For years now, as long as people have been asking my opinion on what to do to get into shape, I have always cautioned them on spending too much money just to get started. I’m sure you know of someone — or perhaps you’ve done it yourself — who had spent a bunch of money buying a piece of exercise equipment, or a series of DVDs or maybe even a gym membership. They start out strong, getting their “money’s worth” but soon that passion fades and they’re just left with a treadmill in their living room serving as a coat rack.

Just because you bought a shiny new toy doesn’t mean you are automatically going to stick to a fitness routine. Trying to jump start a healthy lifestyle doesn’t cost a dime.

Although I’m sure there are countless examples of people succeeding while not breaking the bank, I want to tell you about two who I see almost every day.

For seven months now, when I have been out for an early morning run, I have seen this gentleman running as well. At first I thought, whoever he is, this “running thing” probably won’t last. Boy was I wrong. Because almost every day I was out, so was he. The reason I thought that this might just be a passing phase for him, was because of the way he was dressed. Every time I saw him, whether it was 30 degrees or 70 degrees, he wore the same thing. A long pair of pants, a long-sleeved button down collard dress shirt and a baseball cap. But regardless, there he was, running a steady and strong pace each and every morning. I don’t even know how far he runs, but judging by the different parts of town I see him, he’s running a minimum of six miles. I also don’t know if he does anything else for exercise, but I do know that he didn’t go out and spend a bunch of money to get into shape. He just grabbed some clothes and went for a run.

The other example is a gentleman who I have seen run — I should say sprint — past my house for years. Again, no matter the time of year or what the temperatures outside may be, there he is running, and running hard. Just the other day, we happened to cross paths and I jumped on the opportunity to introduce myself. Now I’m not going to mention his name, but I will tell you that he is 55 years old and in incredible shape. He told me he runs four to five days a week and runs anywhere between three and five miles at different speeds. But even his “slow” pace is fast compared with most runners. The only other exercise he does is use one of those “ab rollers” you see advertised on TV. If you Google it you’ll see it’s basically just a wheel with two handles that you hold as you roll out and back while on your knees. One of those rollers is like $8 brand new, or you can find them littering garage sales for a buck or less.

So what do these two gentlemen prove? Well in my humble opinion, what they represent is that you need to be rich in determination instead of money. You need to have a new sense of self-worth instead of a new elliptical machine. You need to be concerned more about how to accomplish your goals then how you look at the gym. Be more mindful of what you are doing and not what you are wearing. All you truly need is a desire, a pair of shoes and an open road.

If you are one of those people who buy all the “stuff” but don’t use it, give me a call. I’m in the market for some previously owned, barely-used exercise equipment.

Mike DeCinti is the marketing director for Lumberton Radiological Associates. He can be reached at mdecinti@lraxray.com or by calling 738-8222, Ext. 258.