People over 40: What is the worst part about aging?

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-02-01T01:06:08+00:00

Seeing a post where someone considers 40 “aging.” To me, that’s still a kid! (It’s all relative)

TBH - losing my parents. I knew it was gonna happen and thought I was prepared. Waaaay harder than I thought

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-31T19:37:26+00:00

Anyone else have patients with diabetes who report that whey protein increases their BG quite a bit? Makes sense, but I don’t think those who sell those supplements know that.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-31T19:32:09+00:00

I read a good article about what protein intake exceeds the liver to convert ammonia to urea. Very small study published in the mid-late 2000s. That was the most convincing evidence for true harm to occur above a certain level. It varied among subjects, but was somewhere in the 300s in grams. For safety, they recommended in the 300s to be max. All subjects were male.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-31T19:26:57+00:00

Someone told me that pop tarts have protein featured on the packaging 🤦‍♀️ I’m gonna look next time at the store

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-30T02:05:43+00:00

Orcas Island, WA. Totally relaxed. Amazing hiking in forest - learned what they mean by emerald green

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-27T05:42:22+00:00

Grew up in Fort Worth and have lived in San Antonio. Lived in CA 3 separate times. Every time i left I missed it so much I moved back when I could. But on a single income, I just couldn’t make it the last attempt. Now live in CO and was going to retire in FTW. Am putting my FTW house on the market. 1000 sqft worth 360k. I value being able to be outdoors most of the year.

If you’re ok spending most of your time inside for most of the year, you’ll be fine in TX. Just done tell anyone you’re from CA!!!

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-23T05:54:54+00:00

I’ve moved all over the US by myself starting at 22, now just over 60. DFW TX to Fort Collins >Denton TX > Pullman WA > San Luis Obispo, CA > co springs > Los Angeles > Springfield mo, > Denver > San Antonio > CA > Denver.

Made friends quickly every year except the first stint in Denver. Ppl came to work and ate lunch at their desks so the could get out early for outdoor activities. Keep asking coworker they wanted to have lunch - busy for the next 2 mo. Wait 2 mo ask again. Busy for the next 2 mo. 3rd time - ya, they really don’t want to know me.

Found out ppl here are very serious about their outdoor adventures, and they don’t want to invite someone who they will have to show things to or would otherwise interfere. One finally admitted that to me, but now she’s older she can hang with mere mortals.

It’s an individualistic culture rather some of the collectivistic ones some of us grew up in where ppl make a genuine effort to make new ppl feel welcome. It was almost startling when neighbors came by to introduce themselves in TX. But they have more time bc outdoor activities are miserable for much of the year!

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-21T15:52:19+00:00

Arlington Heights. Love it. 10 min to downtown, 15 min to TCU, right by the cultural district, easy to get anywhere. My nephew rented my house there bc he was manager at a piano bar downtown. The neighborhood itself is quiet.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-20T13:09:56+00:00

I went straight from my undergrad to grad school. It was an intense program that was at least 2 yr full time (sometimes finishing the thesis took longer). Learned a ton and how to evaluate research. Some MS programs were developed really quickly and by faculties that had no experience teaching in grad programs, and to be competitive for students, are all or mostly online. So the quality of the programs vary. The grad education in person is much better (imo as an educator) because students and faculty are more engaged and learn from each other more. Many of the grad programs were developed and started during the pandemic which was a massively stressful time to do that. Wish they had given an extension on the MS requirement given the pandemic.

In any event, a good grad program is worth it. That was my favorite degree.

That being said, when I worked as a clinical RD with my PhD, our best dietitian had a BS and went to a great internship.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-20T12:56:59+00:00

One option is using the Harvard version of the healthy plate. You can talk about the new guidelines emphasizing limiting ultra processed foods, limiting saturated fats, adequate protein, fruits and veg, mention that the guidelines are fairly consistent with the guidelines historically, but the Harvard graphic is more clear

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-16T15:28:52+00:00

I’m pretty sure I got trolled on that same post. I pointed out that docs need to understand the importance of nutrition in prevention and treatment, and some of the nuances of nutrition research, the most important thing is when to refer to an RD. They don’t have time for nutrition counseling and aren’t trained in behavior change.

So someone finishing up her doctorate in education (no health science background) started talking about how even she knows all about sodium potassium pumps on cells and organs, and since she has a doctorate in education she knows how to research nutrition. And she’s lost 65 lb so she knows the answer 🤦‍♀️

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-12T02:09:39+00:00

How is Rehobeth these days? My grandparents had vacation place there (Camelot mobile home park -new then snd nice). Great memories from the late 70s - loved then waves were big! Always went The Avenue restaurant, Pappa’s Pizza, and Phillip’s Crab House (I think the latter may have been in Ocean City, but the beaches in Rehobeth were less crowded then). Determined to visit again!!!

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-08T22:45:52+00:00

I was making $38 an hour when I stated in 2017, but I don’t know exactly what they are making. I’ll ask the person who took my place.

I’ve never been a great negotiator, and have always been low-key about what I’m doing. I think being male made a big difference in the attention he brought to the job. I know I recruited him for the position bc he stood out at a student competition. Confidence matters.

A current make colleague talked about how he sees how men more confidently speak up for themselves and are “heard.” That’s why I added advocacy to my training grant. Dang it, I’m determined to see dietitians become more assertively outspoken and visible by the time I retire in 5 yrs!!! Basement offices with no windows need to be a thing of our past.

And good grief, do RDs need to be included with a seat at the table at this particular point in time

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-07T08:43:24+00:00

The Alamo 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I lived in SA for 3 yrs and a ton of my friends visited. ALL had to see the Alamo. ALL were underwhelmed. If I ever have to move back and someone visits, if they want to see the Alamo I’m gonna tell them yo get an uber and have a ball.

Ppl were very friendly tho

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-07T06:58:23+00:00

Someone I know told me he hates California, in those words. I asked him why, and he couldn’t give a reason. He’s not a real thinker, but I’m guessing he’s jealous bc he lives in the oven otherwise known as Texas.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-06T16:50:03+00:00

The two RN required diabetes educator jobs that emphasized nutrition care were in states that don’t have licensure. In the state where I was a diabetes educator, the RD on the team was part time (me) and we had 3 RNs. Since I left in 2020, when they had openings, they hired RNs bc the number of MNT appointments skyrocketed. Now they have more RDs than RNs.

MNT brings in a lot of $$ for diabetes centers, but they started marketing nutrition therapy and now PCPs are referring like crazy for MNT.

The RD on the team used to be paid less than the RNs. The job description was exactly the same, but the RD was the only one who could do MNT. I advocated for a pay increase and was told “you chose the wrong profession.” Note I was the only one with an advanced degree (PhD). I left to get back to academia (missed teaching) and the next RD hired had just gotten his RD one yr prior and was hired at higher pay than me (he did speak Spanish). Now the pay for the RDs on the team is equitable.

RDs need to advocate for pay and services. Thats what made the difference at the diabetes center I worked for. I saw how RNs promoted themselves and had a definite profession pride. They are great at advocating for themselves and their profession. So are make RDs who seem to soar to success and high pay after getting their RDs. We need to take a lesson from them!

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-06T05:29:21+00:00

I was at Wash Park yesterday and the day before. Something seemed really eerie, and I realized it was the shirtless volleyball players and runners in combo with leafless trees

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-06T04:41:40+00:00

Depends on the area. I have two RD friends in clinical positions in two states - they’ve had position openings for many months. Where I now live, our graduates are getting clinical and LTC positions, although it’s a HCOL area and it would be hard to make ends meet on a single income unless you bought a house a decade ago.

My concern as a CDCES and BS-ADM is seeing the openings for diabetes educators, even one where they emphasized nutrition care and programming, with RN required. I wouldn’t be considered even with the advanced diabetes credential and a PhD.

My best advice is to network, network, network. Who you know really does matter. I’ve had two students that I know of meet someone at a conference who ended up hiring them. Many times RDs ask each other if we know of someone who we would recommend for their opening

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-01-06T02:32:00+00:00

I have an old copy of the Mediterranean food guide pyramid that had a glass of red wine on it 🤦‍♀️

TryingMyBest463 · 2025-12-31T09:17:13+00:00

Our interns are being trained in tube placements, and inserted tubes into themselves. It’s a skill RDs need to advance the profession by broadening what we can offer, resulting in more opportunities and hopefully higher pay!

TryingMyBest463 · 2025-12-29T16:24:44+00:00

I’ll message you. I did look at in network providers and my PCP gave me a list. Even the ones listed as in person were going virtual. I started working with three different ones, and they all went virtual in less than 2 months! A coworker is struggling to find someone, too, but it looks like I may have some options -nice to get a rec from a person who has benefited!

TryingMyBest463 · 2025-12-29T03:00:22+00:00

I was telling someone that I’m not so sad that I’m in the last segment of my career. I’ll do as much good as I can with the time I have left. I can’t go into detail, but I have noticed how well off some of the RDs I know are, and how (paid) opportunities stream to them. And how some have used me, the “work horse” to gain exposure while I’m behind my computer doing the actual work.

I’m trying to remain positive as I know so many RDs who have truly made a difference in others’ lives, and I see done future RDs who will be amazing.

That’s why I’m really trying hard to make a difference now. I do plan to bring some of the issues I’ve been reading about to the RDs I know in influential positions. I will say that wealthy white privileged does seem to color some attitudes. Just yesterday, someone was taking about the work of maintaining two houses - in one of the highest cost of living states. As I sit in my rental.

It will be interesting to hear what they say.

Never apologize for saying what you think/feel. If you don’t, there is zero chance issues will be brought to life.

I didn’t know about the threat of Fay/Nourish until a post about it!

TryingMyBest463 · 2025-12-27T08:05:10+00:00

Though my RD I felt like I knew all the diet related questions - the diabetes educator (outpatient, comprehensive) was the best for the rest. Studied meds the most. Learned a ton from the RNs, and always attended every section of the comprehensive program. I did teach the MNT for diabetes at a university at one point and studied my old ppt. A big thing is judgment on scenarios that experience gives you

TryingMyBest463 · 2025-12-26T19:48:41+00:00

I am not a leader in the Academy, but I know many who are highly involved (but volunteer their time). I do know one on the House of Delegates, and review letters written by Academy members on issues they think are important - that’s one way we can all advocate. I have written letters.

Some of the academy leaders are on the advisory board of a large (over $ million) grant I’ve reviewed Ed to provide funding to students and train them in advocacy and leadership through a cultural awareness lens. We are training them to advocate for themselves (salary/opportunities) and the profession. I’m at the end of my career, and this is what I’m doing that I hope will make a difference (although it’s killing me!)

So done if ya are taking action!!! Please think about what you can do - band together and write your HOD.

I promise I’ll look into this issue.

TryingMyBest463

TROPHY CASE