Early morning appointments can interrupt a daily routine. When you spill coffee down the front of your shirt and have to do a wardrobe change, it merely adds to the pressure of hitting the appointment on time.
Having fallen prey to this problem, I hopped into my car and almost flew to the San Diego freeway. 8:15 a.m. was right around the corner (Yes, I love to push the speed limit beyond the boundaries).
Fast forward several hours and I am back on the freeway heading home. It is hot and as I reach over to flip the air conditioner on, I see that the gas gauge is totally empty. The yellow light is blinking, there are zero bars left on the meter. This could be major trouble.
Panic time! I can visualize being stranded on the side of 163 North, with traffic whizzing by at 75 MPH. There’s ten, maybe twelve miles to go before a gas station is handy. It is time to drive in the slow lane, without the air conditioner and keep my fingers , toes and legs crossed in hopes of making those last few miles.
That stretch of road lasts for an eternity. It is time to refocus on reaching-the-gas-station goal.
How often do we pay more attention to our cars than our own body? We change the oil regularly, rotate the tires, take them in for scheduled checkups and fill the gas tanks (unless we have a senior moment where we fail to LOOK at the gauge).
Juxtapose that with how we treat our bodies. How often do you:
• Sit at your computer for hour after hour without stretching?
• Just grab something from the refrigerator and fail to eat a balanced diet?
• Hit the 9:00 p.m. part of the day without your daily workout, thinking manana?
• Put off drinking the recommended amount of water for your body type?
• Have a 10:00 p.m. waffle or toast oozing with butter and peanut butter?
• Delay that dental appointment because you are too busy?
Sorry to admit it, but I’m guilty of ALL of the above infractions.
How many of us take better care of our cars or pets than we take care of ourselves?
Prior to 2005 I took health for granted. I broke most (if not all) of the rules for healthy living. July 9, 2005 was a pivotal moment where I was told that I had primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Suffice it to say that I no longer consider health a “given”. It is a sacred treasure! Cars can be replaced. It is much more difficult to rebuild your body.
If my example can help one other person reform their health habits before it is too late, then this experience has been worth it.
Stop before you blithely continue to ignore your most important asset—YOU!
To Your Vibrant Health,
Dar
August 1st, 2010 at 3:59 am
You are amazing Darlene…I congratulate you on the action you have taken to make the most of your health and take care of yourself.
Several years ago my health was on a steady decline. I had gained weight and was suffering a number of non-descript ailments and allergies, but above all, I was indescribably tired all the time. Doctors couldn’t help, so I took matters into my own hands and, with the help of a naturopath, changed my diet dramatically. Fast forward 2 years and I now have more energy than I had 15 years ago, my health is great and I feel like I have been given a new lease of life.
I truly believe a number of so called modern day diseases could be prevented and even cured with simple adjustments to diet. So thank you for spreading your message…it is so important for the future of our health.
Louise
Louise Steiner´s last blog ..3 Simple Steps To Create A Facebook Ad
August 1st, 2010 at 8:06 am
Louise,
I’d love to hear more of your story. How did you change your diet? Did your allergies disappear also? We must talk soon, k?
August 1st, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Hi Darlene,
Thanks for your article and video on Running on Empty. I think we all can relate to ignoring our cars and our bodies until something goes wrong with them. I have heard some people say when something goes wrong with your car it usually means something is going wrong with your body or in your life. So there is a spiritual connection to the two. Running on empty could also mean we are not giving our bodies the fuel we need to keep us from running out of energy, just like our cars.
I had been recently putting off taking my 2007 Toyota Camry in for the recent recall issues. Eventually my “Maintenance Required” light came on to remind me my service call was due on my car. This could also mean we need to have some health maintenance checked in our life too. I took the car in for the six month service check and asked to have the recall issues corrected as well. Luckily they were able to complete all of the issues in one day. When they called to say the car was ready they also mentioned that my tires need to be replaced soon as the tread is wearing away. This could mean we need to get a checkup soon maybe to see what is wearing away in our bodies or lives and correct it before we cause harm to ourselves or others. They also said I need to get new brakes in about six months. They said they are ok for now, but they are starting to wear away. This could mean to use the brakes more carefully in some areas of your life, like overeating, overspending or whatever other overindulgences apply to your life.
I have also heard that other car issues like needing a new thermostat as your car is overheating, may mean you have issues in your life that is causing you to overheat with emotions or health issues etc. A need for a new starter in your car may mean you need a new start in your life or help with health issues to give you more energy to start you each day. The list could go on and on such as valve adjustments, new alternator, electrical problems, etc.
Thanks for your article to remind us to keep our bodies and lives healthy. We need to keep them healthy as well as our cars before we get warning signs of a problem.
Friends Forever,
Kerry
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 am
Kerry,
Thanks for drawing such a brilliant analogy. You surprised me, but I LOVED reading your comment and having you visit my blog. You are a beautiful friend!
August 1st, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Darlene
You look amazing, red is your colour and what a cute little puppy running in and out of the video. I hate to say it but I pay little attention to my car as well. Wake up call Belinda.
I am also interested in what Louise did to change her diet as I feel this keeps coming up for me recently. Time to do something about it.
Thanks for this timely reminder.
Belinda
Belinda Cunningham´s last blog ..How to find your niche
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:16 am
Belinda,
The wake up call is in front of both of us. Warning signs have been flying in from multiple directions. Can we commit to following Louise’s example?!
August 1st, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Darlene,
I would love to hear more about your story and how you are currently keeping yourself healthy.
You are so right. We wouldn’t put faulty stuff (like sugar and fat) into our cars, but we are often so careless with our bodies. I have been guilty of spending hours sitting at the computer without stretching, and I wonder why my body hurts.
By the way, I realized from your post that you do not know Spanish. Here is how you spell “manana.” (It also has a little squiggle underneath the n)
Dr. Erica Goodsotne´s last blog ..Labiaplasty is NOT for YOU if you Love Your Body For Women Only
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 am
Dr. Erica,
Will be happy to share more of my story with you. Thanks for pointing out the spelling error. Always feel free to correct me. I love learning!
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:56 am
Wow great information. I guess I have been running on empty. I get in the groove and before I know it the day is gone. Sometimes I eat a lunch other times it’s dinner time before I realize what happened. Once I get in the grove there is no telling when I will look at the clock again to see what time it is. Maybe I should set an alarm to take breaks.
Thanks for sharing I will defiantly try to work these items into my day.
Rob
Rob Franta´s last blog ..How to create true- recession proof- residual income
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:23 am
Rob,
Yes, I have actually set an alarm at my desk and forced myself to take hourly breaks. After you do that for a week it becomes a habit. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you that this has become one of your new habits!
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
Nice tips Darlene, I really try to do too much with little sleep. I really don’t care that much and I do take supplements but I never know what less sleep can do for my future health. I never think about it but I’m going to get more rest and bring some balance in my life. Thanks Darlene
Rick Salas´s last blog ..Lead Conversion Tips On How To Maximize Your Leads List And Increase Profits
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:25 am
Rick,
Balance is what it is all about. You will never be sorry for getting those extra winks of sleep, and it will actually help you stay better organized during the day.
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Darlene,
Boy do I need to revamp my entire work ethic…Thanks for this post…as I write this comment it’s almost 2 am and the alarm clock will be going off in 4 hours. Dad always told me “time” will always win…I push the limits and try to squeeze out every second of every day – I am often tripping in the door to a client meeting…it does add some unnecessary stress – then the entire eating habits thing…nuf said – I need a make over
Tim Somers´s last blog ..Custom Golf Balls Drive Business
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:57 am
Tim,
You are a young man. Now is the time to build and reinforce a healthy lifestyle. It will truly reward you in the long run. Help! Do I sound like your mother?
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Hi Darlene
That is a great post and I love the video. I love that you look so relaxed and also very attractive. I also love your little dog.
I used to think I have always eaten healthily, but I actually avoided junk food and hardly ate much at all. I could easily go all day without food as I was busy. Now that really is trying to run a car on empty!
For many years now I have been into wellness. I eat really well and take supplements. I am very passionate about being proactive with me health.
Thanks for an awesome message you are an inspiration.
Sue
Sue Price´s last blog ..Is Success or Failure a Better Teacher
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:55 am
Thanks, Sue. Video has been a major challenge for me. Your feedback means a lot! You are an inspiration to me, too!
August 3rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Great analogy and very inspiring post. I have health issues to that I’ve struggled with for 17 years. It’s not until you don’t have that perfect health that your really appreciate what you do have. I always had the mind set that I wasn’t going to let my health problem stop me; I wouldn’t let it ‘win’. But somehow over the past few years, I started believing that I was disabled and I started letting that health problem control my life.
It was only a couple of days ago that I really figured this out. It was my ‘limiting belief’. How did I go from being so determined, to letting it get the better of me? I think that it wears you down after years and years of suffering. Maybe it was only a matter of time before I lost the battle.
The good news is, now that I realize that I have been letting this happen, I got my determination back. It only ‘wins’ if I let it. Amazingly, that change in my attitude, has already made a huge difference in my life – in just two days!
Your post is extremely inspiring! When you are exercising and eating healthy, you have so much more energy and you feel great. Nothing compares to the effect that taking proper care of yourself has on how you feel.
Thank you for sharing this Darlene and keep up the fight! Keep ‘winning’ your battle!!
Wendy
Wendy Hewlett´s last blog ..More On Our Inner Self-Limiting Beliefs
August 3rd, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Wendy,
We are kindred spirits, my friend. I’d like to know more about your story and how you’ve decided to “win”. Let’s stay in touch! Thanks so much for sharing your personal journey.
August 4th, 2010 at 8:37 am
Darlene. Thank you for the swift kick in the back. My workout/me time has been taking a backseat as I have had to play “Mr. Mom” much more often over the past couple of years. It is time to get myself focused again on workouts/healthy eating. Work will always be there tomorrow.
Scott Pollov´s last blog ..Why Write A Business Plan – Eight Great Reasons!
August 4th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Hey Scott,
It is always easy to take a back seat to ourselves. A wise person once told me “If you don’t put yourself first in the equation no one else will either.” Hope you can start today with a healthy plan!
August 4th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Thanks Darlene this assisted me in taking another look at myself and maybe slow down a little. Always a good reminder to take care of ourselves.
Thanks again,
Michael
August 4th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Michael,
Glad it will make you think about taking care of yourself. It really needs to be at the TOP of everyone’s list:)
August 5th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Darlene~
You go girl! I love this post!!! I can tell by the comments that I’m not alone!! You are such a dear friend, and I’m grateful for our friendship! You look beautiful on this video (Abbie looks great too!) and I know we will succeed together! You lift me up with your movies and written word!
Thank you,
Linda
Linda G. Cox´s last blog ..Generation Y
August 5th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Thanks, Linda. You’re an incredibly dear friend to me, too! Can’t wait for us to celebrate our successful journey together:)
August 5th, 2010 at 10:12 am
A very good reminder! I have learned this lesson the hard way too. I am seeking to do a lot better taking care of myself.
Kevin M.´s last blog ..Is the journey more important than the destination
August 5th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
You are so wise!! More of us need take this advice. Too many of us just take our health for granted until we lose it. Fortunately for me I found the notion to stay healthy before I was given a physical challenge. Looking after oneself can be time consuming and challenging too. It is a must! I look forward to hearing more of your stories and what you do cause any advice you give will be well worth hearing! Thanks, Excellent post!
Holly´s last blog ..5 Self Doubt Eliminators
August 6th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Darlene, in my 21 years of health consulting I have found that you are exactly correct. The vast majority of people take their health for granted and neglect themselves…even when they know better. The dirty little secret, however, is that we can’t feel what is happening at present…we feel the effects of our past efforts. Health is a cumulative thing as well as ill-health. Just because you are feeling great today doesn’t mean that you should not be diligent today…for what you do today will in large part determine how you feel tomorrow, or next week or next month etc…
Thanks again for a great post!
Bruce Backman´s last blog ..Are You Educated about the Supplements You Take-Buyer Beware Safety May be an issue