Joe is forty-nine years old. He is a city bus driver. He likes his job; he enjoys driving people around town. Joe’s annual physical is in two days. He has scheduled an appointment with his doctor. He is nervous because he knows he has not been doing a good job to stay healthy. He doesn’t know what Dr. Salazar will tell him. Two days later, Joe arrives at the doctor’s office. The nurse takes Joe’s weight, blood pressure, and temperature. She tells Joe that the doctor will come in to see him shortly. After a few minutes, Dr. Salazar enters the room. She examines Joe and checks his chart.

Dr. Salazar: OK Joe, there is nothing serious to worry about right now, but I am concerned about your overall health.

Joe: Really! Why?

Dr. Salazar: You’ve gained a lot of weight since your last visit. You’ve gained twenty pounds.

Joe: Yeah, I know! I am not surprised. I know I’ve gained weight, but twenty pounds . . . that’s a lot! I am pretty sure I know what the problem is. I haven’t been eating healthy for some time now, and I haven’t been to the gym in a long time either.

Dr. Salazar: So you know that you haven’t been eating well. Tell me about your diet.

Joe: When I am off work, I shop for fresh foods, vegetables, and fish, and I make a good dinner, but on my work days, I just grab whatever I find during the day and when I get home in the evening, I sit in front of the TV and I eat a lot of snacks. Sometimes, I finish a whole bag of chips on the spot.

Dr. Salazar: Ok, Joe! I am glad you know what you are doing wrong. You will need to change your diet to include healthier foods. Try eating more vegetables and fruits and cut down on the snacks. Also, you don’t have to go to the gym to exercise. Walking around the neighborhood for half an hour three or four times a week could be a good start. Your bloodwork shows that your cholesterol and blood sugar are going up. Unless you change your habit, I will have to prescribe some pills next time I see you.

Joe: Oh, no! I don’t like that. I don’t want to start taking pills. I will do a better job, doctor! I promise.