my doctor frustrated me this morning.

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Replies

  • Posts: 204 Member
    I totally get where you're coming from. I'm 5'2" as well and when I started at 185, the 40 lbs down to 145 was overwhelming enough. When I thought about 135 and that being 50 lbs, it made me feel like that might be something I couldn't accomplish and I was feeling defeated before I started. So. I set my original goal at 145. Right now, I'm at 152, feeling so close. But last week, I realized that with slow and steady work, I'm getting there, and dropped my goal to 130.

    Who knows, I may drop it again. Or I may not. I think it will come down to me and what feels right for me. At the very least, I know that I have already accomplished a lot and I am healthier, have tons more energy and am enjoying life more.

    Don't let the Drs or any other professionals looking in from outside your situation and perceptions stress you out. Just starting was an accomplishment and you've already done so much. Go you!
  • Posts: 1,155 Member
    I am only 6 days in so far, but so far in those 6 days I have completely gotten myself off soda, watched and counted my calorie intake, and went from 5 minutes on the elliptical to 30 minutes at a slow pace.
    So this morning, I went to the doctor just for the all clear. He asked me what my goal was, and I told him 36lbs, which would put me at 135 down from 171. He said uh hum. well for your height of 5'2, 135 is still on the overweight side. I would recommend going for at least a 45lb loss and get down to 125 range.
    So, should I just stick with my original 135, to me that seemed more doable and less overwhelming and it just kind of frustrated to hear my doctor basically say not good enough shoot for this.
    He told me that I should stay at 1400 calories and that 1200 was too low and I probably wouldn't lose at 1200, which is what I have been reading on here.
    So now I don't know if I should readjust my goal or just leave it alone.

    I'd definitely not listen to my doctor if I were you!!! Like who does this guy think he is?? some kind of expert?? in what the body and how it functions??? pfft people on the internet will know allot better!!! listen to them they are way way higher educated then your doctor! . . . . .

    /shakes head
  • Posts: 210 Member
    I say leave the goal the way you want too. You don't have to look as skinny as you did in high school. I'm 5'2" as well and when I get down too low, I don't look or feel as good. When you get in your 30's plus, you can be closer to 130-135 and look fine. That is the same goal I want to get too. I just gave up the soft drinks as well. Keep up the great progress you are making. Feel free to add me a as a friend.
  • Posts: 844 Member

    I'd definitely not listen to my doctor if I were you!!! Like who does this guy think he is?? some kind of expert?? in what the body and how it functions??? pfft people on the internet will know allot better!!! listen to them they are way way higher educated then your doctor! . . . . .

    /shakes head

    First of all, I didn't come here to say my doctor was wrong. I came here to see if I should go ahead and change my goal or not. I have decided, based on people to just leave it and reevaluate once I get to that point.
    Second of all, why be so rude? makes me really second guess this site.
    but nevermind. I think I will just leave the forums and stick to my own little world of calculating and keeping track of things.
  • Posts: 911 Member

    I'd definitely not listen to my doctor if I were you!!! Like who does this guy think he is?? some kind of expert?? in what the body and how it functions??? pfft people on the internet will know allot better!!! listen to them they are way way higher educated then your doctor! . . . . .

    /shakes head

    I agree that he isn't supposed to be your cheerleader, but telling you what is and what is not healthy. He's keeping you aware that at 5'2" what is and is not considered healthy.

    No matter what your goal is breaking it down into easy chunks makes it seem more attainable for most. Just because 35 pounds sounds easier, doesn't mean you can just ignore that 125/130 might be a better target weight for you at your height.

    I'm confused about the 1200/1400 calorie comment...that both him and MFP you've read to not eat at 1200 because eventually you wouldn't lose? Or that on MFP you've read that you can eat at 1200 and lose and be fine? If you are meaning he told you 1400 and MFP told you 1200, you are definitely reading what is said on MFP wrong.

    You've been doing this for 6 days, continue on with your goal. This will probably be the first bump in the road of many that will pop up. Just keep on keeping on.
  • Posts: 495 Member

    First of all, I didn't come here to say my doctor was wrong. I came here to see if I should go ahead and change my goal or not. I have decided, based on people to just leave it and reevaluate once I get to that point.
    Second of all, why be so rude? makes me really second guess this site.
    but nevermind. I think I will just leave the forums and stick to my own little world of calculating and keeping track of things.

    This site is not the problem. A handful of people who think it's funny/cool/whatever to be sarcastic or rude in their responses are the problem. Most people on here are nice and helpful but most of the time when you post something there are going to be a few irritating responses. Don't let them ruin your day. Either ignore them or report them if necessary. Keep up the hard work.
  • Posts: 9,532 Member
    I don't know, I just left there wishing I never went in there in the first place.

    If that's all it takes to have you questioning yourself like this, perhaps the root problem lies elsewhere.

    Nothing the doc said is particularly inconsistent with what you are already doing. Even the 1200 v 1400 thing is no big deal, as the error bars on the numbers are probably as big as the difference between the two numbers. If you want to change your target goal weight, do it, if you don't want to, don't do it, it makes no difference.

    Focus! And good luck! :drinker:
  • Posts: 411 Member
    I would stick with your current goal. The fact is that your doctor is using the BMI, which doesn't take into account bone or body structure. You may feel completely comfortable with your goal weight, or you may want to lose more... who knows?! Stick with what you have, and then if you feel good when you're done, stay at maintenance. If you feel like you want to lose more after, then lose more.

    I would be frustrated with my doctor too. How about a "good job, stick at it!" rather than "well, that's not quite good enough".

    You've got this!!
  • Posts: 2,212 Member

    I have decided, based on people to just leave it and reevaluate once I get to that point.

    I was gonna say... before this became a mean people / ragequit thread......

    Setting your goal wherever, and then re-evaluating sounds best. You have no idea what you will look like at any given weight.
  • Posts: 1,131 Member
    The answer .... how you look in the mirror is key.

    I am in maintenance now .. but my calorie deficit part was a bit of a failure. Why ... cause I lost too much fat and looked like **** at the end. I did get to my goal weight and my goal measurement but it was still a failure. Lesson learned and I hope others do not do what I did.

    So .. the whole goal weight thing is honestly dumb. It is not about a number on the scale, but more importantly your body composition numbers or more importantly how you feel and look.

    If I could do it again .. I would skip a goal weight (in my case it was about a goal measurement that got me off track). I got there .. but looked like hell.

    So .. disregard the whole goal weight thing. It is in many cases a road to disaster.
  • This is interesting because I had the opposite experience with my doctor.
    So healthy BMI is 18.5–24.9... You told your doctor your goal was 135 (BMI 24.7) in upper part of "normal."
    And he gave you a goal of 125 (BMI 22.9) alittle about the middle of normal BMI.
    I'm 5'5", I told my doctor my goal was 120lbs. (BMI 20- lower end of normal) That's the weight I've been through most of my adulthood so I guess that's why I picked it.
    He said my goal should be 145 (BMI 24.1- upper part of normal.)

    It didn't really bother me but I thought it was interesting. Doctors use BMI for weight goals but I wonder what makes them pick a certain weight within the range. Honestly... instead of focusing on an exact weight I think it'd be better to pick a range and assess as you go. I'll decide when I get to 145 if it feels right or not and if I want to switch to body recomp at maintenance or if I want to lose more. How I look and feel will probably be more important indicators than the number on the scale... although it is a good place to start goal setting.

    Don't let yourself get to riled up about it. I think if you'd gone to my doctor he would have agreed with your goal. :laugh:
  • Posts: 424 Member
    Doctors are for the most part insensitive or brash in most of there responses, the last one i went to didnt even look at me or introduce himself just read my transcrits off the pc. I also went to a gi doctor cause i thought i was having gallbladder issues per my primary doc advice and i had been exercising and eating right for about 6 mon and had lost 15 lbs. Im 5'2" also and at the time i weighed 135. When i said something about gallbladder issues affecting mostly female fat and over forty and that while i was a female and over 40 i wasnt fat, he said well your bmi IS 25 like really snarky. In other words be proud of yourself for taking the right steps for your health, 1400 calories will cause you to lose, pick up the weights and you might be suprised at how much you enjoy it and seeing results other than the scale. 135 with muscle will put you in the same size clothes as 125 thats skinny fat.
  • Posts: 95 Member

    I wasn't necessarily frustrated with HIM, but with the appt. I went in there thinking I had made great progress and it turned out it wasn't good enough.

    I think I will stick with my original goal and once I hit it, reevaluate.

    Don't sweat it. What you're doing to hit your goal IS great progress. Keep up the good work.

    I use smaller goals. My goal is not my ideal weight. It's what I find palatable to shoot for right now. Once I hit it I'll set a new goal. This will continue until I reach my maintenance goal. Small steps. You got this.
  • Posts: 911 Member

    If that's all it takes to have you questioning yourself like this, perhaps the root problem lies elsewhere.

    I was thinking the same thing....

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