I was pretty fortunate during COVID that I did not have any significant health problems that required attention. But several months into the lockdown, my doctor let me know that I needed some routine lab work so she could refill my blood pressure prescription. It was during that regular check that she discovered my B-12 was low. So low, in fact, she asked me if I was a vegetarian. Although I did cut red meat out of my diet several years ago, I am not a vegetarian. It just got very uncomfortable for me to digest. So I eat pork, chicken, and turkey instead. She asked me to start taking B-12 supplements, and we would recheck my labs in a few weeks.

Let's be honest: left to my own devices, my diet would be one of a toddler with unlimited access to the snack bin. I love snacking. I love chocolate. I love finger foods. So, that combined with the fact that I don't take a daily vitamin, it doesn't surprise me that now that I'm in my mid-40s, my body finally waves the red flag.

Thankfully, after a few weeks of taking B-12, my labs returned to normal levels, so as long as I keep taking supplements, I should be fine long-term. But the whole experience got me thinking more seriously about what I'm eating, food portioning, protein consumptions, and implementing a vitamin routine in my daily life. And for someone who isn't exactly thrilled about change, these were some big steps to consider.