Archive for November 20th, 2007
The beat to death mantra of needing to get out and exercise 30 minutes at least 5 days a week to prevent our demise due to sedentary life styles is accurate, but without much effort we can do a lot more. Consider this in our battle with obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
Think small now. Instead of sitting at your desk while on the phone, consider standing. Doesn’t sound like much, but compared to sitting, standing up and stretching during a phone call is major. Use stairs once in a while. For you folks working on the 72nd floor, get out 5 floors early and walk up and back down. Stand instead of sit at your child’s ballgame. Get into that game and pace a bit.
These aren’t big things and they don’t take any time you won’t be using anyway. They aren’t a replacement for the 30 minutes, but a few extra calories burned here and there have been proven to make a difference.
Studies show that the enzymes that are responsible for fat burning are “turned off” after a period of inactivity. These enzymes can be turned back on with just minor activity. Just the act of standing and holding the body upright takes twice as much energy as sitting upright.
I know I spend an inordinate amount of time at my desk, and that just getting up to go to the fax or printer feels good. I do my mandatory run at lunchtime (my 30 minute duty), but I can see where some of these suggestions will be beneficial.
Bottom line. The more we can do to fight off sedentarianism, the healthier we’ll be and the better chance we have of nailing down low life insurance rates.
November 20th, 2007
Bait and switch! The practice of sucking someone into the sales process by offering something attractive with the full knowledge that you (the salesperson) can’t come through with that offer in the end.
Bait and switch is a favorite topic of those who whine about life insurance and life insurance agents. So, why does it work? Why do people jump at prices that deep down they know they don’t qualify for, and then get mad when they don’t get those rates?
Cutting right to the chase on this, it’s because people don’t want to hear the truth. Given the choice of two agents, one who quotes a standard rate because you’re obese and that is what you qualify for, and one who quotes you rates that Superman would die for inspite of the fact that he and you know you don’t qualify, you won’t even return the call to the one who quoted it accurately.
Common sense goes out the window and somehow people believe that the agent that is being honest is really out to burn you. This scenario is plays out most often with two groups, those who smoke and those who are overweight. They inquire about life insurance and, when sent the rates they inquired about, they refuse to return calls. It’s like life insurance is really important to them, as long as they can get it cheap.
It often makes me wonder if these guys ever discuss this with their wives. “Well honey, I really wanted to make sure your future was secure, and I was ready to get the job done at $40 a month, but darlin, it’s going to be $80 a month because I’m fat, and frankly your future just isn’t worth that much. Well, yah, I could have cut down the amount of insurance to make it affordable, but if I can’t give you the whole thing, I just don’t want you to have anything.” Allrighty then!
Or they go with the agent that quotes them rates they can’t get, and when that doesn’t come through they just drop the whole thing. Another way to stay uninsured.
Bottom line. Get real. If life insurance was the same price for everyone, no matter what their health, it would have to be very expensive for everyone. Life insurance rewards good health and habits. Don’t BS yourself into believing that if you go with a low quote and just stay real quiet, you’ll actually get those rates approved. If someone quotes you low rates and someone quotes you higher rates, find out why the agent quoted higher rates. Consider it. It may be reality even if it’s not what you wanted to hear.
November 20th, 2007
Not too long ago while writing on the obesity problem in America I ran across a state by state breakdown that showed my home state, Colorado, as being one of the 4 leanest states in the country. I wasn’t too surprised, as we are kind of an exercising, outdoorsy bunch.
Then last night I heard on our local ABC channel that a study showed that Denver was the heaviest drinking city in America as measured by the instance of cirrhosis of the liver. Two other Colorado cities were in the top ten.
This was also not a big surprise to me. I’ve lived my whole life in the Rocky Mountains and drinking, and especially drinking beer, has always had an acceptance here that borders on silly. I can remember growing up in Wyoming and being shocked when law enforcement started cracking down on drinking and driving. DUI was generally accepted and, I can remember times that, even if you were pulled over for not being able to keep it in your own lane, you were either told to be more careful or at worst given a ride home.
While DUI is taken far more seriously than when I was young, the Rockies are obviously still a hard drinking region of the country. Looks like we have more work to do to keep that healthy lifestyle image intact.
Bottom line. Lifestyle choices are an important issue in life insurance. Having your weight down and your liver functions out of whack due to excessive drinking is not the balance that life insurance underwriters are looking for.
November 20th, 2007
