Meet Pastor Bob Vale, Healthy Me! Participant

Healthy Me! Participant Bob Vale spends most of his time caring for others. As the Pastor of Osceola United Methodist Church, he’s called upon at all times of the day by his congregation.  When he isn’t helping them, he’s busy on the racquetball court, or the father of three adult children is at home with his wife.

Roughly two years ago, he got a bit of a wake-up call when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.   This type of diabetes is the most common form, affecting 90-95% of the 26 million American with diabetes. People who suffer with Type 2 Diabetes are able to make insulin for their bodies, but they either don’t make enough or the body is unable to use the insulin properly. This causes the body’s cells to be deprived of glucose, which means the cells aren’t able to function properly. 

Over time, this can cause damage to nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys and heart. It can also increase urination and cause dehydration.

After learning about his diagnosis, Bob worked very hard to lose about 30 pounds and plays racquetball with friends 4-5 days a week. And while this, along with some medication, has helped him, Bob hopes that the Healthy Me! Program will help him achieve his long term goals.

In his essay to become a participant in the program, Bob wrote, “I would like to be accepted as one of the six participants of the Healthy Me! Program to one day experience the reality and celebration of grandchildren, a fifty year marriage, retirement and to live beyond the devastating effects of diabetes.”

He has taken steps to beginning that process. Recently, Bob met with Dr. Donald Troyer, Family Medicine of South Bend, P.C., to talk about ways he can help improve his medical status.  Standing a little over 6’2”, Bob weighs 239 pounds. 

Bob met with Erin Hurst, a registered dietitian at SaintJoseph Regional Medical Center, to discuss his eating habits and ways he can improve what and how much he eats. Based on his height, weight and body mass index, Erin suggested an 1800-2000 calorie diet with about 90-108 grams of protein each day.

She also recommends that he eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day with a goal of three meals and two snacks.  According to her, a good rule of thumb is to strive for meals that are about 500 calories with about 25 grams of protein and snacks that are about 200 calories with about 8 grams of protein.

Erin suggested that all the participants use My Fitness Pal to track their daily calories.   The computer application offers participants a way to track their food intake by providing nutritional information for common foods. By tracking food for at least 30 days, participants will understand their eating habits better and can make more informed choices.

Bob is also working with Jonell Witkowski twice a month at Memorial Health & Lifestyle Center to plan workout regimens that will help him lose weight. A military veteran from Desert Storm, Bob isn’t afraid of discipline or hard work!

To follow Bob’s progress through the Healthy Me! Program check back on our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.