Regular check-ups save men's lives

When it comes to taking care of their health, men often need their wives to drag them to the doctor.

Those who choose to do the right thing for their health can be in the minority.

William Lecount, 63, is one who knows he's a bit different from many of his friends.

"A lot of times with the fellas, they're macho," he said. "They want to put it off, and they still don't believe in going to the doctor."

Higher than 140 is a concern. Lecount's was 250.

"I made a beeline" to get it checked, he said.  

Now he keeps his diabetes under control, and he wants to know all his numbers.

Diabetes wasn't a problem for 55-year-old Brandon McGhee. It was his weight. Last February, he tipped the the scales at 260 pounds.

His doctor told him he needed to lose some pounds if he wanted to live to be 60.

That inspired him to exercise regularly and change his diet. He eats more fruits and vegetables, more white meat chicken and fish; nothing fried.

"I think the amounts of food are what got me into the trouble as much as what I ate," he said.

Now he's 50 pounds lighter, his blood pressure is normal, and he was able to stop one of his medications.

McGhee and Lecount are two men who are glad they made annual physicals a habit – one that could add years to their lives.