Why I sold my convertible and how it relates to health choices

This week I want to talk about why I sold my sexy Lexus convertible last year and how it relates to your health choices, priorities and plans for a lifetime of health.

If you do not know my personal story then briefly just over a year ago I walked out on my cushy corporate executive job and career to take on Sleekgeek fulltime. I left with  only a year’s worth of living costs in my savings and a big dream to help 100,000 people find a healthy lifestyle. You can read more about that over here. [Why I left corporate]

Naively I thought that I could maintain the lifestyle I had always enjoyed. But that was not to be.

It was a moment I remember vividly. I was standing at the meat and poultry section of the Woolworths in Seapoint with chicken in my hand. (This was before I started the Paleomonkey.com meal delivery service and was still cooking for myself.)

I was being far more mindful of my budget then I had to be in my past life. In fact I probably should not have even been in a Woolworths. I was agonising over whether I should buy the free range or non free range chicken. I picked up the free range chicken knowing that was the better choice. I looked at the price. I vacillated. I put it back. After a few minutes of this I ended up taking the cheaper option. I walked away feeling defeated and sad.

I could not shake the feeling. I value my health and I wanted to give my body the better choice.

I left the store, got into my car and now for the first time my gorgeous Lexus and its monthly installment suddenly became offensive to me. It was the weirdest feeling ever. I loved that car. But all of a sudden it became a symbol of oppression standing between me and what I wanted….. HEALTH.

So I sold my car and bought my grandfather’s 1969 Volvo from my uncle for R23,000 cash and have not had a car payment since.

I had also cancelled my DSTV about 2 months before because my Crossfit fees were pretty heavy. But doing Crossfit was a priority and more important to me then having 100 channels and nothing to watch. I’d rather pay R1,000 a month for Crossfit then opt for a cheaper gym option that I will not enjoy and probably not do.

Am I saying sell your car? Cancel your DSTV? Not at all!

What I am saying is try your best not to compromise and cut corners on your health.

I hear people complaining about gym fees but it is likely that the other few hundred rands are being spent in other places that are not necessary. Like that extra dinner out on the town for example. Or on soft drinks perhaps. Even regular coffee from places like Vida. That can add up big time.

Strive to give your body the best

I regard food as fuel and I am not going to skimp on my body. I feel the same for anything related such as supplements like Omega, Vitamin D3. I want the best I can do for myself.

I have an injury. I am going to pay money to have it sorted out.

Sadly we have evolved to the point that we put ourselves and our bodies last. Do you put yourself last?

We take our car services seriously but ignore our own vehicles. Our bodies. They also need maintenance.

We put the wishes of our bosses over our need for rest and recreation.

Having said all of this I am sensitive to the fact that some people in our community have financial issues and not everyone has the luxury of choice. If you are financially stressed you should not be discouraged.

My message is, even in the smallest of daily decision making, to do what you can to give yourself and your family the best when it comes to health at the expense of the unhealthy.

This could simply mean a choice of veggies over chips or bread.

You can definitely be healthy and make BETTER choices for yourself on a budget. It is all relative.

I hope sharing my personal experience has inspired you.

Feel free to comment below if you have any thoughts to share.

Elan

CONNECT with me and Sleekgeek

• Newsletter: This post appeared in my weekly Sleekgeek community newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter HERE and get it fresh in your inbox every Thursday.
• FB: Get the full Sleekgeek experience by joining 1000’s of others in our Facebook Group 
• Twitter: Follow me on twitter @sleekgeekSA