Why it pays to be healthy

Hannele Steyn, nutritionist and former World Triathlon Champion and previous winner of the women’s category in the Absa Cape Epic MTB race, says an unhealthy lifestyle can end up costing you a lot more than you may realise.

Maintaining your health need not be overly expensive

An unhealthy lifestyle can end up costing you a lot more than you may realise, warns former World Triathlon Champion and a previous winner of the women’s category of the Absa Cape Epic MTB race, Hannele Steyn.

Fit, strong and full of vigour at 52, Steyn explains a healthy lifestyle and physical activity have served her well over the years and argues that it does not have to cost a fortune to remain in peak condition. “It is often the case that when you neglect your physical wellbeing, your cost of living and medical care becomes more expensive,” she explains.

“In my personal experience, I have found that by looking after my body through better food choices, physical activity and taking advantage of preventative care benefits offered through my medical scheme and rewards programme Zurreal Platinum, I have saved a lot of money compared with the costs associated with a less healthy lifestyle.”

Steyn, a former professional athlete who is also a nutritionist, explains that sport has been a part of her life from a young age. “I was born with a congenital heart defect. However, as soon as I was well enough, all I wanted to do was run, swim and ride a bicycle. Today I cannot imagine a life without physical activity. I certainly feel worse when I don’t exercise,” Steyn says.

Drawing from her personal experience, Steyn elaborates on how an active lifestyle has considerably reduced her expenditure on healthcare.

“I am a firm believer in physical wellbeing, which has enabled me to recover more quickly from injuries and helps to keep my immune system strong. I cannot remember when last I had a common cold. Healthy lifestyle choices have definitely contributed to this. I move as much as I can and refuse to live a sedentary lifestyle,” she says. Preventative health is the answer and my medical aid scheme assists me to go for the required, yearly health check-ups, as well as joining a gym and getting rewards for it at the same time.

According to Steyn, anyone can participate and learn to love being active. “It does not matter what life stage you are at, or how well you are currently doing, you will reap rewards once you make the decision to engage in an active lifestyle.

“To start an exercise regime requires commitment and some sacrifices, but I can assure you the benefits you will gain will far outweigh the effort you put in. You just need to find something that you enjoy doing and stick to it.”

Participating in sport need not necessarily be an expensive exercise. “Yes, professional sports equipment and proper gear can be expensive, but pottering around in the garden, walking your dogs and even swimming can become your healthy activity of choice. Join your local gym, go regularly and earn loyalty points, which pays you in cash if you are a Zurreal member

“Running and cycling are two firm favourites, you will no doubt be able to find groups in your area to join. The racing seasons are actually now all year round and with Zurreal Platinum you can get up to R2 000 back per year, by taking part in selected outdoor sporting events,” says Steyn who is also the brand ambassador for Spectramed Medical Scheme and Zurreal, a holistic wellbeing and rewards programme that offers tangible rewards from day one.

“Again, a gym membership is a great idea, particularly if you would prefer to exercise in a secure and safe spot. With my Zurreal Platinum membership, my gym membership fees are refunded to me in full through the fitness benefit. This makes going to the gym highly cost-effective and an efficient way to save money directly, while also investing in my long-term health,” Steyn explains.

The adoption of a healthier lifestyle will also necessitate a change in your eating habits and the food choices you make.

“Although it might seem that processed, ready-made meals are cheaper than ‘health-marketed foods’, there are plenty of healthy options that are inexpensive. Fresh fruit and vegetables should be more affordable if you choose wisely and select fresh produce according to seasonality. Fresh dairy products, unprocessed carbohydrates and lean meats are also not necessarily more expensive than unhealthier food options. In the long run, you will be saving a lot more by erasing takeaways and unnecessary restaurant outings from your budget,” Steyn elaborates. Believe me, all the illnesses that can catch up with you by an unhealthy diet, will end up costing so much more.

“Instead of opting for yo-yo diets or even fad diets choose to live a healthier life, and that includes exercising greater control over what you put into your body. Eliminating processed, fried and high-fat and high-sugar foods from your diet. It will lower your risks of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and even some types of cancer, and may also assist in reducing medical expenditure in the long-term.”

“I love clichés because they are true,” says Steyn. “One of those is ‘prevention is better than cure.’ If you take care of your body, protect it against the harmful effects of the sun and the health risks associated with bad lifestyle habits, incorporate physical activity into your life and make that decision to visit your doctor, clinic and dentist for those annual check-ups, you are investing in a better future for yourself. This is where having a good medical scheme on your side plays an important part. My Spectramed cover offers me preventative screening tests every year so I can keep an eye on my health at all times.”

“In addition, with health check rewards from Zurreal, I earn further cash-backs for taking care of my health and going for those routine check-ups. Saving and earning money for looking after my health holds tremendous appeal for me. A proactive approach to wellbeing is an investment in yourself. You cannot buy back your health once you have lost it. I am fitter, stronger and healthier than ever before, and it all comes down to believing that my healthy lifestyle is not expensive in the long run” Steyn concludes.