Hints to finding your own doctor

Q: I went to see a new doctor to get my thyroid checked because I have been gaining so much weight. He was really fat and I smelled cigarettes. I felt like I couldn't trust him. Am I being too picky?

— Vickie L.

A: We YOU Docs know from experience that doctors are human. But overweight doctors are far less likely to provide good weight-management advice to overweight patients. And that's a matter of life and death. A doctor who smokes may be willing to overlook a patient's bad habits. So, how can you find a quality doctor? Here's our "Good Enough to Be Your Doctor" checklist.

Look up the doctor on Facebook and Google-check for healthy activities.

Do a front-office interview. You'll learn a lot from how the support staff treats you. Ask if the doctor sees patients your age and with your health concerns. Ask where the doc did a residency and has hospital privileges. Find out how long the doc's been board certified (three years should be the minimum).

Check out the doctor's credentials: Go online to see if the doc is included in medical-association databases, such as the American Medical Association and the American Board of Medical Specialties. Only choose someone board certified with admitting privileges at a major medical center.

Q: I had a checkup, and my doctor said I have to start exercising or I'm in for trouble. I'm too embarrassed by how I look to go to the gym. Should I buy a treadmill?

— Frank W.

A: You could get a treadmill, but it'll probably be an expensive clothes hanger inside a month. We YOU Docs advise investing about 1/20th the money in a good pair of walking shoes. (You're going to need them, because your goal is at least 10,000 steps a day!)

Walking reduces anxiety and stress, decreases the risk of major cancers, memory loss and type 2 diabetes, improves heart and lung function, increases flexibility and IT'S FUN! You'll lose weight and feel better almost immediately. So get started.

Jump in feet first. Go to a shoe store in the afternoon (your feet are larger then), and try on running shoes. They're best for walking too. Then buy them; it'll raise your commitment level.