My Doctor Said I Will Never Lose My Weight

johnstonkevin457

Seriously, a heart doctor told me "it's not gonna happen" when I told him my weight-loss plans. So naturally I am doing it. Down 60 pounds so far. 50 more to go. He said it because of my age: 66. What he didn't know is I am getting younger by the day.

Lietchi

Some doctors are better ignored! Well done for proving him wrong!

Hiker742

I lost 52lbs at age 72 and have kept it off for over a year. Any chance he was challenging your ego? If so, good on both of you. If not, good on you, Way to go. Start thinking about how you will maintain once you reach your goal. That was always my issue, maintaining.

lynneburgess714

Glad you proved him wrong! I am 63 and have lost 57lbs, we are proof it can be done!

tuckerrj

sunrise611 wrote: »

Time for a new doctor! That is ridiculous! And GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

Exactly. Why would you keep this doctor? He's obviously ill informed and not very conscientious.

FABRICWOMAN

Your cardiologist should have his licence suspended until you reach your goal. I am 68 and have lost 105 lbs. since 7/16/20. Keep up the good work.

julzhofmann

Wow! Congratulations on your weight-loss. I'm 57 and have lost 55 lbs. You should print out this entire string of responses and present it to that doctor...and then go find a new one who supports your goals and health.

AnnofB

Fantastic job!

higgkat1266

Congratulations! I needed to hear this, I have been so depressed at 54 and needing to lose 180 lbs. Who said we can't do this anyway??!!

meta4matt

Q- Do you know what they call the guy who graduated last in his class at medical school?

A- "Doctor"

corinasue1143

I love everyone’s spunk! Hurray for 2nd childhood!

alteredsteve175

I'm 66. I've lost 55 pounds and kept it off for two years. Your doctor is wrong.

Well done, sir! 👏👏👏

PAPYRUS3

tuckerrj wrote: »

sunrise611 wrote: »

Time for a new doctor! That is ridiculous! And GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

Exactly. Why would you keep this doctor? He's obviously ill informed and not very conscientious.

Oh...you must keep him just so you can go back there to show him what 'good' doctor he is...

ronronronj

Wow, a heart doctor with no heart . . .

Keep up the good work!

brenn24179

I am 67, lost 40 lbs, kept it off for past 3 years, yep, some guy told me at church well you wont keep it off, I had to prove him wrong.

Hollis100

johnstonkevin457 wrote: »

Seriously, a heart doctor told me "it's not gonna happen" when I told him my weight-loss plans. So naturally I am doing it. Down 60 pounds so far. 50 more to go. He said it because of my age: 66. What he didn't know is I am getting younger by the day.

Congrats for losing 60 pounds! You're doing great.

Grrrrr! The doctor's comment that you can't lose weight because of your age is ignorant and a form of prejudice against older people. I agree with others here -- find another doctor.

For what it's worth, I'm age 67. I lost 34 pounds over the last year, reached my goal, and have been successful in maintaining a normal weight. Anybody can lose weight at any age.

Zinka61

So many of us who are older are succeeding on here! Your doctor is ill-informed, and I'd say his statement was counter-productive, except look what it did--It gave you the motivation you needed! Unfortunately, his words won't have that effect on all or most of his patients. After my mother's massive heart attack at age 66, as she lay in a hospital bed, I discussed changing her diet and losing weight with her. She agreed, until her cardiologist entered the room, laughed, said, "Oh, you don't have to do all that--Who wants to live forever anyway?" and breezed out. In my heart I still hold that young woman responsible for the years of endless small strokes, vascular dementia, heart attacks and blood clots that filled my mother's remaining years, robbing her of a quality life. Most doctors know so little about nutrition or exercise, yet they are seen as the ultimate authority. Don't get me wrong--I am grateful for what doctors do know and can do for us, but a dietician is probably the one to consult about diet and weight loss.

Sand_TIger

I'd like to think the doctor knew you well enough to challenge you - that being the quickest way to get you to succeed - but even if not, great job!

poisonesse

Two words. CHANGE DOCTORS! I had a heart stent put in 8 years ago, at age 61...first meeting with my cardiologist a month later and he asked me to lose 20 pounds. He said more would be good, but 20 just to give it a try. I'm now down 45 pounds and reached goal a few years ago. Now I just maintain (though I DID add 15 pounds of that danged Covid weight), and at ALL times through the years, my cardiologist has been behind me, giving tips, offering suggestions... and at NO time did he give the impression that he didn't think I could do it. So yeah... CHANGE DOCTORS!

Mizz_Mo

poisonesse wrote: »

Two words. CHANGE DOCTORS! I had a heart stent put in 8 years ago, at age 61...first meeting with my cardiologist a month later and he asked me to lose 20 pounds. He said more would be good, but 20 just to give it a try. I'm now down 45 pounds and reached goal a few years ago. Now I just maintain (though I DID add 15 pounds of that danged Covid weight), and at ALL times through the years, my cardiologist has been behind me, giving tips, offering suggestions... and at NO time did he give the impression that he didn't think I could do it. So yeah... CHANGE DOCTORS!

I agree with 'poisonesse', you need to change doctors. If your doctor knows you well enough that s/he knew you would do the exact opposite of what s/he recommended (based on your previous history) that doctor may have been challenging you. If this is not the case, you need to find a new doctor.

If this was a legit statement with no regard to your medical history, then also go to Vitals.com and write a review so others can avoid this one.

Motorsheen

I could have been a doctor.




..... if it wasn't for all of that school science.

mjglantz

Get a new doctor! I started changing the way I eat and move at age 61 and lost about 50 lbs BEFORE having heart attack. Continued to lose weight and have lost over 80 lbs and kept it off for over 8 years. It can be done.

PepeLPew

johnstonkevin457 wrote: »

Seriously, a heart doctor told me "it's not gonna happen" when I told him my weight-loss plans. So naturally I am doing it. Down 60 pounds so far. 50 more to go. He said it because of my age: 66. What he didn't know is I am getting younger by the day.

"Live well - it is the best revenge".

I would be tempted to print out your MFP eating history and any exercise you've done, along with a nice graph of your weight loss and send it for the doctor's reading.

tuddy315

YOU GO!!! Tell your doctor to take a hike! I'm 68 and down 40lbs. We can do this!!

Zee48

No offense but that doctor is an idiot. Or perhaps he was trying to goad you in to doing it. Congratulations on your loss and continued success. I admit that at 72 it is much harder for me to lose that it was at 50 or 60 but it is doable if we do it.

Grimmerick

There is a good saying I always keep in mind when it comes to "experts and professionals". Not everybody graduates at the head of the class......Some of them barely made it.

johnstonkevin457

The people who say something can't be done are interrupting the people who are doing it.

solieco1

Perhaps he was trying to give you the motivation that he did? He may be incredibly happy and pleased with your determination and success. In any case, WELL DONE!

FABRICWOMAN

higgkat1266 wrote: »

Congratulations! I needed to hear this, I have been so depressed at 54 and needing to lose 180 lbs. Who said we can't do this anyway??!!

Higgkatt, never say never. We are never too old to take care of ourselves. I wish you the best in your health journey. I was also one who at first doubted myself that I could lose weight. Take one day at a time.

Lietchi

alteredsteve175 wrote: »

LAT1963 wrote: »

Maybe you're a sucker for reverse psychology?

Statistically speaking, most people in that age group fail at the effort, so he was making a pretty safe bet.

That is a true statement. A lot of success stories have been posted here. That's great and I applaud every one of you.

But most people fail at weight loss. I've done it myself. Numerous times.

johnstonkevin457 wrote: »

@LAT1963 Please go away and don't come back.

Telling people to go away because they speak an uncomfortable truth is rude.

The thing is : it's not a doctor's job to win bets (betting on the most likely outcome), it's his job to help his patient. While failure might be the most likely outcome, I find doctors who discourage even trying to overcome the numbers (instead of helping them to avoid the pitfalls) deplorable. These are people's lives we're taking about.

mrmota70

johnstonkevin457 wrote: »

Seriously, a heart doctor told me "it's not gonna happen" when I told him my weight-loss plans. So naturally I am doing it. Down 60 pounds so far. 50 more to go. He said it because of my age: 66. What he didn't know is I am getting younger by the day.

Get a new Dr. congrats keep on at it…