Delegation works, sometimes.
For decades, too many to count, you’ve been taking care of everyone else, managing work, family, and home life, giving back and, in general, getting stuff done. How? By delegating to others. You cannot possibly be the expert in everything, so you find experts you can trust, and then delegate the details to those in the know.
You’re really good at it.
- For example, when you buy a car, you take it for a test drive and trust your favorite mechanic for a full report. You only read the manual in the glove compartment when the warning light comes on.
- And when you eat out, you ask the server/chef about the choices, the specials and ask for an opinion. You only ask about detailed ingredients when there’s a food allergy or a diet restriction.
- When you plan to travel, you ask a friend or a website for the best recommendations. Then you trust their advice and book your trip.
Delegation is not the best option when it comes to your health, especially as you age.
When you go to the doctor, all too often, it’s more of the same. We grew up watching Marcus Welby on TV and learned at an early age to trust our medical team, no questions asked.
- Your doctor prescribes a new medication, the office calls it into your pharmacy. You read the dosage on the label and any instructions, and add it to your collection.
- But you may not fully understand what it does, and only really read the inserts or search online when the side effects become as bad as the condition it was meant to treat.
Most of our medical appointments last under 13 minutes. Besides blood work, test results, and asking what’s new, there’s not much time left to discuss underlying concerns and options for what may work best in your case.
And as we age, everything gets more complicated as we see a lineup of ‘ologists’ and take overlapping medications.
With so many variables, some of it conflicting, we find ourselves asking one question.
Who is in charge?
There is only one person who really knows how your medications, their side effects and your original symptoms make you feel right now, and 7×24.
- Only one who knows how much the quality of your life has stalled or been reduced based on less mobility, more pain, too many meds, and limited life choices caused by all of the above.
- Only one who knows what it would mean to you to regain control of your health.
- Only one who knows your deepest hopes and fears about aging.
That person is you.
Delegate your health no more.
You can start to take back control of your health when you start to own the outcomes and stop delegating the details. Ask questions. Get answers. Partner with those who can help you to make informed decisions about your health and how you want to age.
This is why my group coaching program training starts with an entire section on becoming more self-aware so you can know where you are and how you got here.
Even with a plant-based food first approach, we all need to start based on where we are today. Think of standing in a mall next to one of those directory signs. You are here, and where is that exactly? It helps to know how ready you are to make a lifestyle change, what is the best on-ramp for new food choices and, with support from your doctor, an off ramp to some medications. Being self-aware can make all the difference.
Here is a simple self-aware tip from my Eat to Heal Over 50 program.
- Make a list of all your medications. Read all the inserts and/or do an online search to list any relevant side effects, recommended duration, and drug interactions.
- Compare to your experience. What do you notice? Any symptoms that may be related?
- Any ahas? Talk to your doctor about other options.
If you would prefer a food-first approach for healthy aging, the need for less medications, and help to make a plant-based lifestyle change that fits into your life instead of the other way around, let’s talk!
