Not very overweight, will doc take me seriously?

CourtneyHelen
CourtneyHelen Posts: 6 Member
edited October 2017 in Introduce Yourself
Been teetering on the edge of the healthy weight for my height for past couple years, definitely spilled into the overweight category a few times! Every time I gain weight again after losing it seems to go my waist no matter where I lost it from. My waist is now 85.5cm (33.5inch) an all time high and so is my weight at 68kg(150 pounds).

I am quite concerned about my waist measurement due to the health risks of visceral fat. I want to see a doctor for a check but I am concerned I won't be taken seriously because at a glance I do not look that overweight. Obviously with this thick of a waist I do have a bit of a gut but my boobs and bum and good posture seem to balance it out and my friends all act like I'm crazy when I say I'm on a diet etc.

The numbers don't lie. My waist is well over the healthy limit of 80cm and so is my weight (at 162cm I have a bmi of 26). Am I fat enough to bring it up with a doctor or will they laugh at me?

EDIT: I'm female, 26 years old :)

Replies

  • amtyrell
    amtyrell Posts: 1,447 Member
    A good doctor will never laugh at you for health concerns.
    A steady tracking of calories in vs out set MFP to 0.5 lbs a week and you should lose the excess in am easy and steady manmer
  • DanyellMcGinnis
    DanyellMcGinnis Posts: 315 Member
    Also, from your username, it sounds like you are female. Not sure of your age, but it might be worth asking about fibroids. I lost a lot of weight in 2016 but my waistline was a bigger pants size than my legs and rear end. I just assumed that's how my body was, but during a physical, the doctor found a mass in my abdomen. Several scans later and it is a large fibroid that is making me look several months pregnant (when I am not).
  • CourtneyHelen
    CourtneyHelen Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks for the responses! Yes I am female sorry I forgot to say that :) yet another reason to have a check up, thank's for the insight :)
  • evilpoptart63
    evilpoptart63 Posts: 397 Member
    You are pretty close to the normal range for your height :) losing 2.5 inches will get you there. You cant help where you store or lose fat (I hold onto it more in my stomach too!) A doctor should never laugh at you for bringing it up but you should be able to drop the inches by burning more calories than your consuming. Good luck :smiley:
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    Eat at a deficit, lose weight. If body composition is a problem, incorporate exercise, a mix of cardio and strength training will help. But eat at a deficit until you are well within your normal BMI range and you don't need a doctor. Unless you're looking for a quick fix/prescription. I'd opt for the diet and exercise like most everyone here at MFP. You can do it!
  • CourtneyHelen
    CourtneyHelen Posts: 6 Member
    Spliner1969, what would you classify as well within the normal bmi range? I have been between 25-26bmi for past couple of years so not sure...
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    What are you hoping the doctor can provide for you? You already think you are a little overweight and a waist size over 33inches puts you at some increased risk of health issues.

    Unless you have any specific symptoms I would worry less about having a check-up and more about trying to lose some weight using MFP. If you continue to gain weight eating at or below a maintenance level then yes, get checked out, but otherwise choose a small deficit and stick to that.
  • CourtneyHelen
    CourtneyHelen Posts: 6 Member
    edited October 2017
    @girlinahat I mostly want to get my blood pressure and cholesterol checked, as well as have some more motivation to lose weight :)
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    Ask your doctor about your waist measurement in particular. There are several medical issues that can cause abdominal weight gain - fibroids have already been mentioned, but pcos, Cushing's, and metabolic syndrome can also cause this. My abdominal weight gain was due to a benign ovarian tumor pumping out cortisol, and a year after the ovary was removed, my waist is finally starting to come down in size. Most likely you're fine but your doctor may want to do blood work to rule out problems. Your size is close enough to normal that very likely a doctor won't notice unless you bring it up.

    Many conditions associated with increased waist circumference are benefitted by regular strength and cardio training, as well as weight loss.


  • CourtneyHelen
    CourtneyHelen Posts: 6 Member
    Thank you @rheddmobile , this is also why I wish to consult a doctor to ensure there are no other underlying issues :) thanks for the input :)
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Anyone, healthy weight or not, should get regular physicals with blood work. Last time I got one, I was well within the healthy limit but mentioned I wanted to lose more and my doctor was supportive.
  • Lean59man
    Lean59man Posts: 714 Member
    edited October 2017
    A doctor can check your vitals but what else can he tell you really?

    Are you looking for him to tell you to lose 10 lbs?

    He sees people all day long with serious health issues and he is supposed to worry about you having an extra inch or two on your waist?

    If you are not happy with your body then make changes.

    Work for total body health which means exercise and good nutrition. This will lead you too lose those extra lbs around your waist and keep them off.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    CourtneyHelen wrote: »
    Spliner1969, what would you classify as well within the normal bmi range? I have been between 25-26bmi for past couple of years so not sure...

    BMI can be misleading, but as a general guideline it can help. Someone with a lot of muscle mass can technically be classified as overweight by the BMI standards. But, in general, the BMI charts are what the doctors will use to classify you as overweight or not. Generally under 25 BMI I believe is considered normal weight. So if you can get down to under that, you'd be in better shape, unless of course there are circumstances like I mentioned.. having a lot of muscle mass. If you are particularly short or very tall it can also be a bit misleading but generally the BMI calculators you find will take that into consideration.

    Try this one:

    http://www.smartbmicalculator.com/

    I've used it in the past, and it's what I set my goal with. I currently am somewhere in the 23.9 range and although I have a goal of losing about six pounds currently to get my body fat percentage a bit lower this calculator suggests it's not necessary. Hope it's helpful, but keep in mind any extenuating circumstances. I have a co-worker who's all muscle. He's completely ripped and is, by the BMI standards, overweight. Sometimes the old BMI charts just don't make a lot of sense for everyone so take it with a grain of salt.
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    edited October 2017
    CourtneyHelen wrote: »
    Thank you @rheddmobile , this is also why I wish to consult a doctor to ensure there are no other underlying issues :) thanks for the input :)

    If you are uncertain about your blood pressure or think you're having issues with it, definitely consult a doctor. If it's a touch high (it always is when you're in a doctor's office it seems because most people are nervous about it) sometimes they'll tell you it's not uncommon. However, if it's shockingly high they should be concerned and so should you. Can't hurt to get it checked. Mine was 'borderline' high for many years when I was overweight. It didn't get to the point where they were overly concerned until I hit morbidly obese. But when I was overweight it was just a 'little high'. The same month they prescribed my medication to help was the same month I started taking my health seriously. I was off the medication within the first six months of my journey here at MFP.

    Edit: I guess my original point was that you don't need a doctor to take you seriously. You're already here so you're at least thinking about losing weight and getting in better shape. You can do it, and whether or not your doctor is concerned or gives you any motivation doesn't really matter. Look in the mirror and tell yourself you're going to lose weight and get in shape. Do it for yourself not for someone else (doctor, etc.). You are what matters, not someone else's opinion (beyond obvious possible health reasons).
  • CourtneyHelen
    CourtneyHelen Posts: 6 Member
    I suspect my blood pressure is high as I'm overweight :) thanks for the input I appreciate it :)
  • crackpotbaby
    crackpotbaby Posts: 1,297 Member
    Lots of medical conditions cause abdominal girth increase.

    Localised weight gain and abdominal size increase is not always fat and not always related to diet/caloric intake.

    Your doctor should listen to your concerns and assess for signs of conditions that can present with this kind of symptom and refer for further investigation if warranted.

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