How healthy are you since starting IM...

What do you eat and drink when sat behind your computer for hours on end, how much exercise do you take?

Varient on this question was asked in a previous thread, but rather than hijack it, I thought I'd ask it again but with a different slant...

As a nurse, I have atrocious eating habits anyway, so spending the last five years sat on my ass for hours at a time eating sandwiches and snacks and sleeping four hours a night etc has not been conducive to good health.

I've found my weight soar, and I've developed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma and diabetes. (those bad eating habits over the years obviously played their part as well).

I'm 50 years old, 50 is supposed to be the new 40 and I should be in the prime of my life. Instead I'm taking a fistful of pills every day and frantically trying to get my life back. (This girlie got a wakeup call with a vengeance).

So how did I get to this point, how did I get from someone who owned their own horses, and had the obvious amount of exercise it takes to look after them, to someone who closely resembles their mother in 3 short years. (I've been ill for 2 of those 5 years).

It's simple and I've already outlined above what caused the problem. I went from being relatively fit and well to a wreck within 3 years simply because I didn't look after my health. My business was booming, but I sure wasn't!

So how can you avoid being where I am today, and I'll warn you, if you recognise the pattern, you'll get there eventually, (maybe just not as quick as me).

For a start, check your diet

Throw away the fizzy drinks (even the low calorie ones). They contain citric acid and it interferes with weight loss if you're trying to lose. Sip at a bottle of water instead whilst your sat at your computer.

Cut the caffeine down as low as you can.

Eat plenty of salads, veg and fruit, snack on fruit and veg instead of crisps, etc.

Watch your salt intake

Don't eat too much processed food

Make sure you get at least (and this is at least), half an hours exercise every day. It will not only help keep the pounds off, it will also revitalise your mind.

Take it from someone who has been there. I'm now frantically trying to combat the effects of neglecting my health over the last few years whilst I was building my IM business.

I'm getting there, but it's a slow process, I watch my diet now, I've cut down on the junk and I've joined the gym,

I can definately see improvements. My daughter has turned into Attilla the hun, she checks my fridge every day to see if I'm cheating. She also joined the gym with me to give me an incentive to go on a regular basis.

As I said, I'm getting there, I've lost some weight, the wheezing has stopped and my blood sugars have stabilised. I'm also sleeping more.

Believe it or not, I've also started watching more TV.

I rarely watch TV, my reasoning is, it's time I can spend on my business. I've come to realise it's fine to watch my favourite shows and now I don't feel guilty if I turn it on. (I do pre-record them tho so I can miss the adverts lol)

Best of all, I'm finding I'm more focussed on my IM business, I'm not so tired all the time, my brain is much sharper.

Getting to the stage (as I did), when your doctor tells you that you're at as much risk as someone who has had a major heart attack and stroke is dammed sobering.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, no point in having lots of money if you're too dead to spend it

I'm now going to get ready to go to the gym

Kymi