Outside pressure,inside struggle.

enjayer
enjayer Posts: 46 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I'm a female doctor who is unfit/overweight,which has become a massive mental burden. I used to be quite fit, running, gymming it a lot but with the increased pressure of work hours, specialty exams (full time work + full time study) and a lot of stress, I seem to have let myself go. If i'm being 100% honest, I haven't done a proper workout in 2 months and had been very patchy before that.

Being the biggest female (at 5 foot 7, 158 pounds OR 72 kgs, 170 cms) in a department full of super fit doctors who seem to be able to "do it all" has made me feel very insecure, feel like a failure and has sapped what little motivation I had left. In my job, people don't forgive mistakes and imperfections at all and I've noticed that we're expected to be fit, social, smart, work hard, study hard and have a work life balance, whilst always maintaining a high standard.Because we work in health, being unfit is also a cardinal sin. So, this is me asking for help. I've just changed my food diary settings to public (i've let my eating habits lapse in the last few weeks, please don't judge too harshly!) and just need some motivation, something to help me get started on the right track. My goal is to weigh 142 pounds/65kg but I just need to start. Any advice, support, motivation, anything would be appreciated right now!

Replies

  • Missi3601
    Missi3601 Posts: 264
    welcome- I hope that mfp can be a good tool for you, as it has been for me! feel free to add me for support, I'm logged in seveal times daily and try to be supportive to all of my mfp friends. I honestly think this is a great start- I was the same weight for six years prior to using mfp.The people on here are a huge help! Best of luck on your journey!
  • AABru
    AABru Posts: 610 Member
    Having a public position makes it extra hard for you to feel good about yourself, doesn't it? I teach highschool, and the constant pressure to perform, have continuing education, good "customer service," and balance my two small children and house work have been a bit of my ruin as well (oh, and a semester of Organic Chem AARRRGGHHH). I asked for help from my close collegues. I have lunch with the same gal every day. Twice a week I do yoga with another. I sponsor a fitness club that is presently doing Zumba twice a week (and I workout with my students). I walk with another teacher a couple times a week as well. Utilize the resources you have available, even if they are people. Does your hospital have a gym? Stress relief classes? Use them! You can do it! You have nothing to feel bad or guilty about. Having to struggle with your own body will make you a BETTER doctor...think about the great practical advice you can give your patients...BTW, we are the same height, and I am 185 pounds. My BMI is overweight. I wear a size 12 and carry a LOT of muscle, but am working my way towards losing another 20 pounds. YOU CAN DO IT!:flowerforyou:
  • enjayer
    enjayer Posts: 46 Member
    Thanks guys! Absolutely AABru, sometimes being in a public position makes it impossible! I know exactly what you mean though, after racing around every waking moment of the day, time to work out isn't always the first thing on my mind. My hospital doesn't have a gym or stress relief classes unfortunately... It's one of the old school styles where you are either recognised as anxious clinically depressed or fine, there's no in between.

    Fantastic to have someone the same height who can empathise though! I'm a size 12 too, significantly less muscle though. Hopefully I'll get there, just a bit daunting, I know lots of people have lost large amounts of weight but the 16 pounds I have to get rid of seems insurmountable! Being a perfectionist type of person with black and white thinking sometimes, can anyone give any advice on a realistic time frame? I know I can be my own worst enemy at times so unbiased advice is appreciated :)
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