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What does one normally associate with growing older? Greying hair, a slower metabolism and muscles that ache more often than before are some of the most cited signs. Increased sensitivity to caffeine or having "less energy" compared to a decade ago are frequently mentioned, too. What I've also noticed is that growing older is a numbers game because of the figures (not just weight) one must manage. Image by Nguyễn Hiệp on Unsplash Tracking your health I'm not a doctor, but I'll be the first to recommend getting an annual health screening - a blood test and blood pressure check at the very least. This is when the health-related numbers first appear. It's probably also the reason why people don't want to get screened in the first place. The initial figures you'll encounter are blood pressure readings, followed by cholesterol levels. LDL is bad, HDL is good. I'm told to aim for a figure of 2.6 or lower. At my last blood test, I scored 2.73 - an improvement over the 3.16 I clocked two months earlier. However, while I quietly cheered, my GP gently chided me, reminding me to continue exercising and watching my diet. If not, she would start recommending statins again. I already take medication for my blood pressure and that's for life. I've no wish to add cholesterol meds to that list. And yes, once you're on it, you're on it forever. Man, the Ministry of Health really wants to nip any problems in the bud. After all, a healthy population makes for a stronger nation. Image: Bagoes Ilhamy on Unsplash A facepalm-worthy discovery The truth emerges when your blood gets drawn and tested. Genetics is a convenient excuse, but you can't hide the results of poor food choices and a lack of exercise. This year, I was told that the figures showed my liver was slightly inflamed. "You have what's called a fatty liver," said my doctor. To confirm this, she sent me for an abdominal ultrasound. Apart from my liver, the radiologist also checked organs such as the pancreas, kidneys and gall bladder. The process was not uncomfortable. I was in a room that was dimly lit by a soft light. The gel used was warm. Interestingly, though, the process seemed akin to a yoga session because while lying down, I had to turn left or right and keep one arm raised. While this was happening, the radiologist continually instructed me to take deep breaths and hold them. I wanted to joke about wearing figure-hugging yoga pants and a sports bra for this procedure but ultimately decided against it. This was my first time meeting this radiologist and I had no idea if she would tolerate such attempts at humour. One must be careful - these days, seemingly innocuous (and corny) jokes can be deemed offensive. You never know. Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash I didn't want to emerge from the procedure and find policemen waiting to arrest me. The Neighbourhood Police Centre is very near the polyclinic. That's why I also avoided cracking any jokes after the ultrasound was over. There I was, my back turned to the radiologist, using paper towels to clean up the blue goo covering my midsection, before buttoning up my shirt and leaving the room. For some reason, I was also trying not to look embarrassed. I don't know why I was feeling guilty about the whole thing. It was just as well, for when I told my colleagues about this, they had a good snigger and said something about me wisely avoiding a harassment complaint. On a serious note, the radiologist and my doctor told me abdominal ultrasounds have become part of standard screening procedures because fatty liver has become common here. So, not surprisingly, while the rest of my organs were normal, I do have a fatty liver. Sigh. Photo by James Kern on Unsplash On a positive note... I'm slowly winning the battle of the bulge, having shed 5kg over the past two months. But the process is slow. The older you are, the slower your metabolism is. Eat a bit too much junk food and you'll once again gain weight. Throw in lower muscle mass and you end up with the so-called "dad bod". I've realised long ago that fitness is an ongoing journey with ups and downs. It's always a work in progress - even if you reach your target weight (and BMI) and fitness goals (running a marathon, etc.), the journey never ends. That, I feel, is the actual challenge. To keep going even after achieving your goals. Or in my case, to keep trying to shed weight to eliminate and prevent future occurrences of the "foie gras" issue. Acceptance Rather than rejecting the annual health screening process, I've learnt to accept that it's part of growing old. I might grumble, but as one of my friends said, it's better to catch any conditions or illnesses now and be able to do something about it. Besides, numbers will always be part of our lives. Grades when we were students, salaries, savings and investments when we entered the workforce, and markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels as we get older. Don't be afraid of getting a health screening. Ignorance is bliss, but knowing is infinitely better than not knowing. Your loved ones will be all the happier for it. – Jeremy Main image by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash