Hi, I’m Frank, from Atlanta, Georgia. I’m 49, going on 50. I’ve been married for 22 years, and I have 2 kids. Since I’ve been married, I’ve owned my own construction business, raised my two children, and pretty much enjoyed my life. I never really watched what I ate, and I was aware that over the years I had gained a few pounds. But it never seemed like a big deal. If my belt was too tight, I’d just loosen it a notch. If my pants got too small, I’d buy another pair. I never saw much reason to change anything. In the last year though, I started noticing a few things. I was getting lazier. I couldn’t move as fast as I used to or play around with my kids like before. I was breathing heavier. Then when I had a checkup, I found my cholesterol and blood pressure had both risen. My doctor explained that they were both within the normal range, but towards the upper end. He said I wasn’t in any danger now, but I should watch what I eat and get some more exercise, or else I’d continue feeling tired and getting out of breath too fast. He mentioned something else I hadn’t thought about: if I wasn’t careful, my cholesterol could build up slowly and clog my arteries without me noticing, leaving me at risk for a heart attack without much warning. He also said that my blood pressure and energy level could have an effect on my love life. I reminded him that I was happily married and my love life was fine. He asked, half joking, if my wife thought the same. I said, come to think of it …
