My Body, My Responsibility

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This article was originally written for and posted in my column, The Fitness Corner, in The Macon Telegraph.

If you’ve ever seen me speaking at an event or manning a table somewhere, you’ve probably noticed my shirt.

Last year, I designed a shirt that bears a saying that describes not only something I stand for, but also what I aim to communicate to others as a personal trainer, health and exercise columnist and blogger.

The saying reads, “My doctor is not responsible for my health. … I am.”

Now, the quick observer might read my shirt and come to the erroneous conclusion that I believe that all doctors are bad, that all medicine is bad, and that the medical system should be avoided altogether.

I believe nothing of the sort.

Thank God for doctors, and other medical professionals, who truly care for their patients, love what they do and do it well — as well as for advances in medicine and medical procedures that improve quality of life and save people every single day.

Actually, the message conveyed by my shirt is that each of us is the steward of our own bodies. We are responsible for their maintenance and up keeping. You might have the absolute best doctor in the world, but he or she is not responsible for your health — you are.

We’re All Business Owners

Picture this: If your body was a business, you would be the chief executive officer. You’re responsible for all final decisions about what you do with your body. You decide what goes in your body, how much sleep you get, whether you exercise and how you deal with stress.

Your doctor’s role in the business of your body is different. Instead of serving as the CEO, your doctor would serve in more of an advisory role. He or she has specific knowledge and experience that can help you operate your body better and help you deal with any special issues that come up, which you’re unable to handle on your own.

Your doctor can’t decide whether you eat your vegetables, but he or she is a part of your team.

So, Mr/Mrs CEO?

With all of this said, I ask you today, CEO, how are you handling your body’s business? Would your body make it onto a health “Forbes 500” listing because of daily wise health decisions, or are your health decisions causing you to struggle to stay afloat?

If things aren’t going so great, don’t worry; today is a totally new day. You can start taking your health more seriously than you ever have right now, focusing on what you can control rather than on what you cannot control.

Today, you can stop putting off your thoughts about joining a gym or starting a walking program. Begin now with making the diet changes you spoke of implementing months or years ago.

I issue a challenge to you to adopt my T-shirt saying. Give your doctor a breather and decide today to assume full responsibility for your own health. Why? Because at the end of the day, no one can care for your body like you can.

Shawn McClendon
Shawn McClendon is an author, podcast host, fitness entrepreneur and owner of Back to Basics Health and Wholeness LLC, an organization dedicated to empowering people to take responsibility for their own health.

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