I’m a self-diagnosed workaholic.
I love work. LOVE it. Working hard is something I’m used to an a soft skill I’ve mastered.
BUT I’ve also mastered using work as an excuse…
- A reason not to eat healthily (because “I don’t have time”)
- A reason not to work out or go for a walk
- A reason to avoid conflict rather than dealing with it head on
- A reason to put myself last, until I, in a burning fire of martyrdom, get sick.
Maybe you can relate. I found myself in this boat until right after my 31st birthday, when I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
It’s something I should have seen coming — it runs in my family and my habits supported the weakened state I was creating for my body.
I had two doctors. The first, was a doctor who told me I could beat this and get out of the diabetic range for good. She told me she knew I could do it. She gave me tips and supported the lifestyle change I researched and believed was best for me.
My second doctor told me that instead of my lifestyle change, my goal should be to get on medicine, stay on it, and not be blind or amputated in ten years.
Those were his words. I could hardly believe it. And that was the day I decided I was going to make my health a priority.
Even if it meant working fewer hours so that I could work out, eat in a way that supported my health instead of damaged it, and even take time to improve my mental state.
It was scary. I wasn’t sure if I could do it and because I had wrapped up my identity and worth in my how many hours I worked.
For a busy entrepreneur, you might be wondering “So how do you make your health a priority… and how can I do it so I don’t have the same diagnosis??”
Here are the deets that helped me start feeling better, reducing my blood sugar spikes, take better care of myself, and as a result, lose nearly 40 lbs.
- I drink water. Alllll the time. When I wake up, I drink around 8 ounces. Whenever I’m thirsty and every hour I have an alarm to remind me to drink water. It’s nothing mind-blowing but just staying hydrated helps me maintain a stable blood sugar and is one way I take care of myself.
- I have three hard workouts a week – these are set up in my planner as non-negotiable meeting times. I don’t miss these unless I’m out of town, and if I’m out of town, I find the space to do my own workouts.
- I walk daily. Even when I don’t feel like it. It helps me ensure I’m not working 14+ hour days and gives me a chance to refresh my mind. I’ve come back with more good ideas than I can count. Taking a ten minute walk not only helps me feel better physically, it also rejuvenates me mentally.
- I have set times that I work on the weekends and don’t go over those times.
- I have lighter workouts during the week (like Zumba!) that are also set in my planner as non-negotiable meetings.
- I worked through the issues and mindset hangups I was having around work and redefined my worth to not come from work or any external factor.
- I started seeing my health as a top priority. If I don’t take care of myself, nothing can progress. If I don’t take care of myself, I don’t exist. It is vital that I take care of myself so I can help others.
Our take
If you want to have a successful business, it’s vital that you take care of yourself. While my strategies might seem simple, they’re the foundational blocks to my health. Key word there is my. The foundational blocks to your health might be something different. Always consult a doctor when creating your plan and if you encounter a doctor who tells you just to focus on not being blind or amputated (*insert eyeroll here*) know that there are plenty more doctors you can choose from. Find someone who supports you having a long, healthy, happy life.
Your turn
How can you start taking care of yourself today? Comment below and let me know!
