Best Life Challenge: The Best of Barbara's Blog

You know, there are many people my age—50—and even younger that go to the doctor regularly. They have all kinds of ailments. I am sad for them. Is this the age that your body starts wearing out? I hope it's not too late for me. Just look at Bob Greene! He looks so young and I'm only a year older.

I have had a taste of going to the doctor many times in the last two weeks and it really sucks. First of all, I fell out of a moving car. It would take too long to explain how, but I managed to crack two ribs and break a toe. Guess what? There is NOTHING you can do for cracked ribs and a broken toe. Every time I would move or breathe it hurt. Not great for exercising! Thank goodness I have a pretty nice stationery bike, because I have been riding it a lot lately. I cannot get my toe into a sneaker yet so I have to ride it barefoot.

Next, I have been walking barefoot on the treadmill. It can be done. I feel like a big, fat cow right now, though. I just want to get off of this plateau. Do I even have a metabolism? Do any of you feel the same way out there? It is so frustrating.

My weight is still the same—219–224. One week it will be 219 and I will get very hopeful. The next week it is 224. The next day it will be 222, etc., etc., etc. It is so amazing how you can look at that number and it can make your day start out good or bad.

Is there a doctor in the house that can explain the plateau to me? Is it the smoking? No matter what, quitting smoking was the best thing I could have done for my health. Thank you Bob Greene for making me understand that!

Okay, next I have been visiting the gastroenterologist. I call him the fart doctor. Can you imagine someone going to school to study that? I recently was diagnosed with diverticulosis. A lot of people over 40 have that. I also found out I have a hiatal hernia. A lot of people have that, too.

Since I have never eaten fiber or anything good for me, I have had some symptoms of excessive gas. Now, isn't that pleasant? So I had to go and get an EGD test, which means I had a scope down my throat looking at my stomach. It came out okay. Next I have a gallbladder sonogram scheduled. And then, finally, the epitome of happiness—the colonoscopy.

If you are reading this and you are in your 20s or 30s or even 40s, start eating healthy now. It makes you feel good and your body will work better. You may not have to go through all these crazy tests.

I am trying to eat healthy. Vegetables are trying to fight with me, though. My body is probably in shock, it's used to the junk food. I'm going to fight back though. This is NOT a diet, this is a lifestyle and I'm not giving up the good stuff.

Poor Joe. He has to live with my stomach problems when he comes to visit me. And you know everyone over the age of 50 is supposed to get a colonoscopy. He had one, he says it's really not that bad. I guess the preparing for it is the bad part. Gee, maybe I will lose a pound that way! I'm losing it, aren't I?

I refuse to get old though! I love to do a lot of fun things like dance and sing and root for my favorite football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. I love to spend time with my kids. I love to travel with Joe. I have a lot of things left to do that are fun. Hey, I'm only 50, that number is not going to get the best of me!

Live your best life!

Barbara