Our culture likes to promote the idea that “health is the greatest wealth” with all kinds of folksy sayings like, “If you have your health, then you have everything.”

But do we really mean it?

Do YOU value your own health? Really?

Most people don’t, as we know from countless surveys proving that we, as a society, eat way too much and don’t exercise near enough to back up our supposed value of “health.”

Why? One of the most common excuses is “I can’t afford it.”

But let’s get real. Many of the same people drop $5 a day at Starbucks and spend $100 a month on TV subscriptions. That’s before Friday Happy Hour rolls around!

Meanwhile, the if we truly valued health as we all say, that would be one of our top investments – in time, money, energy, and commitment.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t “spend” our money, time and focus on enjoyable activities. I definitely will splurge on a nice cappuccino and enjoy my time with my stories after a hard day.

For anyone who wants to join a studio, gym or other fitness center, or online coaching program that’s one of the BEST ways to ensure your short- and long-term health.

And if you think of it as investing in yourself, then you can see how fitness pays huge dividends in all kinds of ways, including financial. Exercise reduces our health-care costs, including medications, and the time lost to illness and injury.

Saying “I can’t afford it” about health is just stating that it’s not important to you.

But trust me, someday it will be.

So, start now. Think of it as an investment. The best investment you can make.