The older we get the more we start thinking about our health. At least I do. I never really cared that much when I was a young woman. Eating healthy? Ha! I scoff at the idea of having a proper diet. Exercising? Seriously? I’m plenty active, I don’t need to exercise. Vitamins? Really? Please, just stop already with the suggestions. I’m young. I’m healthy.
Yeah, not so much any more. Being “healthy” as a young person is to be, well, sort of . . . expected. But how you treat your body when you’re young has a huge impact on how you age and what your body does later in life. Now, sometimes things can’t be helped. Some “health” stuff is genetic and can’t be altered. And not every young person is “healthy,” even if they think they are. I was. Fortunately.
But now? Now things are going haywire. Seriously folks, don’t turn 50. That’s when things start a rapid decline. At least for me. All that not-so-healthy eating is catching up with me. All that “I don’t need to exercise” mentality is starting to shine through the thin veneer of “I’m healthy.” Yeah, that “young healthy” veneer wears off as we age. I know, shocker.
I don’t think I know anyone in my age bracket who doesn’t take a prescription medication for something. There’s not a thing wrong with that. If your body needs help, please help it. Longevity is for everyone and if there is something we can do to increase it, by all means, do it. If that means taking a pill or a handful of pills every day, then so be it.
I always thought people who took prescriptions were sick. Nope. That is not the case. I take 4 prescriptions. I’m not sick. Seems like every year another one is added. I used to try real hard to fix whatever was going wonky with a holistic approach before succumbing to pills. But that gets old. And tiresome.
Here’s what I’m talking about: I used to be blessed with a thin body. I was a skinny kid, a slender teen-ager, a svelte 30-something and then a slightly rounded 40-year-old. Now, I’ve got that mid-life, 10 extra pounds that will not go away. No matter what. I exercise, I diet, I fast, I starve myself, I juice, I lose half an ounce. I don’t want to live that way. Eating and enjoying myself is far too important to me to continue on that strict regime. I’ve just accepted that those 10 extra pounds are here to stay.
And then there’s the cholesterol. I never worried about cholesterol. Pfftt. Cholesterol is something my grandma worries about. Um hm. Yes indeed. Grandma has to worry about her cholesterol because as a young woman she never thought it would be an issue. Now here I am, grandma age and, sure enough, bad cholesterol. I’ve tried eating the appropriate diet, cutting out certain things (that I happen to love) and still with the high cholesterol. Why is that? I’m doing what the nutritionist said, shouldn’t my cholesterol be good?
Alas, my cholesterol is still not good and I’m tired of not eating what I like. So, I take the pills. Life is way to short to eat crappy, boring food. I’m gonna eat what I want, cholesterol be damned. Besides my doctor told me that some people are just prone to bad cholesterol. Super. Color me happy.
Anyway, between the cholesterol meds, the thyroid meds, the medication to control my Menierre’s Disease (see, that’s the thing I have no control over), I’m a pill-popping, 50-something, carrying around 10 extra pounds, but by golly, I’m happy. And I’m gonna clean my plate.
Have you guys resigned yourself to just taking the pills instead of doing whatever to reduce the whatever’s ailing you? Have you tried a non-medication approach to improving your body’s malfunctions? Are you now a pill-popping person? It’s okay. I’d bet there’s more of us out there than the other way around.
Word of the Day: Philter / Philtre
Fun fact about me: I believe in the power of holistic medicine. I’m just too lazy to adhere to it.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2021. Images by Google.
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jansenschmidt 
Yes, I had my first doctor’s appointment in the new decade on Friday. All sorts of new things are in store for me because of my blood chemistry and the fact i am a sexagenarian – love that word by the way. I wish I could do away with the meds, but they do help. And I’ll be honest I don’t exercise as often as I should though I do enjoy the long walks I squeeze in on the weekends and of course my taste buds are to blame, too. Take care and enjoy a fabulous week! Peace.
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Uggg – those “annual” doctor visits. I wish it would be like my car, change the oil and give me a tune-up and I’m good for another 5,000 miles. But, nope. It never works that way with humans.
But, you gotta do it. So we suck it up and soldier on. The alternative is not even something to consider. Carry on my sexagenarian friend! Live long and prosper.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Patricia
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In response to your three questions….yes, yes and yes. In spite of the creaks and cracks, I still manage a 70 minute, 4-mile power walk every day. My motto is: Crispy Critters of the World Unite!
And yes, youth is definitely wasted on the young.
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A daily 4-mile power walk is awesome!!!! I bow down to you my overachieving friend. Keep it up.
I’ve adopted the suck it up and soldier on approach. Life is too short. Do what you gotta do and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Here’s to you my friend! Keep power-walking on and have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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Yes, I’m a pill popper …. but at least some of them are supplements that are hopefully keeping me a tad healthier. Old age ain’t for sissies!
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Jan – I also take a handful of supplements. Between the prescriptions and the herbal additions to my morning I believe I’m about as healthy as I’m gonna get at this point. I will admit that I’m rarely sick so it must be working right?
We’re all getting older but I’m gonna go down fighting.
Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
Patricia
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I’m with you on all of this, and yes, handful of vitamins every day or my fatigue is even worse. And yes, cholesterol was never an issue for me until after menopause – ugh! Not yet to the point of taking pills for it, but I also don’t have the energy to cook healthy meals every night, so that’s coming. As they say, getting old is not for sissies! But it beats the alternative, huh?
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I’m a huge believer in vitamins and herbal supplements. I try to find a non-medicinal remedy if possible but sometimes you have to do what’s best for your body by taking the prescription meds. We all do what we gotta do.
Here’s to you – live long and prosper my friend. (I’m raising my little orange bottle with the white plastic cap.)
Patricia
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I’m pretty sure you just channeled my life! I can hurt my knee by stepping out the door wrong or sprain my back by putting on my socks. That pesky 10 pounds? Not going anywhere unless I want to eat only leaves for the rest of my life (not happening). Getting old is not for the weak at heart! The only pill I take is for my thyroid disease (can’t be helped!), but I take a handful of vitamins every morning…and I discovered an herbal remedy that actually helps my premenopausal sleep. That is one pill I’m NOT giving up for anything. I actually feel like myself again. High-five to facing the aging process with as much grace as possible!
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I also take a handful of vitamins and herbal supplements each morning. Combined with the 4 prescription meds, I believe I’m about as healthy as I can be. I’m rarely sick so it must be working right?
I’d love to know what you take for premenopausal sleep. I don’t know when was the last time I had a full night of uninterrupted sleep.
Live long and prosper my friend as I raise my little orange plastic bottle and clink the white plastic lid against yours.
Patricia
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I’ll PM you!
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