I have a confession to make. I am a leader, and I’m out of shape.
Like ridiculously out of shape. So much so that I’m pretty sure I have a pinched nerve in my lower back. Maybe it’s from two plus years of sitting for much too long and not moving enough. Some call it the grind (more like I ground to a halt). And in the process I’ve gained a smooth 40 lbs. Yikes! (I said it was a confession).
Like many curvier women, I can hide it. As a matter of fact, I did such a good job hiding it that I even hid it from myself. But I realized when I stopped looking in the mirror AND when I had to take my time to get out of bed or chairs (because everything hurt) that something had to give. If I wasn’t limping around when I had major knee surgery a few years ago; I’m not about to limp around now — okay? I’m too pretty for the limp!
Let me ask you this: Has that happened to you?
Have let something slip for so long that you looked up and realized it had gotten far far away from you? Did it get so far away that you didn’t know how you were going to get back so you just…didn’t go back?
That was me for quite a while.
But y’all – I am a fixer. And a focus coach. So I had all these ideas about how to “fix this” but I quickly realized I didn’t need fixing I needed an attitude adjustment. THAT IS FOCUS. So I created a simple plan (think tortoise not hare) that will move be forward to the body and overall health I deserve. That my kiddo deserves. That my business deserves.
It felt good to get back to something I really love — Pilates. Yes, Black women do practice Pilates and it is THE truth. I’m not big on group exercise classes but I love Pilates so much. So when I walked in the studio for the first time recently in 2 years (yep…it’s been that long) it felt like a homecoming. I’ve got a ways to go but I know the drill (and it’s true). 10 sessions to feel better. 20 sessions to look better. 30 sessions to be a whole new you.
SN: I will most definitely be following a nutritional plan that will help me feel good and be satisfied when I eat. Pilates is great but it’s not magic.
How does this help you as a leader?
It occurred to me that you might be stuck thinking about what you need to do to make your health your business. I mean, as women and as leaders we are expected to be in the front. We are expected to set an example. To inspire our people. But maybe you feel like a fraud. But I’d bet it’s not that you’re fake — it might be because you are uninspired.
Here are a 3 things that will help you snatch back some inspiration and get on the road to making your health your business:
Starting over may make your heart race and knees knock but it’s also an opportunity to give yourself a real chance at happiness in this moment of your life. Leaders who find their way to happiness inspire their tribe (at work and at home) to pursue happiness too. It doesn’t mean you won’t be anxious but you will feel more confident telling anxiety to beat it!
You are making a choice to start over because your right now isn’t being held hostage by your past if you don’t let it (that’s a whole word so write that down). You can find ways to improve your life and the lives of those around you. You’ve got to start with you (fill your cup up to the brim) and say out loud “I am worth it”.
Baby Steps. Tortoise > Hare. Slow but Steady. It’s OK to do it moderately as long as you don’t fool yourself into thinking things will happen on their own. If you’re used to Kool – Aid results; you’ll be disappointed because you can’t mix and stir your health. It’s not instant. If the gym isn’t your jam, find your own kinda jelly. Yoga, Dance lessons, Spin, or Pilates like me (I even saw Goat Yoga on TV the other day so if you’re in San Diego check it out).