Has your doctor ever told you....?

iambrandice
iambrandice Posts: 157 Member
edited September 19 in Motivation and Support
My doctor is this little older woman from Asia and she calls me "cutie pie" every time I have an appointment. But each time I go, she tells me I need to eat less food. Has your doctor told you that before? Maybe not exactly worded like that.... but mine said those words exactly. It's kind of a kick in the face, when you KNOW that you haven't been eating right and the doctor still has to tell you.

The last time I went, my doctor told me that I was technically obese, because I weighed 175 and was 5'2'' (that was 5lbs ago). That really hurt to hear. I know that I should take it too hard and think that I'm "fat" or whatever, but it's based on BMI, which was created for a reason.

That day in the doctor's office, I ended up crying because I had been trying to eat healthier, but I just didn't know how, even though I'd tried. I just kept gaining weight. ALL of the women in my family on both sides are overweight or obese and I told my doctor I really don't want to end up like that, and I said that I am going to try really hard to get healthier.

Well, now that I have discovered MFP and have started losing weight, I cannot WAIT to go back to the doctor and show her that I have been losing weight and really working to get healthier. I can't wait to hit 164 lbs as my first goal, because then I will only be "overweight" and not "obese" according to the BMI chart. I'm taking it one step at a time.

Thanks for everyone's support so far, and good luck to everyone on their journey to live a happier and healthier life! :glasses:

Replies

  • iambrandice
    iambrandice Posts: 157 Member
    My doctor is this little older woman from Asia and she calls me "cutie pie" every time I have an appointment. But each time I go, she tells me I need to eat less food. Has your doctor told you that before? Maybe not exactly worded like that.... but mine said those words exactly. It's kind of a kick in the face, when you KNOW that you haven't been eating right and the doctor still has to tell you.

    The last time I went, my doctor told me that I was technically obese, because I weighed 175 and was 5'2'' (that was 5lbs ago). That really hurt to hear. I know that I should take it too hard and think that I'm "fat" or whatever, but it's based on BMI, which was created for a reason.

    That day in the doctor's office, I ended up crying because I had been trying to eat healthier, but I just didn't know how, even though I'd tried. I just kept gaining weight. ALL of the women in my family on both sides are overweight or obese and I told my doctor I really don't want to end up like that, and I said that I am going to try really hard to get healthier.

    Well, now that I have discovered MFP and have started losing weight, I cannot WAIT to go back to the doctor and show her that I have been losing weight and really working to get healthier. I can't wait to hit 164 lbs as my first goal, because then I will only be "overweight" and not "obese" according to the BMI chart. I'm taking it one step at a time.

    Thanks for everyone's support so far, and good luck to everyone on their journey to live a happier and healthier life! :glasses:
  • alapointe
    alapointe Posts: 369 Member
    You have just described my last trip to the doctor almost exactly. Except he told me i was morbidly obese and I may not be around for my daughter if i didn't stop overeating. Well that kicked my butt into gear, and i am doing this so I can be there for my daughter when she grows up.

    I can't wait to go back and say look what i did. They even pull up a graph on the computer of your weight history every time you have been there. I can't wait to see the very steep line going down.

    You can do this, just keep thinking i will show them.
  • hibbler22
    hibbler22 Posts: 339 Member
    She wants you to be on a strict green diet! That means salads and veggies! My doctor told me that I needed to be on a strict diet, I looked at him like he was crazy! I just excercised and cut back! But I think this month Im going to try an health approach. But dont worry, keep doing what your doing! You can get that weight off! Cheer up! Im about to eat a piece of chocolate chip cookie for you okay!:happy:
  • ivykivy
    ivykivy Posts: 2,970 Member
    Her statement was idiotic at best. What is less food? Unless she provided you with a definite plan or at least a referral to a dietician then.... Not to mention you could have a thyroid problem or other problem where a lot 'less food' might do more harm than good.
  • iambrandice
    iambrandice Posts: 157 Member
    That's true. It's a good thing I didn't take it to heart too much, because I see those kinds of comments leading some teenage girls to eating disorders!
  • hibbler22
    hibbler22 Posts: 339 Member
    That's true. It's a good thing I didn't take it to heart too much, because I see those kinds of comments leading some teenage girls to eating disorders!

    Yes it does, people always say negative things that lead to over eating habits. Instead of encouraging them to do certain things or make suggestions to see a dietician or nutritionist (sp). Im learning not to stress eat, so when people say negative things, I pack up and go to the gym or for a walk.:flowerforyou:
  • Rachael
    Rachael Posts: 168 Member
    YES! Two years ago I went to see my doc. She walked into the exam room and yelled, "Oh my God, what happened?" She freaked me out, I thought I was dying! I asked her what was wrong and she said, "You've gained 15 lbs since last year!" What??? Thanks doc! Then she proceeded to tell me I needed to lose weight but, she said, "I'm going to run a bunch of tests just to cover my @$$!" A few weeks after the appointment, I got my test results in the mail. Everything was normal except my cholesterol which was slightly high. She circled the number and wrote, "LOSE WEIGHT!!!"

    Yep, that's my doc. Believe it or not, I really like her.

    Luckily, last year when I went to see her, I was down about 7 lbs. I have never seen a more excited doctor. I'm really looking forward to my appointment in a couple months :laugh:

    Keep doing what you're doing! You're on the right track! Good luck :flowerforyou:
  • chandhole
    chandhole Posts: 45
    I had the same experience. :grumble: Twice actually. Both times he pulled out the BMI wheel thingy and showed me how according to BMI I was OBESE. :noway: That particular word really made me laugh as that didn't quite fit with my own self image. I discounted it a bit when of course you have to factor in body type. I think I even gave him a free ticket to the guns show to show him, "how could I be obese? Look at my pipes!" :laugh:

    Luckily BMI is just a guideline. :glasses: For me, to get down to the outside of the target BMI zone for my height and weight is the goal. Doc agrees. So 180 here I come. Don't think I've weighed 180 since I was 16! Even at 190 - 200 I will be happy as weight isn't everything.

    Good luck!:drinker:
  • charliesgold
    charliesgold Posts: 235 Member
    40+lbs ago my doctor told me the same thing because I was having some health issues and losing some weight would help fix them. I was devastated to hear it but it gave me the kick in the pants I needed to get moving. It is awful to hear though :(
  • kerrilucko
    kerrilucko Posts: 3,852 Member
    I've never had that experience, but I wish I had. I would have loved for a doctor to tell me I was at serious rick and that I should lose weight back when I was 20 or 30 or 40 lbs too heavy. It would have been just the kick in the butt I needed. Instead I had to figure it out myself when I had 70 lbs to go! I think most doctors won't comment on your weight unless you ASK them specifically or if you have a serious health risk or problem. I think that's so wrong, be glad your doctors commented- it's their job to inform you of how to stay healthy! :flowerforyou:
  • gemfrire
    gemfrire Posts: 110 Member
    Well let me chime in here...a couple of days before Christmas last year I went in to see my doc and he ordered blood work done...bright and early on 12/26 i got a call from him personally stating that I had to change NOW or I would be a diabetic by summer. He added to come see him if I wanted to change. I was in his office that afternoon! We talked about what i was currently doing (WW) but that i was stalled and he suggested I try something new..like South Beach. On my way home I stopped at the bookstore and picked up a book on SB and now I am down 21 lbs since that day.
    LIke everyone else I cannot wait to go back in and show him that I heard what he was saying and changed! My appt is not until June - right after my cruise to Alaska - so that will be motivation not to overeat on vacation. But it is Alaska..lots of salmon, right?

    My doc's comments were a wake up call for me..but he talked me through a plan and for that I am so grateful.
  • Binxy2004
    Binxy2004 Posts: 65
    Well let me chime in here...a couple of days before Christmas last year I went in to see my doc and he ordered blood work done...bright and early on 12/26 i got a call from him personally stating that I had to change NOW or I would be a diabetic by summer. He added to come see him if I wanted to change. I was in his office that afternoon! We talked about what i was currently doing (WW) but that i was stalled and he suggested I try something new..like South Beach. On my way home I stopped at the bookstore and picked up a book on SB and now I am down 21 lbs since that day.
    LIke everyone else I cannot wait to go back in and show him that I heard what he was saying and changed! My appt is not until June - right after my cruise to Alaska - so that will be motivation not to overeat on vacation. But it is Alaska..lots of salmon, right?

    My doc's comments were a wake up call for me..but he talked me through a plan and for that I am so grateful.


    I too had this conversation with my doctor :cry: it was scary and totally broadsided me. the day i left the office i felt like i had been hit by a truck! taking it all in stride i signed up with mfp and started eating right! i feel great and i know she will be happy when i come back in a month for another blood glucose test!
  • iTim__
    iTim__ Posts: 6,823 Member
    Hey Cutie Pie! Your next Dr.'s visit is going to be great. :smile:
  • Vanessa1969
    Vanessa1969 Posts: 144 Member
    Unfortunately, people in the medical field are notorious for having bedside manners that are not the best in the world. Also, your doctor might have had great results with other patients using that tactic, so she continues to use it with everyone. Sometimes, as others have pointed out, that is exactly what people need to hear to get their butts in gear.
    Sometimes it doesn't work, though. Sometimes it results in people doing the complete opposite.
    You just have to remember that her comment was made in your best interest, and not let it get you down. I wish my doctor had made a comment like that to me (she never would, even after my knee surgery!) because I am someone who is spurned on by criticism like that.
    You're going to do ok, and be healthier for it.
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