One of the reasons I decided to write this blog was to inform others of some of the reasons I believe I am fit enough to climb Kilimanjaro and do things similarly adventurous at my age. I am nothing special. I am an average guy that was lucky enough to get a wake up call before my health deteriorated to a point where I needed pharmaceuticals. If you are at or near 50, you should consider what I say carefully.
Three years ago I would not have been able to even consider climbing a mountain of this magnitude. I was overweight, lethargic and knew something was wrong, but did not know what. It was hard to put my finger on it and I assumed I was just getting old. Then Dr. T (of Iron Tribe in Naples) suggested I might be gluten intolerant. I had a blood test and found that my body treats modern wheat as if it were an infectious agent. I actually produce antibodies to about 7 proteins in the gluten family. I stopped eating gluten and started feeling a lot better. Over the next year, due to effort and a restricted diet and I lost more than 40 pounds.
Giving up wheat is not an easy task. Modern food producers put it in nearly all processed food. I had to give up many of my favorite foods and I was mad! Literally, I got angry every time I went grocery shopping. Eventually though, I accepted the requirements of the condition and realized it was actually a blessing. This condition forced me to give up nearly all junk foods and really focus on what I eat. I have to read every label and ask every waiter or waitress about ingredients. It is eye opening what is in our modern food supply. My diet now consists mostly of lean protein and fresh vegetables. Please realize as you read this that I am far from perfect. I definitely eat unhealthy occasionally. I just limit how often I do. I do not think you should give up everything you enjoy, but restrict the unhealthy choices to special occasions. You also will find a lot of new foods you enjoy. I used to hate things like kale and beets. I have a kale smoothie almost every morning now. I get beet juice whenever I am in a juice bar. When it has been a while since I have had them, I crave them.
I can't stress enough that a healthy diet and exercise really helps. 3 years ago, my blood work was showing borderline cholesterol (the bad kind was high and the good kind was low). My blood sugar was always in the range that concerned the doctor. I was headed down the path towards diabetes. However, I just had my annual physical last week and the doctor gave me an A+. He said I was as fit as I could be at 50. He also said I was the poster boy for healthy living.
This healthy eating philosophy has worked for me. It is a strong contributing factor towards allowing me to take this grand adventure at 50 years old. I plan to stay healthy and active until I'm 100. I may not make it but if I don't, I want to die doing something adventurous and not in a hospital because of my food and exercise choices.
So I am not going to lecture you but just state this simple fact: If you want to remain active and healthy while living a long life you need to eat healthy and exercise. I hope my trip is an inspiration to everyone to make small changes towards a more healthy lifestyle. Life is just more fun when you do.
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