Sorry I have to vent...

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I realize this might "ruffle some feathers" but I have to get this off my chest. :grumble:

Why is it that people will set aside large sums of money on a monthly basis to make car payments, car insurance payments, gasoline; yet when it comes t investing in their health everyone thinks it is an "extra" expense? Are we that dense as a society that we will pay hundreds of dollars to mechanics to fix our cars that cost us tens of thousands of dollars, yet when it comes to investing in our health through nutrition and exercise we don't value our BODIES enough to bring them to an expert? Do we REALLY value our possessions more than ourselves? Looking at things from a logical point of view, in the long run; nutritionists, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and personal trainers should be seen as MORE of a necessary expense than some of the things society deems "necessary". Seem to me we, as a society, have our priorities screwed up.

/end rant.
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Replies

  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
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    A little self-education (free) obviates the need for personal trainers, nutritionists, etc.

    Additionally, exercise is free.
  • Beckyloo80
    Beckyloo80 Posts: 1,088 Member
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    Awe pumpkin!

    I do agree with you, however, on the other hand, I have 2 kids, I have a mortgage, I have a car payment and monthly bills.... at the end of the month, there isn't a lot left for me to pay for a personal trainer. There is nothing I would love more then to hire someone to help me reach my goals and to help me with my health, but trainers can be quite pricey, and at the end of the day I don't have the extra income to do so.

    My health benefits cover the cost of Massage therapy, physical therapy and chiropractors, if there was a health benefit for personal training, you bet I'd be all over it.

    =) Muwah
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
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    I realize this might "ruffle some feathers" but I have to get this off my chest. :grumble:

    Why is it that people will set aside large sums of money on a monthly basis to make car payments, car insurance payments, gasoline; yet when it comes t investing in their health everyone thinks it is an "extra" expense? Are we that dense as a society that we will pay hundreds of dollars to mechanics to fix our cars that cost us tens of thousands of dollars, yet when it comes to investing in our health through nutrition and exercise we don't value our BODIES enough to bring them to an expert? Do we REALLY value our possessions more than ourselves? Looking at things from a logical point of view, in the long run; nutritionists, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and personal trainers should be seen as MORE of a necessary expense than some of the things society deems "necessary". Seem to me we, as a society, have our priorities screwed up.

    /end rant.

    because im an american, and i make my own money, and its my choice what i choose to buy with my money. if i want to pay a grip for car and gas, thats my choice. the government SHOULD NOT have the right to force me to buy a product. THATS MY ANSWER TO YOU QUESTION IN GENERAL... i however do pay for health insurance, because i have 5 children and a husband, and i want us all to stay healthy with regular dr visits and protection in case any illness should arise. THAT BEING SAID, I SHOULDNT BE FORCED TO DO IT, UNLESS I WANT TO DO IT. i just happen to want to do it.
  • Falenea
    Falenea Posts: 263 Member
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    Awe pumpkin!

    I do agree with you, however, on the other hand, I have 2 kids, I have a mortgage, I have a car payment and monthly bills.... at the end of the month, there isn't a lot left for me to pay for a personal trainer. There is nothing I would love more then to hire someone to help me reach my goals and to help me with my health, but trainers can be quite pricey, and at the end of the day I don't have the extra income to do so.

    My health benefits cover the cost of Massage therapy, physical therapy and chiropractors, if there was a health benefit for personal training, you bet I'd be all over it.

    =) Muwah


    Totally agree with this. And why cant some of our tax money go towards goverment funded heath centers?
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
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    So if it's so important, why are they stupidly expensive and not covered by the mass amount of health care that people pay for? I live in Canada, my doctor is covered, my optometrist is covered, those are two very integral parts of my life. My personal trainer? Is not covered. I can't learn about how to cure skin disease in books, but I can learn how to eat properly and work out. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars a year during this age of information. Trial and error, that's how most of us have succeeded in this stupid path of weight loss.
  • Fozzi43
    Fozzi43 Posts: 2,984 Member
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    Because some people think their health isn't worth the money when they want to buy magic pills and crappy gimmicky exercise stuff that the tv companies put on in the wee hours.

    People need to realise that exercise is free and healthy food needn't cost anymore than the crap they shove in their mouths.
  • jillwhite12
    jillwhite12 Posts: 102 Member
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    The way I see it, I have no choice but to put money into my car payment, gas, etc... because without my car, I couldn't get to work and without work, I would't be able to live... So that part isn't about putting my possessions before my health. It's about living and surviving... As for putting money into my health, I do think health is important and I do put money into it if need be but as someone else mentionned, exercise is free... and eating healthy isn't free but if you're going to buy food anyway, you may as well buy healthy...which I do...
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
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    Awe pumpkin!

    I do agree with you, however, on the other hand, I have 2 kids, I have a mortgage, I have a car payment and monthly bills.... at the end of the month, there isn't a lot left for me to pay for a personal trainer. There is nothing I would love more then to hire someone to help me reach my goals and to help me with my health, but trainers can be quite pricey, and at the end of the day I don't have the extra income to do so.

    My health benefits cover the cost of Massage therapy, physical therapy and chiropractors, if there was a health benefit for personal training, you bet I'd be all over it.

    =) Muwah


    Totally agree with this. And why cant some of our tax money go towards goverment funded heath centers?

    Government funded health centers...are you serious? We need to take personal responsibility for our health and outsource another realm of responsibility to our all knowing leaders.
  • Kimdbro
    Kimdbro Posts: 922 Member
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    I'm pretty lucky... I live in Canada and my healthcare is paid for, over and above that the company I work for gives me additional benefits to cover Chiropractor, Optometrist, Physio, Acupucture, Prescription drugs and full dental coverage, they give me an additional $1500 toward Health/Life spending, this covers fitness equipment, Sports equipment, Club memberships, or Personal Trainer, Gym memberships etc. So in some cases there are people/businesses that have put a value on our fitness and health. More places should get on board with this philosophy.
  • KtotheD78
    KtotheD78 Posts: 58 Member
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    I realize this might "ruffle some feathers" but I have to get this off my chest. :grumble:

    Why is it that people will set aside large sums of money on a monthly basis to make car payments, car insurance payments, gasoline; yet when it comes t investing in their health everyone thinks it is an "extra" expense? Are we that dense as a society that we will pay hundreds of dollars to mechanics to fix our cars that cost us tens of thousands of dollars, yet when it comes to investing in our health through nutrition and exercise we don't value our BODIES enough to bring them to an expert? Do we REALLY value our possessions more than ourselves? Looking at things from a logical point of view, in the long run; nutritionists, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and personal trainers should be seen as MORE of a necessary expense than some of the things society deems "necessary". Seem to me we, as a society, have our priorities screwed up.

    /end rant.

    Who knows. This is what I think about when I go to the gym. It's an investment in my body because what good is anything else in my life if I don't have my health?! Plus, I take my kids there for activities as well :)
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
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    I'm pretty lucky... I live in Canada and my healthcare is paid for, over and above that the company I work for gives me additional benefits to cover Chiropractor, Optometrist, Physio, Acupucture, Prescription drugs and full dental coverage, they give me an additional $1500 toward Health/Life spending, this covers fitness equipment, Sports equipment, Club memberships, or Personal Trainer, Gym memberships etc. So in some cases there are people/businesses that have put a value on our fitness and health. More places should get on board with this philosophy.

    You won't feel so lucky when you need some diagnostics tests if you get cancer and it takes nine months to get them.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
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    I agree. We spend time and energy on everything but our own health, putting it last instead of first.

    I know people who are constantly worried about the amount that they are spending on food and constantly strive to live on the cheapest low quality food even though they can afford healthier options. People who spend large sums on cable TV but who won't shell out for a gym membership or even decent running shoes.

    Maintaining a car is necessary to survival, yes. Maintaining your body, however is infinitely more important.
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
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    pretty soon we will have government mandated "state" uniforms to wear, maybe even have our tounges cut out if we talk negative about our government... this mandated health care, forcing americans to purchase a product is just one more reason to fear the idea of a socialist society. pretty soon we will live like north korea, and have absolutely no control over our own lives. taxing us into not drinking soda? really? how about, i dont murder, i dont steal, and i follow the laws of the land, and thats it... freedom? what freedom? its slowly being taken from me... i buy health insurance because i want health insurance... that should be my choice...

    and i will graciously bow out of this now, because all it does it get me upset...
  • sunglasses_and_ocean_waves
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    I'm pretty lucky... I live in Canada and my healthcare is paid for, over and above that the company I work for gives me additional benefits to cover Chiropractor, Optometrist, Physio, Acupucture, Prescription drugs and full dental coverage, they give me an additional $1500 toward Health/Life spending, this covers fitness equipment, Sports equipment, Club memberships, or Personal Trainer, Gym memberships etc. So in some cases there are people/businesses that have put a value on our fitness and health. More places should get on board with this philosophy.

    Yeah but you guys have crap health care compared to the US. Having just gone thru cancer, I can tell you that my Canadian BC sisters did not have 1/2 of the freedom and options I had in the US. I am self insured. It's costly, but I do not ***** and complain, because I can go to any dr I want and usually will be seen within a week. Freedom is about choice, I don't want some aholes in washington deciding what's acceptable for reconstruction. Um no thanks.

    I have to vent about this vent. Why are you so overfilled with anger about what other people do? You were so upset you had to vent it out? Get a real problem dude.
  • Kimdbro
    Kimdbro Posts: 922 Member
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    I'm pretty lucky... I live in Canada and my healthcare is paid for, over and above that the company I work for gives me additional benefits to cover Chiropractor, Optometrist, Physio, Acupucture, Prescription drugs and full dental coverage, they give me an additional $1500 toward Health/Life spending, this covers fitness equipment, Sports equipment, Club memberships, or Personal Trainer, Gym memberships etc. So in some cases there are people/businesses that have put a value on our fitness and health. More places should get on board with this philosophy.

    You won't feel so lucky when you need some diagnostics tests if you get cancer and it takes nine months to get them.

    Im confused by this statement, my Mother went through this issue last summer and didn't have any issues with diagnostics or anything else for that matter, she was cared for quickly, her tests and imaging were all complete and her tumour removed within a month . Your comment is rude and uncalled for, I'm astonished by your lack of compassion.
  • ptjolsen
    ptjolsen Posts: 365 Member
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    So how many of us would use the Doctor as often as we do if health insurance didn't exist? People use them on a regular basis because they are covered on a health insurance program....What ever happened to walking or riding a bike (for most of us) Better on your health and saving the environment!
  • zlauerMom
    zlauerMom Posts: 183 Member
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    pretty soon we will have government mandated "state" uniforms to wear, maybe even have our tounges cut out if we talk negative about our government... this mandated health care, forcing americans to purchase a product is just one more reason to fear the idea of a socialist society. pretty soon we will live like north korea, and have absolutely no control over our own lives. taxing us into not drinking soda? really? how about, i dont murder, i dont steal, and i follow the laws of the land, and thats it... freedom? what freedom? its slowly being taken from me... i buy health insurance because i want health insurance... that should be my choice...

    and i will graciously bow out of this now, because all it does it get me upset...
    Did you read the same original post as I? I didn't read anything about government mandated anything.
  • sunglasses_and_ocean_waves
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    I'm pretty lucky... I live in Canada and my healthcare is paid for, over and above that the company I work for gives me additional benefits to cover Chiropractor, Optometrist, Physio, Acupucture, Prescription drugs and full dental coverage, they give me an additional $1500 toward Health/Life spending, this covers fitness equipment, Sports equipment, Club memberships, or Personal Trainer, Gym memberships etc. So in some cases there are people/businesses that have put a value on our fitness and health. More places should get on board with this philosophy.

    You won't feel so lucky when you need some diagnostics tests if you get cancer and it takes nine months to get them.

    Im confused by this statement, my Mother went through this issue last summer and didn't have any issues with diagnostics or anything else for that matter, she was cared for quickly, her tests and imaging were all complete and her tumour removed within a month . Your comment is rude and uncalled for, I'm astonished by your lack of compassion.

    He doesn;t lack compassion. And I will tell you straight up that my Canadian BC sisters waited LONGER for tests than I did in the US, Plus I had far better choices for reconstruction. The ones with money come here for surgery.

    I hope your mom's OK.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
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    You sound incredibly privileged, OP. Yes, eating and exercising as well as you can is always a good idea. But far more factors than laziness go into the reasons why people don't. To assign it all to just plain not wanting to is sheltered. It shows a lack of comprehension of the nuanced and comprehensive larger issues.
  • sarahmoo12
    sarahmoo12 Posts: 756 Member
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    i live in britian we have the NHS ... I can afford PT prices either and need my car for work and have a big rent bill, food bills, animal bills, pet insurance ect ect I get massage n stuff when I can put you can get fit and get your nutrition right by talking to a doctor or reading online