As I mentioned in last week’s post, this year I’m really focusing more on my health and looking for ways to feel better and have my health as good as it can be. When we are young, we sure take health for granted and we don’t think about what we are eating, or even exercising all the time. We take a lot of things for granted in our younger years, don’t we? We move on through the decades and begin to notice little changes and then bigger changes in how we feel and look. They creep up and we don’t notice it in big and glaring ways, but subtle small ways. And then we wake up and we’re in our late 60’s, I’m 68 now and things have really changed with our bodies, how we feel and figuring out what to do to get to a better place.
I’ve spent my whole life trying to do the right things with my health. I tried to eat fairly healthy, but now I’m finding out we don’t even really know what that means without studying and diving into the deep end of our food supply and how much processed foods have hurt our health. I’m finally on board to try to figure this out even more. I’ve never had a weight problem, so I’ve always eaten in moderation, trying to eat what I considered healthy. My parents always had a garden growing up, so I developed a good taste for fresh veggies and I try to eat those regularly, although I wasn’t eating them as much as I should. Mark doesn’t eat that many veggies, so I began not buying them as much and not fixing them for myself, but that’s changing this year. I’m buying organic veggies now and I’m eating a lot more of them on a daily and weekly basis. Hopefully, this will help me feel better too.
Sleep is another area that needs much improvement. I’ve talked to many people that are my age and older and it seems to be an aging thing, but it sure drives me crazy. I’ve tried all the supplements and nothing works consistently. I can have several nights of decent sleep and then one that’s just terrible, tossing and turning, can’t go back to sleep. If you have any ideas on that, I’d love to hear them. I’ve tried melatonin, magnesium and other supplements over the years. Nothing seems to help all the time. If I get 6 hours sleep without waking, it’s a good night. I’d love to get 7 or 8, but that’s pretty impossible these days. I always wake up once and then have to you know…go. Sometimes I can get back to sleep and sometimes, I’m awake for hours.
What started this journey is that in this decade, I’ve noticed a loss of energy, so I really want to get some of my energy back. I am dealing with a few health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and I’m hypothyroid, with hair loss over the last 5 years. So a triple whammy which can really impact my health. I’ve been on meds for the high blood pressure for close to 10 years and the same with thyroid meds. The problem is that doctors put us on these meds and then we hardly ever talk about it again. They just expect you’ll stay on them for the rest of your life. I’m not ok with that and so I want to get to the bottom of why I have these issues and what I can do to improve them. I’m not one to just take the meds and shut up. I want to know why. So that’s my mission this year, to find the answers to some of my questions and find the root causes and not just cover up the symptoms.
That’s why I decided to try a functional medicine doctor. If I can improve and get off these 2 meds I’m on, then I’m all for that. If not, I’ll continue to take them if there is not a better solution. I did refuse to take a statin, because I have read too much about the bad side effects and how bad they are in the long run. I won’t change my mind on those. I don’t necessarily believe everything doctors say, even though most of them mean well and want to help people. Especially after the debacle of what we all went through with Covid and pushing the shots to everyone, whether we wanted them or not. I’ve mentioned before that I didn’t get those shots, nor have I ever had a flu shot or any of those shots. It’s just something I haven’t ever been comfortable with myself. I won’t even do a shingles shot and I’ve had shingles before. I will rely on my immune system to fight things. So far, it’s served me well. I’m fortunate I don’t get sick very often. I don’t even know the last time I had something like flu. I get colds periodically, but can take zinc and knock them out pretty fast. I have had a stomach bug a few times over the years that is highly contagious, but that’s about the extent of me being sick. Knock on wood.
I’ve been working out since I was 25, so I’ve always been active and try to keep on moving all these years. That’s never changed and I’ve shared workouts and how I have gone to the gym and lifted weights and done cardio for a long time. I’m still going to the gym and lifting weights and I want to stay toned and keep my weight in a good place for years to come. I’ve never had to worry about weight, that’s one positive and that’s probably a good thing since I also have skeleton issues. Here’s an old post about working out I wrote over 10 years ago, but I basically do the same workout now.
I was diagnosed with scoliosis and spondylolisthesis when I turned 40. Those issues have continued to get a little worse, but I’ve managed it with chiropractic visits and staying active. I believe whole heartedly that if we don’t keep moving, we lose our momentum and strength. I watched my parents never stop moving and how that served them so well all the way to their 90’s. So, that’s my goal too, to keep moving my body and staying active for a long time. If we sit and don’t get up and move, it’s so detrimental to our health and having a good quality of life.
I began having hip pain over 10 years ago as well. One thing I’ve noticed is that most of my issues started after menopause, so I can’t help but think there’s a connection there. Menopause depletes our bodies of so much and it just seems like that’s when all my issues began. I’m glad women are talking more and more about menopause these days because we all have to deal with it. My mom never talked much about it, so I didn’t learn a lot from her. I sort of ignored it until it happened to me and then I had to figure it out. I still don’t have it all figured out, but it does seem like it contributes to a lot of issues. I didn’t have horrible menopause symptoms like hot flashes, which I’m thankful for. We are looking at hormone balancing too with the functional medicine doc.
So, back to the hips. I have severe arthritis in my hips and they are bone on bone for the most part, both hips. I’ve had scans done in the last year and so at this point, it’s up to me when I decide the pain is too much and I’m ready to get hip replacement surgery. I’ve managed the pain for a long time and I’ve had one steroid shot to see if that helped and it didn’t. At this point, I know it will get worse as I get older, so I’ve decided this is the year I’ll get my first hip done. The right one is the worst so I’ll start with that one and get my plans in place. I don’t plan to do anything until after our trip to Italy in April. I’ll keep you posted on that too as I get closer to doing the surgery. My sister has had both her hips replaced in the last 10 years and had a great outcome.
I started meeting with a local chiropractor/functional medicine doctor here in Acworth. Her name is Dr. Deb Schreibner at Lakepointe Wellness and I really like her approach. She looks at everything. In August, I did several tests so we could see where I am with all my numbers, etc. We did a blood test, urine test, hair analysis, and saliva tests. These all show a lot of what is going on in the body and then I started on supplements to get my body more balanced in the right direction. I just did a second set of tests to see where I am now after taking the supplements for 3 months. I also did a 21 day detox, which ended right at Thanksgiving, so I cheated the last couple of days. I was hoping my sweet tooth would go away, but it didn’t. I ate fruits and vegetables for the first 10 days then added in meat for the last 11. Just real whole foods. That got me thinking about changing my eating habits a lot and I’ve stuck a lot of it, adding more veggies in and eating less rice and pasta and adding in quinoa and more healthy alternatives. I’m switching out some of the foods I bring in the house, like mayo and some other things like that, swapping for healthier versions. It’s so hard to figure out what is really healthy, they don’t make it easy! Just be aware, if you go this route with a functional medicine doctor, that it’s not inexpensive and insurance doesn’t pay for it. All out of pocket, which can be thousands with the testing and supplements. I hope it’s worth it, so we will see. I’ll do a follow up post in a few months to see where I am.
I’m not giving up all sugar yet, but I have swapped out my bread to sourdough bread, since that is a better bread for our guts, without all the gluten in regular bread. I’m not giving up all crackers and chips, but making healthier swaps on those too. I’m also learning about seed oils and how bad they are for us, so I’m trying to get those out of the house and be more careful with what I buy that’s packaged. It’s definitely a journey to try to eat healthier and reading labels has never been my thing until now. I did download a couple of apps to help keep me on track, the Bobby Approved app (that’s literally the name of it) and the Yuka app. They don’t always agree on what’s healthy, but it’s a good start. Bobby Approved app looks at seed oils too and I think the other one does not, but they are both good guides. They both have a bar code scanner you can use when you’re in the store to see what’s good or bad. I’m starting to buy organic meats and pasture raised eggs. Every little bit helps.
I’m hopeful we may get some improvements with our food supply and that the government might start making changes so that our food supply is improved and less toxic. It’s so frustrating to me to hear that European countries don’t allow so much of the chemicals and ingredients that are in our foods and theirs are so much better for us. Let’s hope some changes are coming for all of us. Our country is not healthy and we are the most obese nation in the world. Something needs to change!
So that’s a wrap up of what I’m doing right now to try to improve my health. I am hoping the functional medicine doc will get me to a better place as we work through the issues and figure out what all I need to be taking and hopefully with an improved way of eating, those changes will pay off too. It’s small steps at a time. I’m not trying to change it all at once, but making better choices every day and every week will hopefully get me where I want to be. I want to have more energy and to feel better and to improve my aches and pains, which will improve my quality of life. Food and exercise are so important to us and I’m on that journey to better health. I’ll keep you posted as I move through this journey. I’d love to hear from all of you on how you’re coping with the aging process. There’s so much talk now about pro-aging and aging gracefully. I’m all for that too, but I also believe in being realistic and talking about the hard things, the aches and pains that come with aging. It’s not for sissies, as they say! And that is the truth!
this is such a terrific addition to you blog!! thank you. After a long lasting episode with shingles that my internist said she had never seen such a horrid case I did give in to the new shingle shots. With so many adverse reactions to meds she had not wanted to take a chance with the previous shots.
I am curious about your thyroid te
st. the endocrinologist did not think much about the reporting method most labs have.
Insomnia- have you tried the magnesium oil FOOT spray ??? It seems the bottom of the feet and underarm area absorb it best. Amazon has a spray specially for feet.
Would you like to give us more information about your apps ??
Brenda, I’ve seen the magnesium oil spray and I’m tempted to try it, so I may do that. I have tried so much that doesn’t seem to work long term. If I get 6 hours straight, it’s a miracle.
I’ve followed you for many years and have always enjoyed the fashion and home info but I must say your last 2 posts really resonated with me. 1. hips are easy easier than knee replacements so I know you’ll do well with yours im sure 2. I had scoliosis as a child and wore a back brace my entire high school life so I can relate and 3. I was def the covid cowboy my hubby was hospitalized early on and yet we both say N.O. to any stabs and I used to work in hospital administration and I too have refused flu shots, pneumonia shots and shingles shots…. prefer like you to allow my immune system to work. keep up the well rounded blog posts covering all things, esp as we all begin to age (whatever that number shall be, as aging IS only a number😊).
I am interested to hear about the functional medicine approach. Thank you for including this in your blog. I am in my 60’s and noticing a loss of energy even though I have been active my entire life. I will be following you as you share this info.
I enjoyed this post, Rhoda. My husband doesn’t care for veggies, either, and it is too easy for me to not include as many in my meals—not good. Could you give a few menu examples of how you are adding more veggies to your meals? Do you have breakfast ideas? Now we are also trying to add more protein and that can be a little difficult, too! Thank you.
Hi, Barbara, I’m adding more smoothies in my days, like having one for breakfast with protein powder and added kale or spinach. I also add spinach in a lot of my dishes since it’s one thing that Mark will eat cooked into things like pasta dishes. Adding a handful of spinach is one way to get in extra. He’s so picky though that I am just making a choice to eat more veggies myself as a side dish and he can just skip it. I also add salads as a side for me even if he doesn’t want one. I do need to be more intentional about protein and that’s why I’m adding more protein powder like smoothies. I also do scrambled eggs, cheese and spinach for breakfast with a slice of sourdough bread. I still make my Paleo pancakes too, just one egg and a mashed banana cooked in a skillet with coconut oil. Add blueberries and pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup. These are my typical breakfast options.
Many of us are in your boat. I’m having a knee replacement in March so I can be active again.
I’m on the same journey as you!! My biggest issues are sleep!! Oh how I’d love to sleep a long night!! The other is episodes of afib. Looking for more natural interventions.
Also I have an unrelated question. What color lipstick do you wear? I’m on a hunt lol!!
Hi, Jean, I have a few fave lipsticks: Mac Sakura Rose/ House of Colour (from the UK) Spring Pink/ Clinique Glazed Berry
I agree with Sharon F. that hip replacements these days are very manageable. (And like Sharon F. I wore a body cast daily, and then nightly through high school due to scoliosis. I was in a pioneering group to see if casts would work. It had buckles on it before velcro was used. This was in the late 50s!!!) Your lifting weights and being thin should be helpful in all aspects of your health! I always thought the thyroid gradually decreased its output and that’s why so many of us take thyroid meds. I don’t sleep well at night, but never have, and figured it was a curse on the females in my family…..but maybe not. I do a lot of walking in the hopes that my legs will be tired and I’ll sleep better…..sometimes that’s true. I have arthritis probably everywhere and take Celebrex daily for the inflammation. (I’ve cut out most sugar since it contributes to inflammation.) I refused taking a statin, as well as ALL shots. You look great! I’m so hopeful for the future!!!!
This is such an interesting post for me. I am 65 and feeling so much of what you said. My worst issue is brain fog, really deep brain fog. I don’t even feel like myself anymore. Like you, I haven’t had any Covid shots or flu shots and for the most part eat healthy. I have been thinking about looking for a functional doctor as well so I’ll be interested to see how you make out with yours. Thanks for bringing up this subject!
Love this post! I too am in my 60’s and want to be better at taking care of myself. I have scoliosis but never had to wear a brace. Walking has always helped my back. I sleep really good with occasional nights of no sleeping. I have had a hard time loosing weight. I had a full hysterectomy in my late 30’s and I think that has had a lot to do with not being able shed pounds. I need to be lifting weights… you are inspiring me to do more! Keep up the great posts!
Kudos to you for making this effort to improve your nutrition! We’re the same age, and you’re inspiring me to look more carefully at what I eat. I had a hip replacement two years ago; fortunately, my other hip is fine. I followed my PT instructions faithfully, and my outcome has been wonderful. I wish the same for you!
Thank you for sharing your health journey. I was diagnosed with HBP about five years ago. I thought I was in pretty good health. I have issues with the medication (it makes me light headed and dizzy). So, I follow the DASH diet and it seems to help. I really believe a good functional physician can really help get to the cause of the issues and not just treat the symptoms. Please keep us informed, it really helps.
Thank you for starting this conversation! I’m also 68. I’m not on any medications and my weight is good, but the doctor wanted me to go on a statin for high cholesterol. I refused after reading so many negative things about them. I stay pretty active but I’ve stopped exercising with all the busy stuff with holidays. I know I MUST start exercising again and eat better.
I’m looking forward to following your blog! You look great!
My husband has had hip replacements and is so happy he did. He feels like a new man!
Happy new year!
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you’ll subscribe and stick around.
Rhoda, I am a faithful follower of your blog, but like others found this post to be so interesting and inspiring! I am 10+ years older than you, and have been very fortunate to have good health so far, but with the recent passing of my mother, have been thinking more about healthy living! You are truly blessed to never have had a weight problem! That is a struggle that I always have. I need to be more aware of what I eat and would love to hear about foods you are finding that are beneficial and those that are not! I love bread, so took note of your comment about sourdough bread. I have never heard of “functional” doctors – would love move info about that. Also the apps that you referenced (Bobby approved). I would love to have that if you could share the name(s). This could be a whole new direction for your blog to take – seems there are many of us having the same issues and need help finding our way thru the maze! I must say you look beautiful and very healthy! Keep the info coming!! And. thank you!
Hi, Judy, yes this topic is one that we all deal with, so I thought you all would enjoy this update. I don’t have a problem talking about my issues, we all have them. The app is called that…Bobby Approved, so look it up in the app store and download it. You’ll see it has stores listed and a scanner you can use on bar codes. It helps when making choices, but this one is pretty strict you’ll see. I am definitely eating more sourdough and trying to find good ones that have less preservatives in them.
This was an excellent post. Thank you. Sorry you’re going through hip problems. Thankfully, my hips and knees are good right now. Most of my friends are going through the same as you. I’m 65 and have tried everything for sleep. But I finally found, and I don’t like medicine either, but I needed to sleep….COSTCO has their Kirkland brand of Unisom. Small blue oval pill. I break it in half and take half…that’s the only thing that helps me sleep. I take it about a half an hour before bed and it gets me past that hump of when I would normally wake up, or not get to sleep at all. It’s cheap too. You get two bottles for like $6-7. I feel fine the next day and not groggy like melatonin made me feel. Best wishes!
Hi, Sher, thank you, I do buy those over the counter sleep aids too, blue pills, so it’s probably the same thing. I also break them in half, but I don’t like to take them if I don’t have to. I will definitely take them when I can’t sleep, which is usually when we travel. We both have issues with getting good sleep especially when traveling. I just wish there was a better option for all of us to get better sleep. It’s not fair that it’s so difficult as we get older and we all slept hours when we were younger. Ugh!
Hey Rhoda, thanks for sharing your info about functional medicine. I’ll be 70 in May and have really started feeling my age in the past two years. I’m curious as to whether you’re on HRT. I’m not, as my gynecologist took me off of it in my late 40’s, due to the fact that my mom died of metastatic breast cancer at the age of 52. I’ve always heard that HRT is supposed to help with bone density, muscle loss, and all the other menopause things. I’d love to be able to take it again, if it would really make me feel better and not cause bad side effects.
Hi, Mary, no I’m not on a HRT. I’ve heard that too and would like to find out the right balance.
I went through menopause 10 years ago and was having a tough time of it. My friend told me about a natural creme she used called Restored Balance. You should rub a tiny bit on the inside of your thighs or lower arms each day. It consists of a natural yam extract and really worked for me and several girlfriends who tried it. I believe they have changed their name now but you really need to look it up. I did not want to take HRT because my Mother was on it for a long time and when she had her strokes the doctor took her off of it. Plus I heard they are very hard to come off of once you start taking them. I really believe the Natural yam extract cream got me through this period. I no of nothing that will help the sleep problem except doctor prescribed meds. I deal with this and so do most of my friends.
Thanks Lynne, I will ask my functional med doc about the yam extract and see what she knows. She has me on an Adrenal creme right now that I rub on the bottom of my feet, thighs, etc. I’m not sure what it’s supposed to do, but when I sit down with her again, I’ve got more questions.
Rhoda,
Keep sharing this kind of information. My situation and health are almost identical to yours, although I don’t take any medication except my thyroid meds for Hashimoto’s disease. I take a half Sleep Aid at night and eat a lot of veggies, as my husband is a vegetarian. I’m experiencing a loss of energy and hope it will improve in the spring. I’m focused on aging well and quality of life as I get older. Please keep up the good work and follow up when you have some news!
Many years ago I read a line in a book by Dr Joseph Mercola that said 30 years of blood pressure meds only add 2 weeks to your life. I question why I take them everyday. Also Dr Mark Hyman had a Dr on his podcast that cautioned against knee and hip replacements. Apparently bone on bone is normal and a scare tactic. It’s sad we have to question all the things.
It sure is, Susan, it’s so hard to know what to believe anymore.
Love this post! Thank you for sharing and will live hearing where this journey takes you.
Rhoda, make sure you have an anterior hip replacement. It’s much less invasive than the old form of surgery. I was also bone on bone in my right hip and had a hip replacement four years ago and drove myself to PT five days after my surgery. You’ll be so happy you did it!
HI, Sharon, I’ve already heard that advice, so will definitely do that.