Jim McKiernan: I shared recently that a very dear friend used to stop by my office years ago and I would always ask how she was, and she would say, “I have everything I want because I have my health.”

As a younger person, that thought really didn’t have much meaning. However, as I approach double nickels, it becomes more important.

The indications I wasn’t in good shape were subtle. Shoveling snow really winded me for instance; then a co-worker commented more men die from snow shoveling than any other activity …

Or I couldn’t lift as much around the house. That 50-pound bag of ice-melt was tough to handle, as was putting the garbage can in the back of the truck. I’m not sure when the thought to make a change hit me between the eyes but I knew it was time for a change.

There is the avoidance of going to the doctor even though I need to have a heart valve checked religiously.

Let’s face it, I’m the typical, middle-aged American male who loves a good steak, lots of sauces on my food and loves a good beer. I have become the person that I used to look at as a younger man and say to myself, that dude is going to die early.

Of course the kids leave the nest and then things get quiet at home. The need to provide for the family begins to subside. That constant drive to make sure they have what they need drops significantly as they grow into their own careers. Let’s face it, I’ve been working my butt off the last 30 years for all of us, now I can focus on us as a couple.

I can go on and on with reasons that my weight was up to 230 and all my numbers were off the charts and my guess is there are a lot of us in the same boat. Let’s face it, we, as Americans, can have pretty much anything we want to eat at any time and we are hit with food shows on TV all of the time. “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” is my favorite.

So in October I began to exercise. Yes, I had vowed each year to get healthy. But this year was different. This year I had a doc who actually seemed to care. Her name is Jane Hoover and I have to say, it’s nice to know that your doc will go above and beyond to help you get healthy.

And honestly, the next generation is here. We have a grandson. So there is a whole new set of skills to impart in this new mind, Skills that only a grandfather can teach.

So here comes the baseline in full detail. I agreed to provide these numbers but refused to post the venerable before-and-after photo. For one thing, I’m better behind the camera then in front of it.

Now a few words from Jane, my healthcare provider:

Jane Hoover: “I had the pleasure of meeting Jim McKiernan when he came to see me as a patient at Family Health Center in October 2016. During his visit we did some screening labwork. His numbers came back similar to many other patients that I see in my office. He was pre-diabetic and his triglycerides were too high to measure his LDL cholesterol. We discussed how that put him at significant risk to have a heart attack or a stroke in the next 10 years. Unlike most of my patients, this motivated him to make some drastic changes. He started working out at the gym after work.

Three months later we repeated his labs. He was able to cut his triglycerides in half with the exercise. However, his blood sugars did not budge. I recommended adding a test called an HsCRP which checks for inflammation. It is a screening test for risk of cardiovascular disease. It was also elevated increasing his risk further.

I wrote to Jim asking if he would be willing to promote a healthy lifestyle in Sandpoint. We have so much going on here but is it sometimes difficult to get the word out. Many health care providers and community volunteers are working diligently to improve the health of Bonner County. There is a trails program through Kaniksu Land Trust and Sandpoint Parks and Rec. It provides information on the available trails in the area, level of difficulty and whether they are dog friendly or not. Check out their websites at kaniksu.org. There are some walking groups established with walking coaches and the city has agreed to keep Sand Creek, Sandpoint City Beach and Travers Park plowed for the winter. Panhandle Health Department under its Bonner County Coalition for Health or BCCH is working on healthy foods. Check out the “Change for Change” program at Super 1 Foods. You can purchase healthy foods at a reduced price and get rewarded with a coupon for doing so. They also have a community resource website at sandpointcommunityresource.com.

I last met Jim and his wife in my office to talk about nutrition recently. He is really making changes. He is increasing his exercise at the gym and getting out and staying more active. He has significantly changed his diet. He is losing weight. I am so proud of him. It makes my job worthwhile. I cannot wait to repeat his labwork in three months.

Most of the illnesses I see in my office are related to lifestyle. I just read that if we had a terrorist group killing as many people a day as our American diet that we would be up in arms. If you are one of the people smoking, eating processed foods, meat lover’s pizza, macaroni and cheese, processed cereal, hamburgers and fries, eggs Benedict, pop and energy drinks then you truly are killing yourself. Look at the statistics. You may not survive your first heart attack and you certainly won’t feel your best.

Many patients come in year after year for their physical and we talk about changing how they eat and how they move. Most of them get the same talk every year without making any changes. I sometimes feel that I care more about their health than they do. I keep adding more medication to their regime. Medications are costly and have side effects. There are no bad side effects to fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, water and exercie. Jim and I are hoping that his journey toward health will inspire others. If he can work full time and still take good care of himself then so can you.

If this story sounds like you then there is no better time than today to save your own life.

Your body and this earth are gifts. Let’s improve the health care system one person at a time by taking charge of yourself. If everyone was healthier we could spend our tax dollars in happier ways instead of on medication, illness, surgery and disability. Come on Bonner County: We can do it.

As you can see, Jane really does care. So here is my question to you. What motivates you to live. Could it be family? A grandson? Spending your money now so your kids don’t get it? Find that motivation and use it.

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(BY THE NUMBERS)

1/3/2017

Weight - 230

C-reactive Protein test - 3.24 (Anything above a 3 is considered high. I’m still not sure what this test does but it has something to do with the potential inflammation in your veins and can be an indicator of potential heart disease.

A1C - 6.2 (You are considered diabetic above 6.4) Not a good number.

LDL Cholesterol - 130 (Still a bit high, this is the bad stuff)

Total cholesterol - 235 (Considering I take a 40mg Lipitor each day, this isn’t good)

HDL cholesterol - 52 (This is the good stuff and it should be above 39.

Triglycerides - 262 (The top of acceptable range is 149, this isn’t good)

Glucose serum - 137 (The acceptable range is 65-99 so this isn’t good either)