How healthy are you since starting IM...

[Kim Standerline]

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

[JayXtreme]

Thankyou for a VERY timely reminder.... I really needed this today...

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou...

I gotta get off my a** more

Thankyou

Jay

[jhongren]

Hi Kymi,

Great post to wake us up on the importance of exercise.

I do become fitter because of IM, I developed the winner's mindset which include spiritual, mental, and physical discipline.

I am fitter now in the sense I work out 3 times a week and swim once a week.

And because of having allocated time to exercise, I can think better and sometimes, great idea struck while spending time along. =)

My 2 cents,
John

[Aegon]

Well. I'm in better shape than ever and better health, for similar reasons as Jhongren mentioned, more drive and motivation. Luckily. I think this computer radiation has given me super powers! I am...Monitor Man! With my magical USB cable lasso I will make you tell me where the hard-drives are!

[Vince Runza Online]

I was actually fairly unhealthy when I started IM. Although I did slip, diet-wise, earlier in this year, I'm back on track with losing fat.

As for exercise, I'm a little better at getting up from the chair and moving around. Trust me, if you've let yourself go and you're over 50, you don't snap back like when you were younger!

[willdlp]

Thanks Kymi, I have been going through a lot of the same sort of problems so your post comes at a very good time for me.
Will

[Dan Briffa]

I have become alot more healthier since getting into IM and online business opportunites etc

It has led me to learn from some great people, for instance, a few months ago i was watching some video from Eben Pagen (A Great Info Product Marketer) and he was just giving some information about what he does behind his $20 million dollar per year info marketing business, and he mentions what helps him to be successful and for instance he talks about eating a healthy meal in the morning and doing 30 mins of excercise and reading some inspiring books for 30 mins or so in the morning before you get to work also some meditation stuff he goes on all about it - well i adopted some of these ideas and ive seen massive improvement in myself over the last few months.

If you would like to watch some of his videos you can do so here GuruMastermindVideoBlog

[Ross Kenny]

It can be very easy to just sit at your computer all day eating junk and drinking cola or coffee. Carry on like this and you'll soon fall victim.

I go to the gym 4 times a week and don't eat anything with sugar in it.

The odd bit of caffeine is fine as long as it's a sugar free product. Helps with the concentration but you don't get the sugar crash a little later.

Make time to exercise as it will make you feel so much better. It's a proven fact that if you do some excersise during the day you'll be more productive during the working week!!

[Neil Morgan]

Great post Kim.

I try to swim 20-30 lengths (short pool!) every day (Mon to Fri) and I *always* feel revitilized when I get back to the office.

If I go through a spell of NOT doing it, I really notice the difference. I find it to be beneficial both physically *and* mentally in equal measure.

Cheers,

Neil

[Aegon]

Well, I exercise cardiovascularly and aerobically for oh, 15 minutes a day probably. Not much, but I feel good, I appear to be in good shape.

Most of my health is from my diet. Lots of fruit, lots of juice, no unhealthy foods as long as I'm not as risk of starving.

[Dan Briffa]

Yeah that is deffo true ross, it helps get old the metabolizim going. I started going for little jogs in the morning in some fields close to my home, its a lovely run with such a lovely view to! I ofen see many joggers taking this path. But yeah it really helps clear up the mind and really helps get you ready for the day you know.

I get back take a shower slam my ass back on that pc and im tearing my keyboard to bits with the energy i get lol well not quite but you know the score! lol

[BIG Mike]

Luckily for me, I didn't really start working online full-time until after moving to Greece. The food we eat here is so freaking healthy that within my first year my cholestorol dropped from being fairly high to low-normal. I also shed 20 lbs without trying from the food and exercise - here in town we walk everywhere (probably a good 5 miles a day).

When the kids started coming, that was a setback exercise wise - ever try to bundle up 4 little kids to take a half hour/fourty-five minute stroll? LOL. So I bought a commercial grade treadmill and started using that instead - and it's really cool.

A 20 minute session does wonders for clearing your mind and working up a light sweat. In the winter, when we're least active I try to do 5 miles or more a day in between business and the kids.

We're not big soda drinkers here and don't allow the kids a lot of junk food. I rarely eat in front of the computer as I know where that will lead me. Mostly it's coffee, a lot of water throughout the day, and my biggest - beer.

I think that healthwise, IM actually gives us an advantage over normal jobs when it comes to nutrition and exercise. It's all part of the lifestyle baby

[Ross Kenny]

Make sure you treat yourself once in a while.

Look forward to that favourite junk food once a fortnight and eat healthy at all other times.

This way you've got something to look forward to and you cut down the risk of a binge eat.

Remember "Moderation"...!!

[Peter Bestel]

Good point Kymi

Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy business. They all go hand in hand.
When planning a business it really is important to factor in the management
of your health. Give yourself permission to exercise, the benefits will
ultimately positively affect your 'bottom line' (in both meanings of the
phrase!)

It's great to see that a lot of the replies so far have been from Warriors under
30. If you keep up those good habits then you'll really reap the rewards
further down the line. As has been noted, the older you get the harder it is to
regain lost fitness.

Peter

[BarryUK]

Hello Kimi
Very wise words "lets all get fit" I must admit sitting down all day and eating snack food is not the way to go.

I started a better eating plan two weeks ago but must confess that I stray off course to the biscuit jar some days.

This country is getting worse for obesity and I hear on the news that parents who allow there children to become obese run the risk of having their children taken away into care.

Thanks for the reminder of keeping fit, I will take the dog for a walk as soon as I send this reply.
Regards
Barry

[Rachel Zaouche]

I wanna go and live in Greece!!! I fell in love with it years ago after seeing a film on it but Mike you should just go work for the tourist board!

Fantastic post Kym - especially as I just sat down with chocolate toast and a large Tea. Have you heard of RESPeRATE?

Its a breathing device for people with high blood pressure (I have a serious risk of inheriting it so tend to keep up on stuff that comes out)

Note to self - add exercise to the time management layout.

Thanks Kym for taking the time to remind us that we need to look after ourselves as well as our business.

Best wishes

Rach

[Ross Kenny]

Me too!!!

I wanna live in Greece too.... Oh well will have to settle for good old British weather..

[Hamida Harland]

I was incredibly unhealthy before I started IM - I worked as a teacher and lived on sandwiches and coffee. I was highly stressed, never had time for any exercise and suffered from severe insomnia.

Fast forward to today - IM has given me so much more time for myself. First thing every morning (after checking my emails and stats of course) I head off to the gym. I do IM in the middle of the day and I usually do some exercise in the evening as well - even if it's just going for a walk. I also eat really healthily now - I've cut out dairy, wheat and sugar (except for the odd treat) and I'm feeling healthier than ever.

[ExRat]

Hi,

Essential internet marketer resources 101 -

1) A home gym just behind where you work -



2) A beach for jogging and relaxation just outside your door -



Sorted!

[Hardi Wijaya]

Don't forget regular fasting, say 2-day fasting in every 2 weeks. Cholesterol restriction is proven to enhance health.

Edit: Sorry, I meant calorie restriction

Here's a reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction


Hardi

[Aegon]

ExRat did you just run out into the sand and make that? Kool pictures..

[Nick Brighton]

It's no coincidence that some of the most successful business owners online lead healthy lifestyles...mentally AND physically

Mike Geary (sells over 10k of his own books on Clickbank per month)
Mike is a fitness guru and says that he got to where he was from
reading self growth books, and his fitness must play a strong part in
his mental energy too

Eben Pagen, as mentioned already sticks to a similar regime

Frank Kern, he aint outta shape with his surfing and other wild
side sports...

I could go on all day listing successful people and the books they read
and the food they eat. Success is clearly congruent with a healthy
diet and positive mental attitude (which are both mutually exclusive).

My vice is caffeine, it's time to try and kick it to the curb me thinks.

[Kevin Riley]

Actually, my health is great.

Before, I was in a few high-stress positions. In construction, it was always deadlines and me losing big gobs of cash if anything went wrong. After that, I did a stint here as a teacher and had stress because of my drive to be the best.

Now, my blood pressure is very low. I feel great. My body weight is normal (I was actually underweight in construction). So, I'd say IM has been great for my health.

[Suzanne Morrison]

Hi Kim,

Great tips... when I first started being a full time internet marketer I was on a mission as it was just a few months before my wedding so I was at the gym four or five times a week and eating really healthily.

As soon as I got back from the honeymoon I became a bit of a slob. Because I was working from home all the time and not speaking to other people constantly it became more of an effort to walk about as much and the Italian pattisserie was too close for me to avoid temptation.

I am back on track now though... working from home means you can go to the gym during the day when it is nice and quiet, so I am back there, and I am also making the effort to get out and go for a walk every day as well (difficult when you live in rainy Scotland). I'm also doing Yoga in between my work and not putting unhealthy food in the fridge!

Cheers,
Suzanne

[Aegon]

Originally Posted by BlogBrowser

It's true that IM lowers your health unless you really look after it: 8+ hours a day sitting down at your desk, multiple all-nighters in a row getting your product ready before launch day, wrong typing positions, tons of "coffee breaks" throughout the day, etc do take a toll on your health rather fast.

And let's not forget the social life: has anyone else noticed a hit in your social life since started working in IM? probably it's because all my new business "relationships" are made through email/MSN/skype/forums that I have made almost no new acquantices throughout the last year ever since I started full time in IM

One problem I have, is that I have to frequently remind myself to BREATH. I get so distracted by the computer that I stop breathing XD. Probably taking one deep breath every 20 seconds...

[deejones]

Actually, all the health articles I've written have helped me do things like eat healthier. Knowing exactly why certain things are so bad for you, while other things are really good for you, are a great motivators.

[Martin Luxton]

In some ways I am healthier now than before, but that is down to moving from London to Turkey.

The two most important things

1. I eat very few processed foods (almost nothing out of a tin).

2. I eat with the seasons.

In London you are used to all fruit and veg being available all year round. Here, if it is not available at the local market we don't eat it.

If anybody has suffered from allergies, tiredness and generally feeling run down I can really recommend Olive Leaf Extract. The first 6 months of this year were a real write off health-wise. My mum sent me a couple of bottles of Olive Leaf extract and in three weeks I was feeling like a new person.

(Warning: results can vary from person to person. Please seek advice from a doctor before taking any alternative remedies).

Martin

[J Elizabeth Dize]

@ Roger, I'm so jealous! Lucky duck

I've been very lucky that after my baby was born the pounds came back off without any effort on my part. However, I used to be a ballet dancer and I've just started to notice a lack of muscle tone like I used to have...especially with my leg muscles. And my abs, well...they are just not there.

Thanks for writing this Kim, as it is a good reminder for me to get back on the ball and get stronger again. (and to stop eating all the cake from my little boy's first birthday from last week )

[Nutrifitness]

Nice post Kim...Nice to see something related to my profession.

I come here to learn about marketing,etc from all of you so I can return the favor by helping anyone who needs it when it comes to exercise and nutrition.You can always pm me and ask
As I said ,alot of people here have offered help to me when I asked so payback time

Oh and btw, Mike Geary is a fellow fitness professional..just fyi.

Thank you again Kim

[Alan Petersen]

I lost 86 pounds 5 years ago and I've kept off so I make sure to exercise every day. And it doesn't have to be marathon work out. Just some sort of activity for 30 mts. I go to the gym 4-5 time per week. Spend about an hour working out. I like going to the gym because it gets me out of the house and from behind the computer.

I also walk my dogs in the morning and in the afternoon. They're little dogs so 15-30 minutes walk is all they can handle.

I drink a lot of water when I'm on the computer. I also drink diet coke. I don't tend to snack all day while I'm working. And I make sure I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I also make sure not to wait until I'm starving before I eat (at that juncture is when you tend to overeat).

I don't really follow any diet but I do try to eat healthy. That doesn't mean I eat tofu. But if I have fries I'll order a buffalo burger which has less fat. I'm not a calorie counter but I do watch the amount of sugar and fat in the food I eat. The first thing I cut off was fast food. It's garbage. I haven't stepped inside McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. in five years. I didn't give up that food. If I want a taco or burrito I'll go to a place where at least the meat isn't processed tripe like in Taco Bell. So I'll eat at Chipolte for example. Yes a lot of calories but if you burn those calories by exercising you'll be fine. So you don't have to cut out all the food you love.

It's pretty simple really...eat less...exercise more and you will loose weight and feel great. Trust me it's not that hard! I sat on my butt and ate and ate for years without exercising...well of course I got huge! Don't look at it like a diet but a lifestyle change.

Me before....


Me now...

[Martin.Avis]

Kim - you old ratbag!

Here I was, enjoying a peanut butter sandwich, vegging out and seriously considering having an afternoon nap and you've gone and shamed me into feeling that I should go up to the gym for an hour.

That wasn't in my Sunday afternoon gameplan at all!

Mind you - doesn't watching team GB add four more golds to our tally count for at least half an hour of exercise? I can tell you it's certainly cardiovascular.

Damn you woman, I'm going to have to get on the running machine and lament the fact that the 100 meters is safe from me for another year.

Martin

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by Martin.Avis

Kim - you old ratbag!

Here I was, enjoying a peanut butter sandwich, vegging out and seriously considering having an afternoon nap and you've gone and shamed me into feeling that I should go up to the gym for an hour.

That wasn't in my Sunday afternoon gameplan at all!

Mind you - doesn't watching team GB add four more golds to our tally count for at least half an hour of exercise? I can tell you it's certainly cardiovascular.

Damn you woman, I'm going to have to get on the running machine and lament the fact that the 100 meters is safe from me for another year.

Martin

I aim to please lol

I'm going for a nap myself

Kim

[Jean Morgan]

Not quite 50 yet but getting closer...

The thing is I have exactly the same issues going on as you have Kim. For me it was the high stress, high workload, long hours, not eating right teaching job that did for me. Too many 14 hour days at the college and bringing work home. I gave up the job in March and following numerous tests at the doctors and the hospital plus a consultant endocrinologist the sum total is that they don't think there is anything wrong with me at all that a diet, some pills for blood pressure and cholesterol will not sort out.

Well they are wrong, I have been feeling terrible for 2 years now. My own research shows that I have a combination of adrenal fatigue and other hormonal issues going on. It only needs one hormone such as noradrenaline to go out of whack to bring the whole lot cascading down. But, I am now getting better. I eat regular nutritious meals. I no longer drink coffee, tea or cola drinks. I take a cocktail of vitamins every day, several times. I take time out from working to go out or to just watch TV. I no longer need an afternoon nap as I am getting my cortisol levels stabilised.

It needed me to find out the information myself to see what I needed to do. Don't burn out like I did everybody, it takes a long time for the body to heal from that and becomes more difficult the older you become.

[macchiavelli]

I gained 40 pounds since starting with IM.
I just recently started working out again...kickboxing everyday.

Having a online job means sitting behind the computer for hours a day.
I spend about 16 hours a day behind my computer...easily.
But im trying to eat right and do all that healthy stuff.

[WinsonYeung]

WoW !,
Congratulation ! Siting in font of the computer do help lost weight !
hahahaha

Originally Posted by Alan Petersen

I lost 86 pounds 5 years ago and I've kept off so I make sure to exercise every day. And it doesn't have to be marathon work out. Just some sort of activity for 30 mts. I go to the gym 4-5 time per week. Spend about an hour working out. I like going to the gym because it gets me out of the house and from behind the computer.

I also walk my dogs in the morning and in the afternoon. They're little dogs so 15-30 minutes walk is all they can handle.

I drink a lot of water when I'm on the computer. I also drink diet coke. I don't tend to snack all day while I'm working. And I make sure I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I also make sure not to wait until I'm starving before I eat (at that juncture is when you tend to overeat).

I don't really follow any diet but I do try to eat healthy. That doesn't mean I eat tofu. But if I have fries I'll order a buffalo burger which has less fat. I'm not a calorie counter but I do watch the amount of sugar and fat in the food I eat. The first thing I cut off was fast food. It's garbage. I haven't stepped inside McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc. in five years. I didn't give up that food. If I want a taco or burrito I'll go to a place where at least the meat isn't processed tripe like in Taco Bell. So I'll eat at Chipolte for example. Yes a lot of calories but if you burn those calories by exercising you'll be fine. So you don't have to cut out all the food you love.

It's pretty simple really...eat less...exercise more and you will loose weight and feel great. Trust me it's not that hard! I sat on my butt and ate and ate for years without exercising...well of course I got huge! Don't look at it like a diet but a lifestyle change.

Me before....


Me now...

[freedom40]

I'll take health over wealth any day! But it's nice to have both.

Good on you for taking charge of your health.

[Faisal Anwar]

One thing that has worsen is my eye sight..trying to spend less time on the screen

[Frank Bruno]

I'm a health addict and I always make sure to keep my health up by eating healthy,working out and running 6-7 miles every other day.

The sleep part I need to work on sometimes though. I think its inherent of IM though. lol

Frank Bruno

[Frank Bruno]

Wow Winson you look great! I commend you on your weight loss!

Shall we call it the fast food diet? lol

Frank Bruno

[Greg Cooksley]

Hey Kim,

Let me say out the outset that I'm not a medical doctor and that
anything I say here is purely from my own experience. You need
to visit your doctor and get his advice - don't just act on what
I'm sharing with you without proper medical supervision....

Also, this is not meant to frighten anyone but rather to encourage
you to take action, because as human beings we always say - THIS
WON"T HAPPEN TO ME!!!!

I had 2 of the problems that you describe:
- high cholestrol
- glucose intolerance (points short of full-blown diabetes 2)

Now let's talk about the pointers:
- smoking
- obesity
- family history of heart disease
- high cholestrol (familial)
- sedenatry life style
- high blood pressure
- stress (the silent killer)
- poor eating habits
- diabetes (fastest growing disease in the western world)
- depression

Another tell tale sign is obesity. If, when standing upright,
you can't see your toes by glancing down without moving your
head - you are considered to be obese. Especially us guys with
that dangerous roll of fat around the middle.

If you battle with one or more of the above issues YOU ARE AT
RISK, particularly if you live in a population group that is
statiscally prone to higher coronary heart disease probabilities.

You have to get help fast:
- see your mediacl doctor
- check your cholestrol HDL & LDL
- check your homocysteine levels
- check your blood sugars
- test your blood pressure

Act now!!!!

Studies done as late as last year, indicate that children as
young as 5 have found to have cholestrol build up in their arteries!!!!

From a diet perspective thsi isn't a diet per se, it's a LIFESTYLE
change. You have to radically change what you do:

- eat low GI diet
- exercise 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes each time
- stop eating sugar (try xylitol NOT aspartame)
- cut down on salt intake
- stop eating saturated and trans fats
- take aspirin daily (check with your doctor - don't say I didn't
tell you)

Have a look at these sites:
3D Health Animations - Diseases and Conditions - Coronary Bypass Surgery
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (Heart Bypass Surgery, CABG) Information on MedicineNet.com
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Heart bypass surgery - series: Normal anatomy

Again, I'm not a medical doctor so go and see yours if you suspect
that you suffer from any of these problems.

I hope this helps someone....

If you take action you can save your life....(bit melodramatic
but true)

Regards

Greg

[TiffanyDow]

Well as you can see in my sig file, I've become very overweight but healthy as a horse on paper.

Still, I'm on a journey to lose the weight - I have a large dent in my couch where I work. I must remember to get up a move more. With my DNS mobile version I think I might be able to work more on the go.

[Hardi Wijaya]

I feel I should give out the reference again.

Please check this link about calorie restriction.
Calorie restriction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dr. Oz (in the Oprah Show) talked about this topic before. I think he endorses it too.

Anyway, I'm using this method, and it works perfectly for me.


Hardi

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by TiffanyDow

Well as you can see in my sig file, I've become very overweight but healthy as a horse on paper.

Still, I'm on a journey to lose the weight - I have a large dent in my couch where I work. I must remember to get up a move more. With my DNS mobile version I think I might be able to work more on the go.

Tiff

I've been thinkinof doing exactly the same thing, an online blog to chart my success etc as I get a more healthy lifestyle

You just kickstarted me.

Kymi

[Jose Delgado]

(and to stop eating all the cake from my little boy's first birthday from last week )

Lol! Yeah, that would probably be a good Idea. I know I would finish that cake!

PS: Congratulations on your boy's first birthday and happy birthday to him.

[Alan Petersen]

The only thing about those weight loss blogs is that it puts more pressure on the process since you might feel you're letting your readers down. Keeping a weight loss journal is fine. I did when I lost my 80+ pounds but I didn't make it public. It was for me.

Please don't get me wrong. If it works for you fantastic. But it just my might more pressure you don't need to deal with as you're making the lifestyle change.

[andrewtkenyon]

Great post Kim.

Success definitely does not come in just wealth for me. Being truly successful consists of being strong in areas such as wealth, health, spirit, and mindset. With that being said I have become even more fit than before after starting IM. I mean once success starts coming in from one angle it motivates you to complete the puzzle. I work out at the gym 3 times a week and 30-1hr of cardio everyday. I find working out refreshing and fun and makes you feel great after..

Do have to start watching what I eat though.....

[Hardi Wijaya]

I think the 'pressure' in weight loss program is unnatural. People will get the yo-yo effects. They could gain back everything they lose, and even more.

Btw, don't assume that exercise can definitely cut down the weight. It's not totally true. We still need exercise, but not much. Anyway, I'm a believer of Dr. Oz's latest book.


Hardi

[Kim Standerline]

Originally Posted by Alan Petersen

The only thing about those weight loss blogs is that it puts more pressure on the process since you might feel you're letting your readers down. Keeping a weight loss journal is fine. I did when I lost my 80+ pounds but I didn't make it public. It was for me.

Please don't get me wrong. If it works for you fantastic. But it just my might more pressure you don't need to deal with as you're making the lifestyle change.

Yeah it would just be for me lol

[Simon_Sezs]

My mentor(not IM mentor but life mentor) once told me that maintaining an equal balance was very important in general happiness. I believe his ratio was 30% family, 30% work, and finally, 30% YOU time.

Now I know that most internet marketers can't come close to balancing this like the way he described to me but I can affirm from an overall "health and well being" perspective, he is dead on.

And once I had the "I got it" moment, I was able to fit back in my daily weight training and my life with my wife greatly improved. And oddly enough, my online business picked up as well although I had to learn some serious time management in the process.

[Rod Cortez]

Excellent post Kim! There was a time when I used to sit in front of my computer for 5, 8, sometimes 12 hours straight and only getting up to go to the bathroom, eat, or answer the phone. I also used to drink copius amounts of coffee, Full Throttle, and Low-Carb Monster (man I was addicted to that stuff).....but a few months ago I developed some serious chest pain, dizziness, and had a rapid heart beat. Off I went to the emergency room.

After the EKG, blood work, a stress test, a Cat Scan (I was having headaches too), the results were inconclusive. Three emergency room doctors, 2 Cardiologists, and 1 GI Specialtist later, I found out that my heart, liver, and kidneys were in "spectacular" health, which is what one doctor told me. But my esophagus would spasm and I had "severe" acid reflux.

So I eliminated anything with caffeine, alcohol, ate more veggies, brown rice, non-fat yogurt......I changed my whole diet (thanx partially to Kevin Riley too). For breakfast I usually have oatmeal or grits (not fried) with a banana, an apple, or strawberries with a touch of organic honey.

Today I eat better, I exercise a lot, and I take frequent breaks through out my day. I take more vacations and spend more time with friends and family. I know Chris Sutton will be shocked, but I'm keeping it to dating one woman at a time now.....lol.

In all seriousness, your post really struck a chord with me, because looking back I was burning the candle light at both ends, didn't eat all that great, didn't exercise enough, and it certainly had taken it's toll. And now I sleep better and feel like a million bucks! I find that though I work less now, I'm getting more done.

So maybe there is something to eating better and getting your 30 minutes of exercise 3 to 4 times a week.

Rod "My-coffee-mug-has-been-retired!" Cortez