I’ve been under tremendous stress lately, so he was checking up on me.
While talking to his nurse, she asked about medications. I told her I don’t take any.
She asked my age. I said, “67.”

She checked my weight and blood pressure: 228 lbs — 120/80.
She measured my height: 6'2"

Then she asked about my diet, exercise, etc. So, I told her:

Diet:
No sugar, salt, dairy, bread, pasta, baked goods, or processed food. I stick to protein (meat, fish, poultry), fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and unsalted mixed nuts. Two cups of coffee in the morning, and water all day — nothing else (no soft drinks, etc). The only salt I consume is in the organic peanut butter I refuse to live without. I don’t eat breakfast.

Exercise:
I lift weights four days a week, hike regularly, and practice martial arts pretty much daily.

I read my Bible every day and pray a lot.

She said, “That explains why you’re not on medication at 67 years old.”

To be clear, I’m fine with taking medication if I can’t address a health issue through changes to my lifestyle, diet, etc. But I always try that first. Only if that fails will I accept medication.

My cholesterol is an example. Even with my current diet and lifestyle, my cholesterol remains high. So, I agreed to a very low dose of cholesterol medication to help manage it.

Too many people in our society have become walking medicine cabinets. We can — and must — do better.