There are many who believe when times are tough that cutting back is the best plan of action to ensure your well being. There is much to be said about that philosophy. And in many areas it is the wisest choice.

However, there are areas where I completely disagree with cutting back. For example, many school systems have had to address fiscal challenges. And unfortunately, the arts and physical education are the hardest hit areas. I cannot say what the long term effect of cutting art programs will be on the youth of America. I hope it does not curb the creativity of the next generation, but we will see.

However, I can tell you that cutting physical education has and will continue to harm not only our youth, but our economy as well. In the future, our health care system will crumble (not that it isn’t already awful) because of the needs of obese children becoming obese adults. We will spend billions on very avoidable health issues.

All because we didn’t get our children active.

So now that I have given a powerful example of why cutting back has failed in the past, let me address the concern of people who choose to “cut back” by spending less on personal training or eliminating a gym membership all together.

Why do people choose to join a gym or hire a personal trainer?

The medical benefits it gives you are:

- Reduced cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Lower triglycerides
- Stronger immune system

It can also improve your quality of life in the following ways:

- You have the energy you need to get things done.
- You physically feel better.
- You increase lean muscle mass.
- You lose body fat, which makes you look better.
- You gain more confidence.
- You sleep better.
- There is also a social and motivating quality of being a member at a gym.

You get the idea, right?

When people join a gym it is either because they cannot motivate themselves to do it on their own or they don’t have the knowledge to do it on their own.

Either way, most people cannot successfully workout on their own for one reason or another.

Assuming you don’t quit exercising all together, now let’s look at the pitfalls of “Cutting Back”.

- You have no supervision.
- Unless you spend money you don’t have access to weights, machines or other fitness tools.
- If you are inclined to work out at home, your purchases will set you back more than a membership.
- Without a trainer you lose guidance, which can make things dangerous.
- If you are not self-motivated you will skip workouts.
- You are not increasing lean muscle mass.
- You are not lowering your body fat.
- Your energy stinks.
- You become moody, which can cause disagreements.
- Now you are a less than stellar co-worker, parent, spouse, etc.
- You start to feel terrible and need to sleep more, but your sleep is not restful.

Get the idea? Cutting back on fitness is an awful idea.

Imagine if you decide to fall off the fitness wagon. You gain weight, feel terrible and in a short time you can really fall apart. Heaven forbid something happens and you need to go to a doctor. Do you think that saving money by letting go of your trainer or your gym membership is going to be cheaper than doctor’s bills?

It is not all gloom and doom. Just don’t cinch on your health.

So how do you recession-proof your body and your life? I don’t claim to be a financial expert. So I am not going to tell you how to financially make your investments work for you or how to redo your stock portfolio.

Here are a few tips to get you started that will affect the choices you make in your everyday life.

Eat out less. Not only does this save you money, you will eat healthier as well. You can make the food you enjoy for much less than it will cost you in a restaurant. Brown bagging lunch keeps the fast food at bay and money in your pocket. A nice dinner at home not only will enable you to try a variety of foods, but it could be more romantic and spice up your love life. (Insert your own exercise joke here if you wish. I am leaving it alone)

Save gas and walk to the store. On days when you only need a few things, get some exercise by walking to the store. This will save you tons on gas money and you are helping yourself in the process.

Rent a movie or better yet, go do an art walk. Going to the movies is killer on the bottom line. You spend $25 for tickets and if you completely ignore me another $25 on popcorn, soda, and candy. Let’s assume you don’t ignore me. You can easily save $20 by renting. Want to save all of it. Every city has at least a couple of places that sell art. Usually they have what are called art walks. Often the galleries entice people to come down by having musicians and free wine tastings. Now that’s a fun night.

Coffee anyone? Seriously! Do you really need a $5 double, mocha, 3 shot espresso, non-fat frappuccino latte? Can you tell I don’t drink coffee? If you drink that every day it is $35 a week. If you have coffee twice a day, that is $70 a week and $280 a month. Heck, spend a little on a coffee grinder and make your own. It has to be a ton cheaper.

Like a nice glass of wine every now and then? If you go to a bar for happy hour or have a couple of drinks at dinner, I guarantee you are spending way too much on alcohol. How many of you have paid $7-$8 for a glass of wine or a beer? As a former bartender, I know that I normally have to only sell 2-3 drinks to pay for the whole bottle. Instead have people over and have everyone bring a bottle of pinot or chardonnay. You won’t drink as much (saves calories) and you will spend a ton less than at a bar.

I know there are tons of more ideas. But I am pretty sure that I have just saved you $300 -$400 a month and we haven’t talked about, lowering the air conditioner temperature, caulking windows, going green or any of the other major ways to reduce spending.

Everything I mentioned will directly increase your health and reduces spending at the same time.

So think twice before quitting on the gym and keep these things in mind:

- Working out in a social environment is motivating.
- Having equipment is not only more efficient, but adds variety.
- Using some of your paycheck on a personal trainer saves time, headaches, and energy.

Being in a recession really takes its toll on a person. Shouldn’t you do your best to control the things you can control at times like these?

Your health is one of the things you can control.