for him (even if it isn't teaching) would put us back on track to meet our expenses and pay off what we've had to put on the cards.
Go to atlantic mutual.com. or principalreduction.com. They have a Principal reduction program. You do not have to be behind in your mortgage. You must have a debt to income ratio of 40-45% and other qualifiers.
I would wish for the housing market to come down just a little bit more or for me to receive a raise so I can feel comfortable buying a house. As it stands now, it is just out of my reach.
I wish for enough wealth to set up a flagship office for my boutique marketing firm. Oh - and enough left over for a dream European adventure with my best girlfriends!
I posed this same question a couple of weeks ago to my wife and mother-in-law, basically stating that you have to factor in not only a comparison to like goods and available funds in your budget, but also some degree of opportunity cost to confirm that this good/service is in fact where you want to allocate your hard-earned money and thus whether or not something is truly affordable. I noted there was a big difference between being able to buy something by going into debt, being able to buy something without going into debt and true affordability. To which they responded that I was uptight and too tight with money. Good comeback. Great post.
I agree the gym is a waste of money. I live in a community where a free gym is offered, but I rarely go. I went regularly for 3-4 months and saw very little results, which is in line with the study you referenced. I also choose not to go because it's not fun for me. I've never said to myself, "I can't wait to get on the treadmill at 6am tomorrow! YAY!"
Instead, I picked up a new hobby: tennis! They are tons of free courts in the area. I've been playing 3-4 times a week with friends. It's a great way to see your friends and catch up without spending $50 for dinner and drinks. Tennis is fun for me, first and foremost, but it does also have health benefits.
Any activity I can do with others- like taking a stroll in the park with my boyfriend- has the added benefit of nurturing those relationships in my life. I don't need a relationship with a treadmill.
I wish to have enough money to pay for my baby's ( now just bump!) education. I'de like to have enough set aside to pay for the very best in education.
Yes it is worth it, for the following reasons:
1) Gym Fees: If you shop around you can usually get a pretty good deal, and you can definitely bargain. If you are working at a corporation, check if there are decreased rates for your workplace. Additionally, many insurance providers will give you a refund every 6 months or so for a set amount to cover all or some of a gym membership, providing you prove your attendance. (I get $200 every six months)
2)Time: Everyone has different priorities, but I go to the gym with my husband or a friend. This way we not only get to work out, and have a cheering section, but it's not time away from my loved ones.
3) Increased Calories Consumed: Exercise is only good for weight loss when combined with a healthy diet. So those who are exercising and then think that they are entitled to ice cream aren't going to lose weight. Diet is something like 80% of the equation, since 1 slice of bread could be equivalent to 20 minutes of cardio in terms of calories in/out. So yes, eating more may well cancel out the workout, but it seems likely that that is a psychological, rather than physiological effect.
Same goes for the overweight mail carriers. While they are walking a ton, unless they have a healthy diet, it won't prevent weight gain. Same for those big construction workers with big guts. Most Americans significantly underestimate the calories they are consuming: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/16/60minutes/main3513549.shtml
4)Injuries: Most gyms offer a free session with a trainer when you join. Take advantage of it, let them design an exercise plan. Every couple months either meet with a trainer to refine, or take advantage of the gym staff walking the floor. They are more than happy to help. Injuries are preventable with common sense and the help of professionals--obviously seek the advice of a doctor before starting any exercise plan.
And lastly, the reason why many of us exercise:
5) Cardiovascular health: walking or light exercise is unlikely to raise your heart rate enough to meet the ASCM guidelines. There are a number of other health benefits (increased bone density, lower stress, for those with respiratory issues better control) completely divorced from weight which those of us who work out regularly enjoy.
I wish for the money to own my dream lake cabin to enjoy with my family for years and years to come.
my wish is for 60K. 30K for another adoption, and 30K for a new honda van to drive around my kids! (i have 3, but want 4 or 5) :)
As someone who's only recently established a regular workout routine, I'd definitely say it's been worth it. I've never had an ounce of athleticism in me at any point in my life (seriously, I think I would've rather had bamboo shoots lodged under my fingernails than run a mile in gym class), so exercising always been a struggle. In the three months since I started working out, I've lost 15 pounds and found myself to be way happier and more productive than I've ever been. I still kind of hate the 45+ minutes I spend there everyday, but I feel so damn good once I finish that it's completely worth it. Do I get hungrier every day? Sure. But I compensate with food that's healthy and filling, because I realize that gorging myself on junk is going to undo all the work I've put into getting healthy. And as for the money, it sucks a bit, but shelling out gym membership fees motivates me to use my membership. The fact is, I'm not one of those people who's going to go jogging outside. And in 25 years, I haven't met a sport that I actually like. I live in a city, but it's a city that's never been conducive to pedestrians and cyclists. I work a desk job 40 hours per week and spend much of my free time doing freelance work online, so my lifestyle is pretty sedentary. If the air conditioning, the exercise equipment, and yes, even the televisions are what it takes to get someone like me actually exercise, then I'll gladly pay for it.
Beyond that, I feel like the assertion that exercise doesn't contribute to weight loss is pretty foolish. Obviously, it's been a big factor for me. Some folks could work out until they pass out and never lose a pound. So much has to do with genetics and body type--and there are as many different body types as there are people. It also probably depends on what your normal level of activity is during the day. If you're an active person, you burn more calories during the day. If not, you've got a lot of excess to burn in some other way. I think it's more about knowing yourself, your body and your habits and figuring out what works for you.
I don't really think you understand the important fact here. A lot of people think that more weight is exactly the same as bad health and a big belly. For a lot of people, this is true, but for some overweight means that they have lot more muscle in their body than fat.
It's true that the food we eat has a very high impact on the way our body works and to lose weight (or reduce the size of the belly) and serious reduction plan has to consider this as a essencial part of it.
But from this to say that going to the gym (or working out) is a waste of money, time and resources shows only that you had a bad experience and that you had not the knowledge of doing things when you tried.
First, it's true that people who exercise more are going to get more calories to complete tehir needs. But it's more important the type of calories their get. You just need to choose more healthy food. This might look like a lot more expensive, but most of the time it isnt. Going to the gym or working out (when the things are done properly) is a sure way to increase health and strenght. There is no other way to get those benefits.
Second, about time and money: When you workout or go to the gym you're investing in yourself, having fun and also not using your time and money in other things that make your health worse and/or more costly (going out to the movies, to eat out a lot, to purchase stuff to keep you busy). You can include your child in this experiences and make a base for there future life.
Also, when you keep your goals in mind and work to get them you usually feel better in almost all your activities.
Third, injuries (this is really kind of silly): Of course you will be on higher risk of being injuried when you excercise, but also when you drive, when you enter the shower, when you travel by bus, when you walk, and other more things.
If you do things right, and be a little cautious, the risk of injury is almost cero. Also, when you keep yourself fit, is less possible to get hurt in your daily activities.
This kind of articles sometimes puzzles me. I'm just waiting to see something like "why brushing your teeth is a waste of money" or "why go to school? you'll learn more in a job". "Why breathe? At the end you're going to die anyway".
Again, maybe you have bases to say this but a lot of people have a lot of better experiences with this.
I wish that speech therapist caseloads in the school setting would be limited to 25 students or fewer!! Be nice to your speech therapist--she probably has 50-60 students!!
I'm sorry, I usually don't post anything negative, but this whole article is ridiculous.