Should Influencers Be Responsible For Promoting A Healthy Lifestyle?
Yes! But only if they are the right kind.
When it comes to influencers, there are two different types:
The ones who’ll promote anything for the right price.
And the ones who only promote what they really believe in.
Taking health advice online is incredibly common in 2024. Many people turn to social media before they Google. So being selective about who gets to influence our health is key.
The risk of listening to someone that will promote anything for the right price…?
Most are quick to promote things like:
- Quick fixes
- Miracle cures
- Cookie cutter approaches
- One size fits all information
…Without realising the damage they are doing to the people who are watching and listening to their advice.
With the platform that some of these influencers have, they could be doing some amazing work…
They could be a key tool in spreading the message of a better lifestyle, health, and fitness for people across the world…
But instead the majority of them choose to promote fat melting potions and glorified circuit training plans.
I have no issue with influencers.
In fact, some of my best clients have been influencers.
I love anything that gives people wider access to quality health information – especially in south asian populations.
An article in Forbes identified some of the benefits of influencers talking about health online:
- It makes access to health education easy
- Talking about health issues can be done without stigma or judgement
- Influencers can help their audience make positive changes in their lives
But sometimes, the need to promote products or services could come before real information. And not everyone is qualified to talk about the subtleties and nuances of complex health issues, like obesity.
When health issues are tackled right, by the right kind of people, it could inspire massive positive change.
One of the good ones is our client Tejal.
Tejal is a full time influencer and mompreneur who runs her own coaching business specialising all things parenting.
She has a large following on Instagram and she makes it her mission to deliver the best advice possible, leading by example at every chance she can get.
But it wasn’t always this way for Tejal…
She hadn’t always served herself, and rarely put herself first. Tejal was neglecting the things that SHE needed…
And that’s why she came to KMAKFitness for help.
Before she came to us, from the outside looking in, Tejal had a great life…
- 3 happy and healthy children.
- A loving husband.
- An impactful coaching business.
- A social media presence that she worked hard to build.
Despite all of the positives in her life, Tejal felt disconnected from her body, and who she was as a person.
She wanted to realign her body, with how she wanted to feel, and the things that she valued in her life.
Here’s in insight into what Tejal valued from her experiences with health:
- Self Reclamation: After spending the last 10 years focused on her children, Tejal was ready to reclaim her body and rediscover her own strength. She wanted to feel confident in her own skin and proud of her physical and mental resilience.
- Being Healthy & Present For Her Kids: Tejal wanted to make sure that she was the best version of herself that she could be. She wanted a front-row seat in their lives now, and well into their adulthood.
- To Be A Role Model: Tejal wanted to document her journey so that she could share it with her followers and kids as she progressed. Sharing her struggles and successes had a purpose – to ignite a spark in others.
If these aren’t genuine motivators as a mother and an influencer for parents, then I don’t know what are!
Tejal got her transformation…
In fact, she absolutely killed it.
And what’s more, she has carried on killing it and even her kids have joined in too.
She set the example that she was trying to set, and inspired her followers to believe that they can do the same in their lives.
How Can A Busy Mompreneur Prioritise Their Health And Run A Successful Business?
It’s not only possible to prioritise yourself as an entrepreneur – but essential for long term success of both your personal and professional life.
But that does not mean it is easy.
If not structured and managed correctly, it can be like a constant tug of war between the demands of life…
The responsibility of running a business pulls against the needs of raising a family and trying to do things for yourself.
But it needs to be done.
Putting yourself first might seem selfish at times, but it’s far from it. it’s actually a crucial part of maintaining the energy and focus needed to thrive in all areas.
In a nutshell…
When a mompreneur takes care of herself, she’s better equipped to handle the challenges of her business and her personal life.
The key to achieving this balance?
Time management.
Time is finite.
When we were supporting Tejal, our priority was making decisions that simplified her life.
Running a business, and juggling a demanding schedule was tough.
If we didn’t make healthy behaviours feel:
- Easy
- More appealing than unhealthy behaviours
We knew they wouldn’t stick no matter how much “willpower” she had.
In fact, this is the mistake most people make when they try to get in shape by themselves.
Here’s an example of how that could look:
Scheduling early morning workouts before the kids wake.
Great if you’ve got small kids – and you’re an early bird!
Going for a walk on your lunch break to have some time with your thoughts.
This is a gamechanger if you work at a desk – or in an office environment where you’ll end up working through lunch if you’re not careful.
Blocking out time to do something that you enjoy like hobbies.
While this might seem like an optional extra – especially while building a business – this actually keeps you creative and fresh.
Time to recharge isn’t a luxury.
Not when your personal and professional life depends on it.
These simple acts of self care can significantly impact mental and physical wellbeing. They can be a massive source of energy that is needed when juggling multiple responsibilities.
Remember, prioritising yourself isn’t selfish – it’s selfless.
When you take care of yourself, You set a powerful example for everyone…
- Your children.
- Your partner.
- Your employees.
And probably most importantly of all, YOURSELF.
A prime example of this is Tejal…
After years of putting others first, and still managing to find success and progress, she decided to reach out for help…
She wanted help so that she could double down on her focus, reconnect with her body, and serve HER needs.
Who benefitted?
The same people from the list above – EVERYONE.
She demonstrated that it’s possible to be a dedicated mother and a successful entrepreneur without sacrificing personal health and happiness.
Healthy Eating And Weight Loss For Entrepreneurs.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while managing the demands of entrepreneurship is no easy task…
The fast paced nature of running a business as well as all the responsibilities that come with your personal life…
It’s a lot!
And that means that meal planning, exercise, or even thinking about health in general often gets pushed to the bottom of the to do list.
It can leave you unhappy, with a lack of energy, and not knowing where to turn next – all of which can negatively impact both your health and your business.
A lot of entrepreneurs find themselves grabbing whatever food is convenient, skipping meals altogether, or relying on quick fixes that have the nutritional value of a sock!
Over time, these habits slowly become a natural part of everyday life, and the longer it goes unchecked, the harder it is to fix.
Inside KMAKFitness, we understand these challenges, and know that sustainable fat loss and healthy eating require more than quick tips…
However, to help you start on the right path, here are 10 KMAK-approved tips specifically for entrepreneurs looking to improve their health and manage their weight.
- Prep meals: Save time and avoid unhealthy choices by planning and preparing your meals in advance.
- Eat whole foods: Focus on consuming natural, unprocessed foods like Proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Keep healthy snacks with you at all times: Things like nuts, fruit, or yoghurt.
- Eat healthily and regularly: Stick to balanced meals at consistent intervals to maintain energy levels and avoid overeating.
- Stay hydrated: A lot of the time when you think you are hungry, you are actually thirsty, stay topped up!
- Build a plan that fits your schedule: Work to a realistic eating and exercise plan that works with your busy lifestyle.
- Exercise and lift weights: Incorporate strength training and regular exercise to boost energy, mood, and health.
- Accept that you sometimes have to eat late: It’s better to have a healthy meal later in the day than to skip it altogether.
- You can’t conquer everything all at once: Focus on making gradual changes that are sustainable long term.
- Get professional help: It’s out there and waiting to give you the guidance that you need.
Prioritising your health and fitness isn’t just about you…
It’s about being the best version of yourself for your family and your business. Tejal was once where you are now. Feeling overwhelmed and unsure if she could fit self care into her busy life.
But she found the strength to reclaim her body, boost her energy, and transform her mindset.
She never once sacrificed running a successful business and being a present, loving mom.
It actually helped her make more money from her sponsors, and gave her more energy to be an active role model for her kid.
If Tejal can do it, so can you.
The first step is deciding that you want more information.
That’s it.
If you don’t want to move forward after that – you’ll still walk away with a clear plan on how to take care of your health as an entrepreneur.