Count the Cost

Everything has its price. Our time, food, clothes, transportation, health, and every decision we make. Everything has its price! The question is whether you are willing to pay the price necessary to attain whatever it is you want.

Whether it be on tv, at social gatherings, or just conversations with friends, I have seen more dissatisfaction than ever with people's health. By health I mean anything from weight, looks, fitness levels, mental health, or just physical wellness. It is no secret that the United States is seeing obesity rates higher than any other time in history. The leading cause of death is heart disease but some predict type II diabetes to eventually take that number one spot due to poor dietary choices combined with a lack of physical activity.

Yet with this dissatisfaction and numerous warnings, very little is changing. Most people treat the problems rather than work at preventing them in the first place. That is the purpose of this article. I want to encourage you to truly count the cost and realize that it is far more affordable to pay the price now than later.

What are the costs? First, understand that there is no easy, quick fix. You will have to watch what you eat. You have to sacrifice junk food you may crave for good food your body needs. You may have to count calories for a while until you establish a healthy yet consistent eating pattern. Secondly, you have to sweat. You will have to breathe hard and hurt. You will have to build muscle which requires hard work. In other words, stop walking and start running. Stop sitting on expensive bicep curl machines and resting between sets. Instead, start moving your own body weight vertically, horizontally and in every other direction possible. Do pull-ups, squats, push-ups and sit-ups. Start lifting barbells, dumbbells, and medicine balls. Learn to jump rope, hurdles, on and off boxes, and in turn, life's obstacles. Workout safe yet hard, controlled yet fast, and know your limits yet test them daily. Do all of this and you will truly realize that the cost was well worth the price you paid.