As if it isn’t bad enough that the recession has affected our wallets, it’s now hitting our waistlines. The economic downturn has made loosing weight and staying in shape more difficult. It’s no secret that fattening foods are cheaper and easier to find than healthy ones. But unhealthy eating isn’t the only reason that we’re expanding while our checking accounts shrink. Many are struggling to maintain their gym memberships because of the increasingly burdensome fees. Even those who have managed to keep up with their gym payments are finding it difficult to exercise, while many are working longer hours and cannot find the time or energy to get on the treadmill. Stress, and its partner-in-crime, insomnia, are factors adding to the inability to stay fit during this recession.
The good news is that there are ways to avoid the damage to your waistline. The objective of the food pantry at the Boston Medical center is to encourage better nutrition. And they have seen a considerable increase in the amount of patrons their pantry is attracting, from about 400 customers a month last year, to 7,000 per month this year. The Boston Medical Center has also teamed up with the Roxbury YMCA to launch a project to teach nutrition and healthy exercise habits to those at risk for diabetes.
In terms of gym memberships and training fees, training in a group of two or more is usually more affordable, and can be more fun. And if you can’t always afford fresh fruits and vegetables, try to load up on frozen (rather than canned) ones, which maintain most of the nutrients. While the economic downturn can be difficult to stomach, it is a great opportunity to rethink where your money goes at the grocery store.
To read more, visit:
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/07/20/recession_hits_waistlines_too/
