By Diana Chaloux
Guest Columnist

We always hear about the benefits of exercise but today I’d like to look at the flip side of that coin, what about the cost of not making healthy lifestyle choices? What happens to our bodies in the long run if we continually make unhealthy choices?

I’d like to tell you about a client of mine; I’ll call her Sue. Sue apprehensively started developing healthy eating and exercise habits several months ago and is overjoyed to see her body changing and her energy levels and confidence increasing.

Her motivation for lifestyle change didn’t come from a desire to fit into a size six or even to improve her health. What triggered her into action was evaluating the cost of not exercising, she began to realize that her body wasn’t functioning the way it once could, she wasn’t sure of her steps any longer, she was beginning to feel uncomfortable in her own skin. The longer she continued with her current lifestyle the worse these problems were becoming.

Despite the fact that she was carrying a lot of extra weight, she was still considered healthy, but she realized that in the long run without making some changes, she would lose this status as well.

For Sue, understanding the cost of not exercising was more powerful than hearing all the benefits. Realizing that within a few years, she may not be able to walk up the stairs on her own, or walk down the hall without running out of breath, understanding the likelihood of walking into the doctor’s office and discovering she no longer had a clean bill of health sparked her into action.

We all have a body, we only get one and it is our “home.” The title of one of my favorite books by Dr. Jane Pentz sums up my next point very nicely “If You Don’t Take Care of Your Body, Where Are You Going to Live?”

So simple, but so true! The cost of not making healthier eating and exercise choices is that you won’t have a safe, healthy and reliable “home” to live in. What happens to homes that aren’t maintained? After time they become worn out, they crumble and eventually they can come crashing down.

The choice to not make healthy lifestyle changes can be very costly. We know about the risk of developing debilitating diseases, but how about the little things, the everyday things that you may take for granted now. Costs of not taking care of your body can include not being able to walk up stairs, not being able to walk down a hallway, not being able to keep up with your children or grandchildren, not having the energy to function efficiently at your job, not having a healthy relationship with your spouse, not feeling comfortable in your clothing, not feeling comfortable in your own skin.

There are millions of Americans who are still very resistant to make healthy lifestyle choices. Perhaps you are one of them. If so, here are a couple of questions to ask. How will my life change if I stay the same? How will my health change if I continue with my current habits? What are my reasons for not making changes? How will my body feel if I stay the same?

We all know what the benefits of healthy living are, but, if that’s not enough, consider the great cost of not making healthier choices. Can you afford it?

If these questions have you contemplating making changes, I encourage you to start small, make small changes to your eating habits and start adding small bits of physical activity into your day. Every little bit makes a difference, every healthy choice counts.

Diana Chaloux is a certified personal trainer, fitness coach, nutrition specialist, National Physique Committee Figure Competitor and owner of Destined 2 Be Fit (www.d2bfit.com) in San Antonio. Contact Diana at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it