Florida is ranked second in costs associated with diabetes at $18.9 billion. According to the Centers for Disease Control, losing at least 10% of our weight can save thousands of dollars annually in increased medical costs. We can reduce our lifetime medical costs by $2,200 to $5,300 by preventing or delaying the onset of diseases.

One fun and engaging way to reduce the risk of illness and prevent increased medical expenses is to develop an action plan for your health. Buying and cooking nutritious foods is not only more healthy for you but can also be less expensive than choosing convenience foods or going out to eat. Similarly, going for a walk or run can be just as beneficial as expensive gym memberships for just the cost of your shoes, and these activities can be done solo or with a partner/group, offering either meditative or social benefits. In addition, spending time in nature can help reduce stress, providing yet another healthy side effect.

So lace up and hit that pavement…both your health and your finances will thank you!! For information on our upcoming Milk Run 5K, log on to www.milkrun.org.

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