Mind Over Matter: How Getting Older WILL Affect You Physically

by Rochelle Griffin

What I’m going to say may shock you…as it took me by surprise myself. Are you ready?

We are all getting older.

There, I said it. Yep, we are. I recently had to admit that although I may feel in my 30’s, my body isn’t and I have to monitor myself differently. Let me explain…

About a month ago, I badly sprained my ankle resulting in no workouts for 4 weeks. As a self-proclaimed emotional eater, I can tell you that fitness and healthy nutrition go hand-in-hand for me. Take away my fitness…well, let’s just say that my eating during that month wasn’t exactly stellar.

At the same time, I became aware that I was having a really hard time relaxing. I was constantly feeling stressed, even when nothing was going on. I blamed it on our recent move as we are STILL unpacking.

Two weeks after my sprain, I went into the Emergency Physician Clinic on a Saturday because I was still in pain. I needed to be sure that I wasn’t dealing with a fracture. Turns out that I wasn’t, but my blood pressure was high.

Say what?!?!?! I chalked it up to a fluke and forgot about it.

Two weeks later, I was in the grocery store with my family. My son always likes to do the automatic blood pressure machine that is by the pharmacy, so I decided to do it myself. Low and behold…my blood pressure was high again! Ok, it had my attention. I bought a home machine on the spot.

The next morning (last Monday) I made an appointment to see my physician that very day. I was starting to put two and two together. That feeling that had been plaguing me…the inability to relax…may have had nothing to do with my stress level but with my blood pressure level.

It was no surprise when it was high at my appointment as well. Hypertension plagues my family, so my doc shrugged her shoulders and said “Looks like genetics has kicked in” because other risk factors didn’t pertain to me. Before she put me on medication, she wanted blood work first. Plus she wanted me to monitor my blood pressure for a week.

OK, so this past week I’ve been monitoring my pressure. Also this past week, I’ve been back to exercising again, have been drinking tons of water, limiting caffeine, completely cut out alcohol, and eating clean.

Low and behold, my blood pressure has steadily decreased and has been normal for the past 5 days. Also, that “unable to relax” feeling has disappeared.

My follow up appointment is later today. My doctor is anticipating starting me on medication. She doesn’t know it at this moment, but she won’t have to.

Things that never affected my body systems in the past…sodium, alcohol, eating poorly… do adversely affect me physically now. It was an eye-opening moment for me. Gone are the days of working out & eating well to look good and fit into my jeans. Here are the days of working out & eating well to truly be healthy…otherwise I’m going to end up on medication.

If you are experiencing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar, I strongly suggest that you speak to your doctor to see if he/she will allow you a trial period of trying to get it under control with nutrition & exercise before turning to medication. Although I’ve always “known” that proper diet and working out could control these ailments, for the first time in my life, I personally now “KNOW.”

To Living Your Best Life,

Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P

Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.

She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.

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