For many Canadian guys, this bit from Toby Hargrave’s stand-up comedy routine is funny because it’s true: “I’m at that age where sometimes things hurt, and I have no idea why. If you’re 20 and you show up to work with a limp, there’s always some kind of epic adventure behind it. Today I show up with a limp, and people are like, “What happened?” And I’m like, “I don’t know!”
Toby, 46, describes himself as “spectacularly average.” The actor and comedian, who lives with his young family on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, carries about 265 pounds on his six-foot-tall frame. He has spent most of his adult life drinking alcohol almost every day and does most of the cooking in his household. With “comfort foods like ribs, roasts and pierogies” among his favourite dishes, counting calories has been a foreign concept. With a family to support and a career to pursue, exercise tends to end up on the back burner.
Following the birth of his second child, Toby began to worry about his health (or lack thereof). Then he was informed about a partnership between Telus Corp. and the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation — the organization behind the blog you’re reading — to produce a men’s health documentary. Toby’s goal of learning simple ways to be healthier and lose weight turned out to be a perfect fit for the video at the top of this page, while his hilarious credentials speak for themselves.
Step 1: Men’s Health Check
Before his concerns arose, Toby jokes that “an undiagnosed case of lazy” prevented him from learning more about the state of his health and how to improve it. His first move, then, was to assess his health using the free Men’s Health Check. The online survey asks questions about health history and lifestyle and then assesses your risk of developing eight of the most common diseases and conditions among Canadian men.
“That first step wasn’t so hard,” Toby says after using Men’s Health Check. With a couple of flags raised but no imminent dangers detected, he moves on to Step 2…
Step 2: See your doctor
Next, Toby meets with Dr. Robert Menzies, a Vancouver-based family doctor. As part of the appointment, Toby had already undergone a battery of standard medical tests and is clearly relieved when Dr. Menzies gives him the all-clear. “It’s freeing when you have all this information that you need to know,” Toby says. “I’m not saying I don’t have to worry about my health, but I’m now not worried that my liver is about to fail. I’m not worried I’m about to develop type 2 diabetes by next week.”
However, Dr. Menzies does have some important suggestions. “We try to encourage people to drink no more than two drinks a day as an adult male,” he says. Toby chuckles in response, but the message is clear: Less alcohol, even a little bit less each day, can have big health benefits.
Losing a few pounds would also improve Toby’s health, the GP says, adding that “the main thing is that you stay fit and active and watch what you eat. If you do that, usually, you’ll find that the pounds do come off. It’s not about making a huge change; it’s about making a bunch of little changes here and there.”
What kind of simple changes? Keep reading Toby’s health story…
Step 3: Re-think the supermarket
Toby heads to a local supermarket with Ned Bell, the Vancouver Aquarium’s executive chef. Ned nudges Toby away from his favourite section of the store — the red meat section — and into the seafood section. “We have this idea that (meals) need to be big, but I’d prefer you to eat quality,” Ned says, encouraging Toby to try healthier fish instead of massive steaks. If he wants to eat more of something, Ned adds, he can always enjoy as many fruits and vegetables as he wants!
Toby is skeptical at first, but when his four-year-old daughter asks for a second helping of asparagus, “I realized that I might be doing something right,” he says. Since then, Toby has “rediscovered salads” and makes meals that incorporate ingredients like pita bread, roasted veggies, small amounts of feta cheese, tomatoes, olives and chicken. “After you’re done eating,” he quips, “you don’t feel like you ate a bowling ball.” He has also reduced his alcohol intake , as Dr. Menzies suggested, and swapped sugary soda pop for water.
Step 4: Exercise
The cameras follow Toby to a barbecue restaurant, where he meets with two buddies. They discuss their efforts to live healthier, with Toby saying that the biggest bombshell from his recent medical checkup “was that there were no bombshells.”
When the topic of exercise comes up, Toby admits that he doesn’t do much. That’s when the offer is made: Would Toby like to join one of his friends for a run in the park?
See how that pans out by watching the video and check out more easy tips for getting fit.
What has your personal health journey been like so far? Share your stories in the comments below to help inspire other men.
This article was originally published on January 6, 2019.
Photography by: Ken Cheng
Know Your Health Risk
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Loved the video. Very helpful, informative and motivational.
Thanks Tom
ventured in to this web site only to find out its up to me
so we can start by like you did had a physical going on the sky walk august 17 on my birthday 55 see if I could scar more concern in to me
Thanks nothing but cancer mental illness both sides of my family
with education and willpower I know we can cross that bridge
I really appreciate all the effort going into this campaign. I’ve made many changes, thank you!
Hi Mike, We’re thrilled you’re part of our growing community. More importantly, you’ve made many changes. Congrats and you’re most welcome!
Well done! Good practical advice and Toby does a terrific job! Thanks Telus for finally talking about men’s health.
Hi Robert,
First, whew on you not being more injured in the accident. Also, great advice. When cycling wearing a helmet – it is a must! And you are 100% correct, if you have an accident and you hit your head, your helmet needs to be replaced. The structural integrity of the helmet has been compromised and needs to be replaced. Great tips and comment – thanks for sharing with the audience.
Thanks Jawad, glad the team at CMHF was helpful in your health journey. All the best in 2019, and remember it is all about small steps to better health.
Loved the video. Very helpful, informative and motivational.
Thanks Jawad, glad the team at CMHF was helpful in your health journey. All the best in 2019, and remember it is all about small steps to better health.
I tried signing up but was told my email is invalid
Hi Karl, Are you still experiencing issues signing up?
I have to point this out because I had a recent crash while cycling: you gotta wear a helmet all the time while on a bike. Too many people think they’re not at risk for a fall. I’m a pretty steady cyclist (averaging over 250km per week, every week, all year) and while I hadn’t had a wipeout in a few years, I fell on a road a couple of months ago and judging from the damage to my helmet I was spared a concussion (or worse), as well as spared having my scalp ripped to shreds by the road surface. Helmets are one-crash-and-replace and that thing was worth every cent when I think of the alternative. I bought a new helmet the next day. I even put one on when I am working on my bicycle and want to go up and down the block to test the maintenance effort.