Jan 22, 2004

A second chance
CNN’s “New You Resolution” features Almaden’s Dave Peck

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Callout: “You want quick, feel-good food sometimes,” he admits. “It may say low fat, but you’re not really paying attention to what’s in it.”

When Almaden’s David Peck applied to be a participant on CNN's “New You Resolution” program while on a business trip, he knew if selected, it would be the impetus he would need to get back on a healthy track. While surprised that he had been chosen, even more surprising were the results of a stress test and echocardiogram required by the program, which revealed a potentially life-threatening health risk—one that has given him a second lease on life.

In Oct., Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s medical correspondent, and the CNN Medical Unit solicited volunteers on American Morning and CNN.com to participate in an intensive reevaluation of their health and exercise habits for their upcoming segment, “New You Resolution.” Peck and four others were selected from more than 40,000 applicants nationwide to participate in the eight-week program designed to help people explore ways to improve their health and possibly live longer by making changes to their diets and lifestyles. Their progress will be tracked publicly during the televised study through Feb.

Peck’s test results suggested a lack of blood flow to his heart—a recipe in the making for a future heart attack. Considering the fact that his brother had a triple bypass and his father died of a heart attack at age 49, 43-year-old Peck, although troubled about the findings, hopes to beat his genetic odds and improve his health while there’s still time. It’s where he wants his family similarities to end. “It put everything in perspective and has given me a new lease on life so I want to respect it,” he says. “This has given me the green light to push things [awareness and prevention] harder.”

Fortunately, an angiogram performed by Peck’s cardiologist last Wednesday revealed no blockage. “The results of the stress test were what they call a false positive,” said a relieved Peck. “Under stress, that part of my heart tends to be a little bit lazy and that’s why it registered positive, but it’s nothing to be worried about.”

According to Carol Kinstle, director of CNN’s medical news coverage, the participants, although not in any immediate danger, all exhibited habits that could lead to serious health problems in the coming years. “We believe these participants and their health histories are like those of many of our viewers,” she says. “Our goal is to help them change their habits in a way that suits their lives and that they can reasonably accomplish.”

Over the coming weeks, each segment of the show will focus on different aspects of the participant’s programs, featuring guest nutritional and fitness experts who perform medical check-ups and guide them through the proper changes to their diets and exercise routines.

“We hope to inspire our viewers to take charge of their diets and lifestyles,” Gupta says. “This is a wake-up call for people who don’t have the obvious signs of problems with their health. If we can get people to get themselves checked out before serious problems arise, then this will be a huge success.”

For Peck, it has been a serious wake-up call. A heavy business traveler burdened with compromised eating habits and faced with the potential for a heart attack, he confesses that staying healthy while on the road remains his biggest challenge. His job as head of sales for Silicon Valley start-up, Guided Choice, a financial services company that provides on-line investment advice to people with 401k plans, keeps him away from home several days every month. Home-cooked meals and backyard games with his family are often replaced with frequent flying, fatty foods and high-stress corporate meetings.

A self-proclaimed “grazer,” Peck admits that it will be hard to break the pattern of snacking on convenience foods such as popcorn, saltines, vanilla wafers and beef jerky while home watching television with his wife and two children. “You want quick, feel-good food sometimes,” he admits. “It may say low fat, but you’re not really paying attention to what’s in it.”

Although looking for ways to incorporate more heart-healthy food and activities into his life, Peck says the changes are difficult and the sacrifices many, but staying alive for his wife Amy and their two children, Taylor and Katie keeps him inspired. He is now very conscious of what he eats—paying particular attention to reducing portion sizes. He’s even gotten used to opting for fish when he eats out with his wife, but still exhibits “plate envy” over her burger.

Peck, like many others is taking steps in the right direction. Three times a week, he has headed to Almaden Valley Athletic Club to lift weights and do aerobics with workout partner Steve Hunt. In an effort to keep motivated, the two have an agreement that if one misses a session, the other pays $50.00. “It’s like missing a personal training session,” Peck says, but he admits that sticking to a routine is hard, especially on the road, and that exercise alone won't balance out his bad eating habits.

“I felt good about the way we were working out,” he added. “But my diet and other parts of my life were missing something. I wanted to bring it all together and get the family involved too. It’s good for the kids too, because they’ll learn how important it is to eat right.”

Swimming and Pilates have also been added to the Peck family’s schedule. Hired by CNN to design a de-stress program during a recent taping was Western Athletic Club Pilates Director Elizabeth Larkam. “We’re using exercises with cardio-vascular training to improve his circulation and heart strength,” she says. “And incorporating deep breathing with stretching can have a relaxing effect. Getting his family involved will add more reinforcement to the program.”

Peck now keeps a journal—recommended by experts as a valuable tool in setting goals and implementing change. He admits it gives him a better glimpse into his habits and keeps him on track. “It tends to cut your eating and actually motivates you,” he says. “It’s like being in sales actually. You’re responsible for your performance. It’s a way to rate yourself.”

Peck encourages anyone with a family history of heart disease to schedule a check-up with his or her cardiologist to at least eliminate any concern. “I feel great now,” he says. “All these worries that I had are now non-existent. I have all these ways to change my life and I want to do that so I have the best possible chance of being around for my kids and seeing their kids graduate from high school.”

“New You Resolution,” debuted on American Morning on Monday, Jan. 5. Throughout the following weeks, updated segments tracking Peck and the other participants will air on American Morning every Tuesday at 7:50 a.m. until Feb. 24. CNN Headline News will also air Gupta’s reports each Tuesday.

CNN is offering viewers opportunities to interact with the program, such as sending notes of congratulations or advice to Peck and the other participants. CNN also will include tips and tools for viewers to improve their own health and lifestyles. Resources such as diet calculators, body/mass charts, a downloadable health journal and health e-mail alerts are available at CNN.com/Resolution. Currently, viewers can meet the participants at CNN.com/HEALTH.