Do I need a different doctor?

thursdaystgiles

My regular doctor went on maternity leave and she was working with me about my weight loss issues--how despite a very active lifestyle and healthy diet of whole foods and low sugar/low carb (particularly complex carbs), my weight loss had plateaued and wasn't going down. I'd changed up my physical activity and lowered my caloric intake further, and still I wasn’t seeing weight loss, and I'm *very* healthy in every other way (low cholesterol, good bp, blood tests all clear, no deficiencies) so she was talking about sending me to a specialist...but then she went on leave.

The doctor I’ve been referred to for now told me that plateaus just happen (which I'm not really disagreeing with, but this one has been going for almost a year of not fluctuating more than a couple pounds no matter what I do), and told me unless I enjoy working out, I really don't need to bother, then suggested I check out the South Beach diet.

Now, look, I know that weight loss comes from diet, not exercise, primarily, but I CANNOT believe a doctor would tell me not to bother with exercise unless I like it??? And recommending the South Beach Diet?? A fad diet?

So should I try to get a different doctor? Or does this sound like the sort of advice I can expect, regardless?

enterdanger

I think if you don't like this doctor, don't think you'll listen to them, and aren't getting a warm fuzzy you should change doctors.

It's hard to take advice from someone if you don't trust them. It's like buying a shirt that you tried on and really didn't love. You get it home and never wear it.

cmriverside

I stay with my doctor even though she gives me lame advice on things like weight and nutrition and exercise. I like her for the most part and doctors aren't really trained in nutrition. Without knowing anything about you, I'm not going to address it either.

Why don't you look for a Registered Dietician for help?

I mean, if you think you have an endocrine issue, ask for bloodwork and/or a referral to an endocrinologist.

kshama2001

It would be hard for me to stay with a doctor with that attitude towards exercise no matter how good she was in other departments. There are plenty of reasons to exercise other than losing weight. All doctors should encourage any patient who can exercise to exercise.

We might be able to help with your plateau if you change your Diary Sharing settings to Public: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings

kmann76

Have you tried high intensity interval training first thing in the morning on an empty stomach? Can help push through a plateau. Are you still trying to lose a lot or are you pretty close to goal?
As a doctor I can't imagine another doctor advising you not to exercise, maybe s/he just meant not to kill yourself with strenuous exercise unless you love it, but maintaining some level of activity is important, obviously.

itsbasschick

i have never met a doctor in my entire life who knew anything useful about weight gain or loss or diet (i don't mean weight loss diets but the food we eat). maybe you could ask your doctor for a referral to a dietician, but i went to a couple who didn't seem to know much either, so use your common sense, too.

the bottom line - eat less calories to lose weight. it's really that simple. you can work out, but if your main concern is losing weight, consume less calories.

btw, if you don't feel a connection to this doctor, find one you like. we have to trust doctors with our most intimate selves, so it makes sense to find a doctor who makes us feel comfortable.

Seffell

thursdaystgiles wrote: »

The doctor I’ve been referred to for now told me that plateaus just happen (which I'm not really disagreeing with, but this one has been going for almost a year of not fluctuating more than a couple pounds no matter what I do), and told me unless I enjoy working out, I really don't need to bother, then suggested I check out the South Beach diet.

Have you tried measuring all your food/drinks with a digital scale and then logging it here? Eating healthy is not enough (it doesn't even matter for weight loss). You need to eat less than you burn to lose weight and if you're not losing (for a year) then you're not eating less than you burn (conservation of energy).

ReaderGirl3

thursdaystgiles wrote: »

My regular doctor went on maternity leave and she was working with me about my weight loss issues--how despite a very active lifestyle and healthy diet of whole foods and low sugar/low carb (particularly complex carbs), my weight loss had plateaued and wasn't going down. I'd changed up my physical activity and lowered my caloric intake further, and still I wasn’t seeing weight loss, and I'm *very* healthy in every other way (low cholesterol, good bp, blood tests all clear, no deficiencies) so she was talking about sending me to a specialist...but then she went on leave.

The doctor I’ve been referred to for now told me that plateaus just happen (which I'm not really disagreeing with, but this one has been going for almost a year of not fluctuating more than a couple pounds no matter what I do), and told me unless I enjoy working out, I really don't need to bother, then suggested I check out the South Beach diet.

Now, look, I know that weight loss comes from diet, not exercise, primarily, but I CANNOT believe a doctor would tell me not to bother with exercise unless I like it??? And recommending the South Beach Diet?? A fad diet?

So should I try to get a different doctor? Or does this sound like the sort of advice I can expect, regardless?

I'm not seeing anywhere in this post you talking about how you're accurately tracking all the food you're eating, using a food scale to measure out portion sizes (in grams), and are staying within an appropriate calorie deficit (you say you've lowered your calories further, but what does that mean exactly?) Those are the 3 things you need to be focusing on, in order to lose weight. Exercising and eating 'whole' foods doesn't cause weight loss, eating at the right calorie deficit for your goals does.

Your diary is locked so we can't look at it-making it public would be helpful, so we can look things over and offer suggestions.

dragon_girl26

itsbasschick wrote: »

i have never met a doctor in my entire life who knew anything useful about weight gain or loss or diet (i don't mean weight loss diets but the food we eat). maybe you could ask your doctor for a referral to a dietician, but i went to a couple who didn't seem to know much either, so use your common sense, too.

the bottom line - eat less calories to lose weight. it's really that simple. you can work out, but if your main concern is losing weight, consume less calories.

btw, if you don't feel a connection to this doctor, find one you like. we have to trust doctors with our most intimate selves, so it makes sense to find a doctor who makes us feel comfortable.

The last time I went to my doctor and told her I was losing weight, she asked me if I was using MFP. When I said yes, she told me she gained weight using it. While she was happy I was having success, she looked really confused, and looked to me like hopefully I could give her advice.
Sooo..yeah, she's a great doctor otherwise, but not so much on the nutrition advice. Lesson learned there...stick with the Registered Dieticians.

LazSommer

Get a new food scale.

RoseTheWarrior

New doctor and new food scale are definitely in order.

TxTiffani

How much more do you need/are you trying to lose?

cwolfman13

The exercise (or lack thereof) recommendation is odd. The SB diet is actually a pretty good plan for both weight loss and maintenance. I more or less eat similarly to phase III. It's just an emphasis on whole foods...lots of veg, some fruit, whole grains and starches, legumes, lean proteins, and healthy fats. I would say it's probably the least "faddy" of fad diets.

jellio98

How long is your regular doctor on maternity leave? Waiting an extra month or three can be frustrating, but auditioning new doctors doesn't sound much better. And in the end, it might take several months to find a doctor you like and get a referral to a specialist. I personally would use the new guy if I absolutely needed to see a doctor, but otherwise wait for my normal dr to get back.

hekla90

A year long plateau means you are eating at maintenance. If you want a new doctor that's up to you. Otherwise, weigh your food and trach accurately. My guess is your numbers in or out are probably off.

Christine_72

If you're not weighing your food and logging every single thing you eat and drink honestly AND accurately. Then I would start there before consulting with a specialist.

toe1226

many doctor's don't have the insight, time, or bedside manner to manage weight loss advice (and many doctor's do)- however this may not be your general practitioner or obgyn's specialty (it's not why they got into the game, a nutritionist or RD might be more passionate about this kind of thing, and have more experience communicating it) - still, anytime you fundamentally disagree with your doctor, or they do something that leads you to feel a lack of trust, I say bail. In the event that you ever do really need your clinician, you should trust them, better off finding one you trust.

Traveler120

If you're not losing, you're simply eating too many calories for your level of activity. Either eat less or move even more or both. It's not a medical mystery.

amber76bailey

Have you had your thyroid levels checked?