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CNN Sunday Morning
Weekend House Call
Aired February 29, 2004 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well good morning and welcome to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. We're talking New Year's resolution today. Where do you stand? Well, many of us started this year with a list of promises but experts say by week three about 25 percent of them were broken.
Well, here at CNN we had our own resolution. A team of producers and cameras followed five fabulous people for the first eight weeks of the year as they dedicated themselves to improving their health. Let's take a look back.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHRYN BURKHOLDER, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: In an hour I could probably smoke ten cigarettes.
GUPTA (voice-over): Kathryn puffed a pack a day.
BURKHOLDER: Doesn't it look like fun? Don't you want to do it, too?
GUPTA: But on January 1, she quit -- cold turkey. Her biggest fear, packing on the pounds.
BURKHOLDER: I fully expect to gain ten pounds. I don't think there's a way around it.
GUPTA: Quitting isn't easy.
BURKHOLDER: It's been really annoying.
GUPTA: But, Kathryn stuck with her "New You" resolution and plans to continue. She, exercises, eats right, sees a counselor, and takes medication prescribed by her doctor. Now, 55 days without a cigarette. At a pack a day that adds up to 1,100 she has gone without.
BURKHOLDER: I'm kind of amazed I have been able to make it this long and not smoke one single cigarette.
GUPTA: She hasn't gained any weight, but a new challenge.
BURKHOLDER: I think a lot more about eating than I did before I quit smoking.
GUPTA: Tori wasn't sure her sister Kim would survive the "New You."
TORI EVERETT, KIM'S SISTER: Working two jobs and working out.
GUPTA: But Kim proved her wrong.
T. EVERETT: And I'm surprised -- pleasantly surprised.
GUPTA: Her ring is slippin', her clothes are fittin', and Kim is flippin'.
KIMBERLEY EVERETT, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: Eight inches, 10 pounds and four percent body fat.
GUPTA: Pounds were shed as were tears. She did it for herself, her family...
K. EVERETT: I thank God for you. Happy Birthday. Love always, Kim and Tori.
GUPTA: ...and especially after dad's scare last year.
K. EVERETT: Just think -- you know, if he didn't survive the heart attack he wouldn't have been at the birthday party.
GUPTA: Now, Kim's providing a good example.
T. EVERETT: She's encouraged the whole family to eat healthier, at least try
GUPTA: Daiquiris during TV time has been replaced.
T. EVERETT: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) instead of alcohol, very good!
PAM KIRKBRIDE, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: Let's go work out.
GUPTA: For new parents Pam and Michael Kirkbride, time was the ultimate challenge of their "New You" resolution.
MICHAEL KIRKBRIDE, NEW YOUR PARTICIPANT: They're going to help you find time to go to the gym and eat well? Bring it on.
GUPTA: And, the Kirkbrides did. They increased their strength and energy levels and lost a total of 27 pounds combined.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Go team Kirkbride. Woo!
GUPTA: They say teamwork has been the key to it all.
P. KIRKBRIDE: We're this efficient exercising, parenting machine.
GUPTA: They take turns going to the gym.
P. KIRKBRIDE: OK, all right, that's enough.
GUPTA: Or just take baby Olivia on their workouts. They've been eating better.
M. KIRKBRIDE: The eating healthy doesn't take any more or less time. It's just choosing better.
GUPTA: And now they feel better.
P. KIRKBRIDE: You're sexier, buddy.
DAVID PECK, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: Yeah, I'm cheating.
GUPTA: In the beginning David's plan, in his words, were simple.
PECK: I want the stress to go down, the energy to go up, and lose weight.
GUPTA: He didn't know "New You" would be a catalyst for an even bigger change: His job.
PECK: It's an opportunity to stop traveling so much and focus in a little more on the kids and being around a lot more.
I'm happy to get out of here.
GUPTA: His plan was a huge success. Shaving down the weight and stress, his energy has skyrocketed. There's one persistent hitch.
PECK: Hunger pains.
GUPTA: But that's not helping friends from benefiting the new Dave.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Work ongoing my heart to make sure I'm around for as long as Dave's going to be.
PECK: I'm feeling great. I actually feel very fortunate that I got to be a part of this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: Our "New You" eight week challenge has ended, and here to tell us how their lives changed is our five participants. First, let's go around the couch and introduce all of you to them once again.
Kimberly Everett is from Atlanta; David Peck is from San Jose, California; Kathryn Burkholder is from Atlanta, as well; and Pam and Michael Kirkbride are from New York City.
Let's start with a quick question for all of you. It's been two months, you guys did very well, you all stuck with the plans, but I'm sure there are ups and downs for all of you, as well. How about you, Kimberly, what were the ups and downs for you.
EVERETT: Ups and downs. Um, well obviously we all know I missed the workout session with Melinda, so...
GUPTA: We kept reminding everybody of that. EVERETT: Yes, so I guess that was a down. And an up I think was losing ten pounds.
GUPTA: Ten pounds, eight inches, two months.
EVERETT: Yep.
GUPTA: I think that's an inspiration for a lot of people.
EVERETT: Yeah.
GUPTA: David what about you?
PECK: Well, I'd say the downs were going out to a restaurant, figuring out what to eat. I remember I went out for Chinese and had no idea at that point, it was early on, and kind of overate a little bit, but the help with the nutritionist helped me correct what I was...
GUPTA: Were you surprised at the 12 pounds?
PECK: Yeah. Actually I -- actually I was -- my goals were a little loftier early on, but as I realized, you don't lose that much weight that quick, so....
GUPTA: Six pounds a month, a lot of people I've talked to have been pretty impressed bid that.
PECK: Yeah,
GUPTA: Pretty good.
How about you Katherine?
BURKHOLDER: Um, the up is that I'm not smoking and haven't smoked at all. So that's good. The down would be that the first two weeks you just like you feel sick, almost like you have a cold or something. The rest of the time I'm not my usual happy self.
GUPTA: Are you getting out more? You spending more time with your friends as a result or?
BURKHOLDER: I have been going out a good bit and doing a lot of things with my friends. So, that's been nice, and that was different from times before when I quit.
GUPTA: Good. We'll get a lot more on that, as well.
Pam and Michael.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Downs were probably the hunger pains midway. We were definitely hungry for a good week and a half -- still fighting through that. Ups: I mean, Michael lost 20 pounds, you know, it's great, I lost seven. And the fact that we're just doing something active every day.
GUPTA: Twenty pounds in two months, does that -- I mean, you must feel like a different guy.
M. KIRKBRIDE: I feel great. It's an indicator of just how bad it was before, as well as how good it is now.
GUPTA: Well, I got to say and everyone's commented on this, you guys all look very relaxed and very, very fit. We're going to talk more about that, as well. But, lots of people have been participating at home as well, as you know. They've been sending in e-mails, words of encouragement. Lots of e-mails. Let's take a look at one of them for Team Kirkbride.
Jane in Massachusetts asking: "My husband and I have a beautiful 9-month-old son, we both work full-time," sound familiar? "we just moved into a new home. It sounds like you guys are really managing to get the exercise in on top of your hectic schedules. I greatly admire that. How do you do it?"
So, here we have this television program where you guys have done it, obviously. But, what's your advice for people at home?
M. KIRKBRIDE: We're in a very similar situation, and we've just -- I mean, across the board, we've just become much more efficient. For example, when one of us is putting Olivia to sleep, the other one will be going to the gym or doing exercising, and we've just maximized every available moment in a way that we never did before.
GUPTA: Biggest motivator, Pam?
P. KIRKBRIDE: Michael. Definitely.
GUPTA: And, that's a very good lesson for couples out there who are watching. We're going to hear a lot more from you, as well. We're also going to get more of the e-mails. All that's coming up, plus:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. KIRKBRIDE: Hi, Olivia. We're tired. We're tired.
GUPTA (voice-over): What was the hardest part of these changes?
BURKHOLDER: Today's the worst day. I don't want to have to do this again.
GUPTA: Our "New You" volunteers tell all after the break. But first, can you guess how many people keep their New Year's resolution? 50 percent of us, 20 percent or 10 percent? Stay with us for the answer to our "Daily Dose Quiz."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Checking the "Daily Dose Quiz" now, we asked: "How many people keep their New Year's resolution?" The answer: 20 percent of us on average keep those promises we made to ourselves. (END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: With so few American's actually following through with their New Year's resolutions, many people were surprised that our fab five had such success.
David, you for one, had a scary experience early on. You were concerned about your heart, the angiogram, all that sort of stuff. In fact, you had a stress test and an angiogram very early on in the whole process. Tell us about that whole experience. How did it affect you?
PECK: Well, definitely I felt -- you know, very nervous going into it. I had no idea what they were going to find. Was concerned -- you know, what ifs, a lot of what ifs while I'm sitting there in the hospital bed, waiting for my angiogram, but found out everything was looking good, it was just the way my heart is designed and that made it a little lazy.
GUPTA: Well, a lot of people followed your story with great interest. A lot of people that I know, as well.
Danny from Oklahoma has an e-mail question, let's see if you can respond to this. He -- on of those people. He writes:
"I was curious about what type of diet plan you are on specifically. What are you allowed to eat and when? And how often are you having to exercise?"
So, a lot of people out there, early 40s, concerned about their heart. What about the diet? What about the exercise plan?
PECK: Ok, with the diet -- you know, I went to the American Heart Association and they -- basically they steer you away from the bad fats and -- you know, eating right, also when you're hungry and you want a snack, go to a snack like a vegetable or something that's healthier for you versus going into the crackers or the jerky, which isn't too bad, but eating right, as far as looking as vegetables, and whatnot.
GUPTA: And you were already exercising three times a week, before this. How did that change?
PECK: I was, it wasn't as intense. I'm now doing five days a week and we're doing a lot more aerobic exercise, and so spending a lot more time at the gym and with the trainer. So, I'm fortunate, right now, I'm going to a trainer, big difference in level of efforts with the trainer, and but -- you know, that's going to trail off a little bit and it's going to be up to me to perform at the club.
GUPTA: That's good advice. You also talked a lot about stress which is probably one of the most overused out there, but you went to yoga, you started off with yoga classes and you ended up changing jobs. Talk about that transition.
PECK: Yeah, it wasn't actually the yoga that got me to change job, but...
GUPTA: You're not a yoga instructor now?
PECK: No, I'm not. But, it was kind of eye opening being part of the program and seeing where you are and had an opportunity to reflect the last time we were out in New York and just decided I did need to make a job change and heard some comments from my children about not being around that much. And I just all of a sudden said, "Whoa, you know, this isn't the right thing. We have choices." And, so now I'm -- I have -- I'm very fortunate to have a job where I don't travel as much and -- you know, I know the information industry inside and out so that's...
GUPTA: The kids resonate well with you. I saw the Kirkbrides nodding the head, as well, planning ahead for Olivia.
Kim, you probably got more letters than anybody, letters of encouragement and questions, a lot of people, obviously, understanding your story. You lost ten pounds and eight inches in two months, that in and of itself is a very good -- big success, but you also work two jobs and were able to exercise. How do you do that? What can you tell people?
EVERETT: I don't know how I did it, but schedule your time, that's what I have to do. I have to realize what's going on that day. I have to look -- you know, a couple days in advance and say what day I'm really going to get in the gym. That's what I've been doing and added work ins-- workouts -- you know, on my lunch break.
GUPTA: What time are you getting up -- are you getting up earlier are you going to bed later?
EVERETT: I'm trying to go to bed earlier now, so I can get up earlier to go to the gym, the days that I have to go, but I try not to squeeze in those 5:30s unless there's absolutely no other way to do it. So yeah, much earlier to bed.
GUPTA: Right early to bed, early to rise.
EVERETT: Yeah.
GUPTA: Katherine, no smoking for two months now, and you had smoked for more than half of your life. You were very concerned about putting on weight before you started to stop smoking. What has been the hardest part for you?
BURKHOLDER: Um, probably the hardest part, other than being anxious about not smoking and just the general anxiety that you're going to quit smoking, is like thinking about food all the time, as opposed to my normal life where I never thought about food and I just ate and I ate pretty well by not thinking about food, now I have to think about everything in advance, really make sure I have good snacks on hand and...
GUPTA: Good snacks always important. Lots of e-mails coming in for you as well, about addiction, about smoking, this one -- a lot of people battling addiction, Jennifer in Connecticut wanting to know: "It's great to know you are quitting smoking and eating healthier. I'd love to convince my boyfriend to do the same. Any advice?"
What -- so she wants to convince her boyfriend.
BURKHOLDER: Um, I don't think you can really convince anybody that it's time for them to quit smoking. I think it's important for them to know they can and should try, even if -- even if you don't really want to, even if you're not totally dedicated to it, if you keep trying eventually you will quit, and I don't think there are very many smokers who don't want to quit sometimes.
GUPTA: Biggest motivator, social, financial, or health, for you? What do you thing it was?
BURKHOLDER: Um, for me it's really health.
GUPTA: You were concerned about lung cancer, things like that down the road.
All right, we're going to talk a lot more about that, and the Kirkbrides, as well. Coming up after the break:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA (voice-over): More insights from our teams from David's portion control.
PECK: It's the new me. I'm finishing the plate.
GUPTA: To Kim's workout schedule.
EVERETT: And it's time. I don't -- two jobs and working out, now, and packing a lunch. I have no time.
GUPTA: Will our team be ale to stick with their plans? What's their strategy to stay on the wagon? Before we get those answers, here's a tip to help you stay feeling fit:
Diet and exercise may be the mantra for losing weight, but new studies find certain foods can actually trigger weight loss.
MICHAEL ZEMEL, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE: On the higher dairy diets you reduce your loss of lean body tissue so that a greater proportion of the weight that you lose is actually fat.
GUPTA: Nutritionists and doctors agree that three to four serving of low fat or nonfat dairy a day is also protective against high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and colon cancer. And, it turns out eating an apple or pair a day may help you keep the fat off. A Brazilian study found a 20 percent decrease in appetite for those women on a diet who ate at least three serving of either fruit a day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EVERETT: It's been very difficult, I mean, it's -- my lifestyle is really ridiculous with two jobs and juggling so many things and adding in the working out and adding in the eating healthy, so it's been very hard.
PECK: After the camera is gone -- you know, am I going to be able to sustain and continue on the path I'm on?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Those are our fab five confessionals. We did that to keep them honest over the last couple of months.
Welcome back to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, it's the final week of our "New You" resolution series and our five participants are here to tell us how the last eight weeks have been.
So many people are struggling with the same issues all of them had: lack of time, lack of stress.
Kimberly Everett, she's 24-years-old, she's from Atlanta.
Lots of questions coming in for you, I mentioned. Sal from New York wants to know:
"Has it been challenging for you, thus far, trying to maintain your healthier lifestyle? I'm trying to do the same thing, but at times, I feel that I lack the motivation to stick with it. So, what motivates you?"
Specifically as possible.
EVERETT: Family and friends, my sister definitely, was a big motivator. She'd encourage me to go up and get to the gym and she'd wake me up in the morning, say "Are you going to go to the gym, make sure you go." And, she'd help me pack my gym bag, or --you know, if I was running late at night, which I often do get home really late. And, she'd wash my clothes -- you know, little things like that.
GUPTA: How is it going to be for you now that the cameras are going to be gone? All honesty -- how much has the cameras had an impact on you sticking with your plan?
EVERETT: Um, a little -- a lot of impact, I would say a lot of impact. I think it's going fine. I plan on hitting the gym when I leave Wednesday, tomorrow. You know, definitely working out, I haven't done it in a couple days I'm feeling sick. I need to be in the gym, so I'm definitely going to do it, and I got a trainer now, too.
GUPTA: Great, Pam and Michael -- you know, we know that you don't love all the low-fat treats, we've heard that. What about it, after we stop hounding you? P. KIRKBRIDE: Well, we have a Kirkbride calendar, so we're going -- you know, we always plan out the week ahead, so we're going to stick to that and we have each other, and we also have Olivia to really motivate us.
GUPTA: Kids: big motivator in this case.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Yeah, we want to be around.
GUPTA: David mentioned that, as well. No matter what happens -- no matter what happens from here on end, you've already done terrific jobs. You've already been very inspiring to lots of people across America.
Lots of e-mails coming in. Let's read a couple of them, just so you get a sense of what's been going on.
Joshua from California writes: "My wife just had a baby eight weeks ago and we gained about 60 pounds between the both of us. I want you to know we're cheering you guys on and we're walking through this with you. Keep up the great work."
And to David, Matt in New Jersey: "I'm in a similar health risk situation and just want to wish you the best with the steps you have taken. You have motivated me to work on the same for myself."
So, congratulations to you David, I mean, you're affecting a lot of lives out there.
Kirkbride's you get these sorts of e-mail, a family says -- a couple say, they put on 60 pounds, they're trying to lose that. You've just gone through this process, losing 27 pounds, one piece of advice specifically for that couple?
M. KIRKBRIDE: I think the first thing is get organized. We knew that we wanted to do this and we worked together to put the calendar in place and we know when we're going to the gym, we know what we're going to eat and we just needed to get organized.
GUPTA: And I should point out, that you guys were in pretty good shape before that baby. I mean you guys were exercising...
P. KIRKBRIDE: Before the baby.
GUPTA: And it was just the organization that basically took you a step backwards, you think?
M. KIRKBRIDE: Yeah.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Yeah.
GUPTA: OK. All right, we'll get much more from that, as well. From inspiration to facts that you can use, what's the one piece of advice the fab five have for you? That's coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) GUPTA (voice-over): They've been the battling for eight weeks and learned some hard lessons.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Between this and exercise, the meals kind of just go to the wayside.
GUPTA: Advice from the experts when we come back. And, grab a pen, we'll give you some Web sites with tips to help you stay motivated all year long. But, first check out these headlines:
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fifteen percent of American children are overweight, and a new study shows restaurant menus for kids are not helping the problem. The Center for Science in the Public Interest looked at kids menus for 20 popular restaurants and found high fat foods like burgers and fries on almost all of them. Most restaurants did, however, offer healthy substitutes.
Also if you're trying to control your carb intake, beware of hidden carbs in over-the-counter medications. Fiber supplements, calcium chews, and liquid cold medicines can contain as many as 19 carbs per dose.
Christy Feig, "For Your Health."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: And, go to CNN.com/health for all your medical news. You can sign up for health news, e-mail alerts, or use the library to look up information on everything from staying fit to the newest cancer treatments.
We only have about a minute left, the show goes by so fast. The two months went by so fast. And I want each of you to answer a question. What one piece of advice would you give to all the people out there who have been following you along for the last couple of months?
Kim, let's start with you.
EVERETT: Um, if you are a beginner workout person, like I was, I'd definitely hire a trainer to get you motivated, show you what to do when you actually get in the gym, and the extra support will make you good.
GUPTA: Got a lot of benefit from the trainer. Good, congratulations.
David.
PECK: Well, my case with the heart, if -- you know, you're concerned or where you are with your heart or something along those lines, seek it out, find out the information and find out where you are and then you know how to attack it.
GUPTA: So many people blow it off, they just don't think it can happen to them -- the heart. PECK: Well, I think a lot of people, like they said earlier, I was a little in denial of seeking that out, but I think if you do you'll find out you can then address the situation, whatever it maybe, and fortunately for me it was good thing.
GUPTA: Good, congratulations, David.
Katherine?
BURKHOLDER: Try. Have you to try to quit, and you can do it, it is possible, and seek out the help you need.
GUPTA: So many people don't even want to give it a shot, right?
BURKHOLDER: I think a lot of people are afraid to try and especially afraid to tell people that they're trying, because if you fail, it's embarrassing.
GUPTA: Well, congratulation, you've been an inspiration for a lot of people who just have thought about quitting smoking, but haven't actually given it a shot yet.
Kirkbrides?
P. KIRKBRIDE: Using your time efficiently, especially when the baby is put to sleep, use that time. Do the -- do a minute of crunches, that's all you need is a minute.
GUPTA: You -- and one thing, really is interesting -- you guys look very relaxed -- you know, I know are new parents and you guys have busy schedules, you're both working. What about the relaxing sort of part, how are you able to do that in addition to everything else?
M. KIRKBRIDE: I don't feel very relaxed. I would say that we've just been -- we have so much more energy now than we did two months ago, so, I mean, if that comes across as looking relaxed then great, but it's really about having a lot more energy and using our time to make sure that we keep building that energy.
GUPTA: And David, you as well, you are busier in some ways, I mean, your job is changed, you're spending more time with your family, exercising, yet you're still able to pretty -- be even keeled about things. How are you doing that?
PECK: Well it just seems like, based on all the changes, both working out like the Kirkbrides, here, you do get more energy, you do feel better and so you're able to attack things better, I think, and think clearer. It's just, you feel better. Probably the food has something to do with it.
GUPTA: That's right.
Well everyone, good luck. And, although we won't be following you around with cameras anymore, you can be rest assured of that; we will be checking from you from time to time. Hopefully see you again in about six month's time. Thanks a gain to all of you for taking the challenge. I think you've really inspired a lot of people out there.
And thanks to everyone at home who sent in e-mails, sent them notes of encouragement.
Next week on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, we're going to go inside Iraq's hospitals. Can ordinary citizens get the care they need in such a torn up country? We'll find out next week at 8:30 Eastern.
I'm Dr. Sanjay Gupta, tune in for all your medical news here on CNN.
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Aired February 29, 2004 - 08:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well good morning and welcome to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL. We're talking New Year's resolution today. Where do you stand? Well, many of us started this year with a list of promises but experts say by week three about 25 percent of them were broken.
Well, here at CNN we had our own resolution. A team of producers and cameras followed five fabulous people for the first eight weeks of the year as they dedicated themselves to improving their health. Let's take a look back.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KATHRYN BURKHOLDER, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: In an hour I could probably smoke ten cigarettes.
GUPTA (voice-over): Kathryn puffed a pack a day.
BURKHOLDER: Doesn't it look like fun? Don't you want to do it, too?
GUPTA: But on January 1, she quit -- cold turkey. Her biggest fear, packing on the pounds.
BURKHOLDER: I fully expect to gain ten pounds. I don't think there's a way around it.
GUPTA: Quitting isn't easy.
BURKHOLDER: It's been really annoying.
GUPTA: But, Kathryn stuck with her "New You" resolution and plans to continue. She, exercises, eats right, sees a counselor, and takes medication prescribed by her doctor. Now, 55 days without a cigarette. At a pack a day that adds up to 1,100 she has gone without.
BURKHOLDER: I'm kind of amazed I have been able to make it this long and not smoke one single cigarette.
GUPTA: She hasn't gained any weight, but a new challenge.
BURKHOLDER: I think a lot more about eating than I did before I quit smoking.
GUPTA: Tori wasn't sure her sister Kim would survive the "New You."
TORI EVERETT, KIM'S SISTER: Working two jobs and working out.
GUPTA: But Kim proved her wrong.
T. EVERETT: And I'm surprised -- pleasantly surprised.
GUPTA: Her ring is slippin', her clothes are fittin', and Kim is flippin'.
KIMBERLEY EVERETT, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: Eight inches, 10 pounds and four percent body fat.
GUPTA: Pounds were shed as were tears. She did it for herself, her family...
K. EVERETT: I thank God for you. Happy Birthday. Love always, Kim and Tori.
GUPTA: ...and especially after dad's scare last year.
K. EVERETT: Just think -- you know, if he didn't survive the heart attack he wouldn't have been at the birthday party.
GUPTA: Now, Kim's providing a good example.
T. EVERETT: She's encouraged the whole family to eat healthier, at least try
GUPTA: Daiquiris during TV time has been replaced.
T. EVERETT: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) instead of alcohol, very good!
PAM KIRKBRIDE, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: Let's go work out.
GUPTA: For new parents Pam and Michael Kirkbride, time was the ultimate challenge of their "New You" resolution.
MICHAEL KIRKBRIDE, NEW YOUR PARTICIPANT: They're going to help you find time to go to the gym and eat well? Bring it on.
GUPTA: And, the Kirkbrides did. They increased their strength and energy levels and lost a total of 27 pounds combined.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Go team Kirkbride. Woo!
GUPTA: They say teamwork has been the key to it all.
P. KIRKBRIDE: We're this efficient exercising, parenting machine.
GUPTA: They take turns going to the gym.
P. KIRKBRIDE: OK, all right, that's enough.
GUPTA: Or just take baby Olivia on their workouts. They've been eating better.
M. KIRKBRIDE: The eating healthy doesn't take any more or less time. It's just choosing better.
GUPTA: And now they feel better.
P. KIRKBRIDE: You're sexier, buddy.
DAVID PECK, NEW YOU PARTICIPANT: Yeah, I'm cheating.
GUPTA: In the beginning David's plan, in his words, were simple.
PECK: I want the stress to go down, the energy to go up, and lose weight.
GUPTA: He didn't know "New You" would be a catalyst for an even bigger change: His job.
PECK: It's an opportunity to stop traveling so much and focus in a little more on the kids and being around a lot more.
I'm happy to get out of here.
GUPTA: His plan was a huge success. Shaving down the weight and stress, his energy has skyrocketed. There's one persistent hitch.
PECK: Hunger pains.
GUPTA: But that's not helping friends from benefiting the new Dave.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Work ongoing my heart to make sure I'm around for as long as Dave's going to be.
PECK: I'm feeling great. I actually feel very fortunate that I got to be a part of this.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: Our "New You" eight week challenge has ended, and here to tell us how their lives changed is our five participants. First, let's go around the couch and introduce all of you to them once again.
Kimberly Everett is from Atlanta; David Peck is from San Jose, California; Kathryn Burkholder is from Atlanta, as well; and Pam and Michael Kirkbride are from New York City.
Let's start with a quick question for all of you. It's been two months, you guys did very well, you all stuck with the plans, but I'm sure there are ups and downs for all of you, as well. How about you, Kimberly, what were the ups and downs for you.
EVERETT: Ups and downs. Um, well obviously we all know I missed the workout session with Melinda, so...
GUPTA: We kept reminding everybody of that. EVERETT: Yes, so I guess that was a down. And an up I think was losing ten pounds.
GUPTA: Ten pounds, eight inches, two months.
EVERETT: Yep.
GUPTA: I think that's an inspiration for a lot of people.
EVERETT: Yeah.
GUPTA: David what about you?
PECK: Well, I'd say the downs were going out to a restaurant, figuring out what to eat. I remember I went out for Chinese and had no idea at that point, it was early on, and kind of overate a little bit, but the help with the nutritionist helped me correct what I was...
GUPTA: Were you surprised at the 12 pounds?
PECK: Yeah. Actually I -- actually I was -- my goals were a little loftier early on, but as I realized, you don't lose that much weight that quick, so....
GUPTA: Six pounds a month, a lot of people I've talked to have been pretty impressed bid that.
PECK: Yeah,
GUPTA: Pretty good.
How about you Katherine?
BURKHOLDER: Um, the up is that I'm not smoking and haven't smoked at all. So that's good. The down would be that the first two weeks you just like you feel sick, almost like you have a cold or something. The rest of the time I'm not my usual happy self.
GUPTA: Are you getting out more? You spending more time with your friends as a result or?
BURKHOLDER: I have been going out a good bit and doing a lot of things with my friends. So, that's been nice, and that was different from times before when I quit.
GUPTA: Good. We'll get a lot more on that, as well.
Pam and Michael.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Downs were probably the hunger pains midway. We were definitely hungry for a good week and a half -- still fighting through that. Ups: I mean, Michael lost 20 pounds, you know, it's great, I lost seven. And the fact that we're just doing something active every day.
GUPTA: Twenty pounds in two months, does that -- I mean, you must feel like a different guy.
M. KIRKBRIDE: I feel great. It's an indicator of just how bad it was before, as well as how good it is now.
GUPTA: Well, I got to say and everyone's commented on this, you guys all look very relaxed and very, very fit. We're going to talk more about that, as well. But, lots of people have been participating at home as well, as you know. They've been sending in e-mails, words of encouragement. Lots of e-mails. Let's take a look at one of them for Team Kirkbride.
Jane in Massachusetts asking: "My husband and I have a beautiful 9-month-old son, we both work full-time," sound familiar? "we just moved into a new home. It sounds like you guys are really managing to get the exercise in on top of your hectic schedules. I greatly admire that. How do you do it?"
So, here we have this television program where you guys have done it, obviously. But, what's your advice for people at home?
M. KIRKBRIDE: We're in a very similar situation, and we've just -- I mean, across the board, we've just become much more efficient. For example, when one of us is putting Olivia to sleep, the other one will be going to the gym or doing exercising, and we've just maximized every available moment in a way that we never did before.
GUPTA: Biggest motivator, Pam?
P. KIRKBRIDE: Michael. Definitely.
GUPTA: And, that's a very good lesson for couples out there who are watching. We're going to hear a lot more from you, as well. We're also going to get more of the e-mails. All that's coming up, plus:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
P. KIRKBRIDE: Hi, Olivia. We're tired. We're tired.
GUPTA (voice-over): What was the hardest part of these changes?
BURKHOLDER: Today's the worst day. I don't want to have to do this again.
GUPTA: Our "New You" volunteers tell all after the break. But first, can you guess how many people keep their New Year's resolution? 50 percent of us, 20 percent or 10 percent? Stay with us for the answer to our "Daily Dose Quiz."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Checking the "Daily Dose Quiz" now, we asked: "How many people keep their New Year's resolution?" The answer: 20 percent of us on average keep those promises we made to ourselves. (END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: With so few American's actually following through with their New Year's resolutions, many people were surprised that our fab five had such success.
David, you for one, had a scary experience early on. You were concerned about your heart, the angiogram, all that sort of stuff. In fact, you had a stress test and an angiogram very early on in the whole process. Tell us about that whole experience. How did it affect you?
PECK: Well, definitely I felt -- you know, very nervous going into it. I had no idea what they were going to find. Was concerned -- you know, what ifs, a lot of what ifs while I'm sitting there in the hospital bed, waiting for my angiogram, but found out everything was looking good, it was just the way my heart is designed and that made it a little lazy.
GUPTA: Well, a lot of people followed your story with great interest. A lot of people that I know, as well.
Danny from Oklahoma has an e-mail question, let's see if you can respond to this. He -- on of those people. He writes:
"I was curious about what type of diet plan you are on specifically. What are you allowed to eat and when? And how often are you having to exercise?"
So, a lot of people out there, early 40s, concerned about their heart. What about the diet? What about the exercise plan?
PECK: Ok, with the diet -- you know, I went to the American Heart Association and they -- basically they steer you away from the bad fats and -- you know, eating right, also when you're hungry and you want a snack, go to a snack like a vegetable or something that's healthier for you versus going into the crackers or the jerky, which isn't too bad, but eating right, as far as looking as vegetables, and whatnot.
GUPTA: And you were already exercising three times a week, before this. How did that change?
PECK: I was, it wasn't as intense. I'm now doing five days a week and we're doing a lot more aerobic exercise, and so spending a lot more time at the gym and with the trainer. So, I'm fortunate, right now, I'm going to a trainer, big difference in level of efforts with the trainer, and but -- you know, that's going to trail off a little bit and it's going to be up to me to perform at the club.
GUPTA: That's good advice. You also talked a lot about stress which is probably one of the most overused out there, but you went to yoga, you started off with yoga classes and you ended up changing jobs. Talk about that transition.
PECK: Yeah, it wasn't actually the yoga that got me to change job, but...
GUPTA: You're not a yoga instructor now?
PECK: No, I'm not. But, it was kind of eye opening being part of the program and seeing where you are and had an opportunity to reflect the last time we were out in New York and just decided I did need to make a job change and heard some comments from my children about not being around that much. And I just all of a sudden said, "Whoa, you know, this isn't the right thing. We have choices." And, so now I'm -- I have -- I'm very fortunate to have a job where I don't travel as much and -- you know, I know the information industry inside and out so that's...
GUPTA: The kids resonate well with you. I saw the Kirkbrides nodding the head, as well, planning ahead for Olivia.
Kim, you probably got more letters than anybody, letters of encouragement and questions, a lot of people, obviously, understanding your story. You lost ten pounds and eight inches in two months, that in and of itself is a very good -- big success, but you also work two jobs and were able to exercise. How do you do that? What can you tell people?
EVERETT: I don't know how I did it, but schedule your time, that's what I have to do. I have to realize what's going on that day. I have to look -- you know, a couple days in advance and say what day I'm really going to get in the gym. That's what I've been doing and added work ins-- workouts -- you know, on my lunch break.
GUPTA: What time are you getting up -- are you getting up earlier are you going to bed later?
EVERETT: I'm trying to go to bed earlier now, so I can get up earlier to go to the gym, the days that I have to go, but I try not to squeeze in those 5:30s unless there's absolutely no other way to do it. So yeah, much earlier to bed.
GUPTA: Right early to bed, early to rise.
EVERETT: Yeah.
GUPTA: Katherine, no smoking for two months now, and you had smoked for more than half of your life. You were very concerned about putting on weight before you started to stop smoking. What has been the hardest part for you?
BURKHOLDER: Um, probably the hardest part, other than being anxious about not smoking and just the general anxiety that you're going to quit smoking, is like thinking about food all the time, as opposed to my normal life where I never thought about food and I just ate and I ate pretty well by not thinking about food, now I have to think about everything in advance, really make sure I have good snacks on hand and...
GUPTA: Good snacks always important. Lots of e-mails coming in for you as well, about addiction, about smoking, this one -- a lot of people battling addiction, Jennifer in Connecticut wanting to know: "It's great to know you are quitting smoking and eating healthier. I'd love to convince my boyfriend to do the same. Any advice?"
What -- so she wants to convince her boyfriend.
BURKHOLDER: Um, I don't think you can really convince anybody that it's time for them to quit smoking. I think it's important for them to know they can and should try, even if -- even if you don't really want to, even if you're not totally dedicated to it, if you keep trying eventually you will quit, and I don't think there are very many smokers who don't want to quit sometimes.
GUPTA: Biggest motivator, social, financial, or health, for you? What do you thing it was?
BURKHOLDER: Um, for me it's really health.
GUPTA: You were concerned about lung cancer, things like that down the road.
All right, we're going to talk a lot more about that, and the Kirkbrides, as well. Coming up after the break:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA (voice-over): More insights from our teams from David's portion control.
PECK: It's the new me. I'm finishing the plate.
GUPTA: To Kim's workout schedule.
EVERETT: And it's time. I don't -- two jobs and working out, now, and packing a lunch. I have no time.
GUPTA: Will our team be ale to stick with their plans? What's their strategy to stay on the wagon? Before we get those answers, here's a tip to help you stay feeling fit:
Diet and exercise may be the mantra for losing weight, but new studies find certain foods can actually trigger weight loss.
MICHAEL ZEMEL, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE: On the higher dairy diets you reduce your loss of lean body tissue so that a greater proportion of the weight that you lose is actually fat.
GUPTA: Nutritionists and doctors agree that three to four serving of low fat or nonfat dairy a day is also protective against high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and colon cancer. And, it turns out eating an apple or pair a day may help you keep the fat off. A Brazilian study found a 20 percent decrease in appetite for those women on a diet who ate at least three serving of either fruit a day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
EVERETT: It's been very difficult, I mean, it's -- my lifestyle is really ridiculous with two jobs and juggling so many things and adding in the working out and adding in the eating healthy, so it's been very hard.
PECK: After the camera is gone -- you know, am I going to be able to sustain and continue on the path I'm on?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: Those are our fab five confessionals. We did that to keep them honest over the last couple of months.
Welcome back to WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, it's the final week of our "New You" resolution series and our five participants are here to tell us how the last eight weeks have been.
So many people are struggling with the same issues all of them had: lack of time, lack of stress.
Kimberly Everett, she's 24-years-old, she's from Atlanta.
Lots of questions coming in for you, I mentioned. Sal from New York wants to know:
"Has it been challenging for you, thus far, trying to maintain your healthier lifestyle? I'm trying to do the same thing, but at times, I feel that I lack the motivation to stick with it. So, what motivates you?"
Specifically as possible.
EVERETT: Family and friends, my sister definitely, was a big motivator. She'd encourage me to go up and get to the gym and she'd wake me up in the morning, say "Are you going to go to the gym, make sure you go." And, she'd help me pack my gym bag, or --you know, if I was running late at night, which I often do get home really late. And, she'd wash my clothes -- you know, little things like that.
GUPTA: How is it going to be for you now that the cameras are going to be gone? All honesty -- how much has the cameras had an impact on you sticking with your plan?
EVERETT: Um, a little -- a lot of impact, I would say a lot of impact. I think it's going fine. I plan on hitting the gym when I leave Wednesday, tomorrow. You know, definitely working out, I haven't done it in a couple days I'm feeling sick. I need to be in the gym, so I'm definitely going to do it, and I got a trainer now, too.
GUPTA: Great, Pam and Michael -- you know, we know that you don't love all the low-fat treats, we've heard that. What about it, after we stop hounding you? P. KIRKBRIDE: Well, we have a Kirkbride calendar, so we're going -- you know, we always plan out the week ahead, so we're going to stick to that and we have each other, and we also have Olivia to really motivate us.
GUPTA: Kids: big motivator in this case.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Yeah, we want to be around.
GUPTA: David mentioned that, as well. No matter what happens -- no matter what happens from here on end, you've already done terrific jobs. You've already been very inspiring to lots of people across America.
Lots of e-mails coming in. Let's read a couple of them, just so you get a sense of what's been going on.
Joshua from California writes: "My wife just had a baby eight weeks ago and we gained about 60 pounds between the both of us. I want you to know we're cheering you guys on and we're walking through this with you. Keep up the great work."
And to David, Matt in New Jersey: "I'm in a similar health risk situation and just want to wish you the best with the steps you have taken. You have motivated me to work on the same for myself."
So, congratulations to you David, I mean, you're affecting a lot of lives out there.
Kirkbride's you get these sorts of e-mail, a family says -- a couple say, they put on 60 pounds, they're trying to lose that. You've just gone through this process, losing 27 pounds, one piece of advice specifically for that couple?
M. KIRKBRIDE: I think the first thing is get organized. We knew that we wanted to do this and we worked together to put the calendar in place and we know when we're going to the gym, we know what we're going to eat and we just needed to get organized.
GUPTA: And I should point out, that you guys were in pretty good shape before that baby. I mean you guys were exercising...
P. KIRKBRIDE: Before the baby.
GUPTA: And it was just the organization that basically took you a step backwards, you think?
M. KIRKBRIDE: Yeah.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Yeah.
GUPTA: OK. All right, we'll get much more from that, as well. From inspiration to facts that you can use, what's the one piece of advice the fab five have for you? That's coming up.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) GUPTA (voice-over): They've been the battling for eight weeks and learned some hard lessons.
P. KIRKBRIDE: Between this and exercise, the meals kind of just go to the wayside.
GUPTA: Advice from the experts when we come back. And, grab a pen, we'll give you some Web sites with tips to help you stay motivated all year long. But, first check out these headlines:
CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fifteen percent of American children are overweight, and a new study shows restaurant menus for kids are not helping the problem. The Center for Science in the Public Interest looked at kids menus for 20 popular restaurants and found high fat foods like burgers and fries on almost all of them. Most restaurants did, however, offer healthy substitutes.
Also if you're trying to control your carb intake, beware of hidden carbs in over-the-counter medications. Fiber supplements, calcium chews, and liquid cold medicines can contain as many as 19 carbs per dose.
Christy Feig, "For Your Health."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: And, go to CNN.com/health for all your medical news. You can sign up for health news, e-mail alerts, or use the library to look up information on everything from staying fit to the newest cancer treatments.
We only have about a minute left, the show goes by so fast. The two months went by so fast. And I want each of you to answer a question. What one piece of advice would you give to all the people out there who have been following you along for the last couple of months?
Kim, let's start with you.
EVERETT: Um, if you are a beginner workout person, like I was, I'd definitely hire a trainer to get you motivated, show you what to do when you actually get in the gym, and the extra support will make you good.
GUPTA: Got a lot of benefit from the trainer. Good, congratulations.
David.
PECK: Well, my case with the heart, if -- you know, you're concerned or where you are with your heart or something along those lines, seek it out, find out the information and find out where you are and then you know how to attack it.
GUPTA: So many people blow it off, they just don't think it can happen to them -- the heart. PECK: Well, I think a lot of people, like they said earlier, I was a little in denial of seeking that out, but I think if you do you'll find out you can then address the situation, whatever it maybe, and fortunately for me it was good thing.
GUPTA: Good, congratulations, David.
Katherine?
BURKHOLDER: Try. Have you to try to quit, and you can do it, it is possible, and seek out the help you need.
GUPTA: So many people don't even want to give it a shot, right?
BURKHOLDER: I think a lot of people are afraid to try and especially afraid to tell people that they're trying, because if you fail, it's embarrassing.
GUPTA: Well, congratulation, you've been an inspiration for a lot of people who just have thought about quitting smoking, but haven't actually given it a shot yet.
Kirkbrides?
P. KIRKBRIDE: Using your time efficiently, especially when the baby is put to sleep, use that time. Do the -- do a minute of crunches, that's all you need is a minute.
GUPTA: You -- and one thing, really is interesting -- you guys look very relaxed -- you know, I know are new parents and you guys have busy schedules, you're both working. What about the relaxing sort of part, how are you able to do that in addition to everything else?
M. KIRKBRIDE: I don't feel very relaxed. I would say that we've just been -- we have so much more energy now than we did two months ago, so, I mean, if that comes across as looking relaxed then great, but it's really about having a lot more energy and using our time to make sure that we keep building that energy.
GUPTA: And David, you as well, you are busier in some ways, I mean, your job is changed, you're spending more time with your family, exercising, yet you're still able to pretty -- be even keeled about things. How are you doing that?
PECK: Well it just seems like, based on all the changes, both working out like the Kirkbrides, here, you do get more energy, you do feel better and so you're able to attack things better, I think, and think clearer. It's just, you feel better. Probably the food has something to do with it.
GUPTA: That's right.
Well everyone, good luck. And, although we won't be following you around with cameras anymore, you can be rest assured of that; we will be checking from you from time to time. Hopefully see you again in about six month's time. Thanks a gain to all of you for taking the challenge. I think you've really inspired a lot of people out there.
And thanks to everyone at home who sent in e-mails, sent them notes of encouragement.
Next week on WEEKEND HOUSE CALL, we're going to go inside Iraq's hospitals. Can ordinary citizens get the care they need in such a torn up country? We'll find out next week at 8:30 Eastern.
I'm Dr. Sanjay Gupta, tune in for all your medical news here on CNN.
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