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Good evening or very early morning, everybody! As you may know, I went to my doctor's appt yesterday. I thought that it went pretty well. My blood pressure was a little high (149/??), 291 pounds with a BMI of 51.56 (Side Note: I am also on my period. I could weigh less). Yes, I certainly have some work to do. I started my journey at 327 pounds (Maybe even higher). The nurse seemed pleased with my drop. I remembered to bring my blood pressure monitor from home. I wanted to show the doctor that I have been watching and storing my readings during the pandemic. The nurse sent me out to the waiting room and then the doctor called my name. She asked me how I was doing, discussed what was going on with my health, etc. I felt that she was initially a little judgmental by the way she addressed my slight weight loss from the time I last saw her to now. I believe that I was 304-305 when I last saw her pre-Covid taking off. I was honest with her. I told her, "I admit that I went a little out of control at the start of this pandemic. I was able to get it under control about 2-3 months ago and jumped back on the wagon." I ordered food delivery most nights. "What have you been doing since I last saw you? What are you doing for exercise? You really need to lose weight to get your conditions under control," she told me. I replied, "I know that." I really do. Am I ignorant to that fact? Does she see me as a lazy sloth? Maybe I was for some time. I continued, "My gym has been closed for the past few months. I decided to start walking around my neighborhood several times a week. I have also been running up and down the steps in my apartment building. My gym is currently open, and I am there 3-4 times per week right now."
The doctor realized right then that I lost 36+ pounds since January. Suddenly, she was absolutely excited over the cumulative amount. She exclaimed, "I am so proud of you! I know that it's hard!" I told her, "I can't wait to be 200 or less again!" She replied, "Just take your time. One day at a time. It's going to take some time. It's extremely hard." Yup, no shit. Why did she sound so judgmental when she was looking at the loss between the time that I saw her until now and all of a sudden was incredibly happy and astounded when she counted the total since January?! This is why people avoid going to the doctor! I don't think they realize how they come across sometimes. It can be defeating when you feel like you are so far gone but trying to grab hold of what you can be. I know that they mean well, of course. They are only being honest. I just feel like there is a lot of doctor-patient discrimination against overweight and obese women across the board. Maybe I am sensitive - I've always been and I've always taken things to heart even though I don't admit this most of the time (I am getting better at expressing myself. I am gaining that confidence as I age). I am much better now than what I was. I don't take things to heart much anymore. I am progressing on being objective when it comes to this matter and asserting honesty within myself. I KNOW that the doctor is only being honest and trying to help. I am happy that she finished the session by recognizing my hard work.
You know, maybe I could have lost more. The fact is that I lost though. I didn't GAIN especially during the damn pandemic when people are losing or gaining. I had some setbacks like my pizza delivery nights, true. I am still -36 pounds. I still have a very long way to go. My doctor wants to see me in 2 months. She also ordered bloodwork which I had taken on site. Has anybody ever had experiences like this? It can be rough but try to roll it off your back and keep on moving! Keep plowing forward, everybody, no matter what anybody says or thinks!!!! :) Rise above!
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 Comments
surprise the DR. with what you can do when motivated!!!!!!
07 Aug 20 by member: elizabethknappert
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Thank you! That's what I took from that appt too! I am highly motivated! Thanks Doc! 🏃💪
07 Aug 20 by member: Shelly25
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Quite frankly there is a lot of discrimination around being obese and people (including doctors) are judgmental. I am glad the doctor came around however the desire to make a difference in your weight has to be from you. The doctor is, of course, right that weight is a big problem health wise and of course you know that. But you have to start where you are at right now and so no point berating yourself (or letting the doctor do it!) for what has already happened. So right now, right here you have lost 36 pounds and have a plan! You are building healthy routines and looking for sustainability. You are on a good path. All you can do in the moment. By the way, I was 321 pounds at my highest so I know how that feels. Presently about 190 something. Still a work in progress. You have got this.
07 Aug 20 by member: 59Carol
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Thank you so much, 59Carol! Awesome job on your weight loss! Congratulations! I agree. I shouldn't allow anybody to berate me including and especially myself. It is an incredible journey, a life shattering one that I have to make on my own. Only I can make that choice and follow with the work. I am definitely looking for sustainability.
07 Aug 20 by member: Shelly25
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It is life transforming with many small victories along the way. It doesn't shatter you though. It makes you stronger and if anything more whole. It is interesting as the pounds come off how people, especially strangers, treat you differently. That is when I realized just how prevalent obese discrimination actually is, is when it went away! Small sustainable goals is the best way of no more than 10 pounds at a time or even 5 is good. Recognize that 1 to 2 pounds a week is good healthy weight loss. We didn't gain it overnight and we are certainly not going to lose it overnight! If you lose about 50 pounds in a year that is good. It is likely not going to be much more than that. The best I have ever done is around 65 pounds in a year but that was after learning how to lose the weight and what skills I needed to have in place. As you do this day in a day out there is an accumulative effect so don't think a .4 loss is not good - it wasn't a gain and that is in fact good and it furthers you down the road which is also good. Shelly you can do this by focusing all of your resources on your effort to lose weight. Set things up in such a way that you support your plan.
08 Aug 20 by member: 59Carol
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awesome story. i love it. sometimes doctors assume your every other patient they see. that's hard. but your doing awesome. so many have allowed these stupid circumstances to become a stumbling block but you used it to overcome. excellent work I'm encouraged and happy for you. truly awesome.
08 Aug 20 by member: one.point.O
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Doctors don’t just discriminate against women about weight, men experience it as well. And just wait until age discrimination is added. You are doing great and especially doing great with maintaining a positive, intelligent attitude. I’ve needed help with that (positive attitude) this year; not such a problem in previous years.
07 Sep 20 by member: TomLong
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I agree Tom. The weight discrimination definitely affects both genders. Since many of us have gained weight over time and haven't been a socially acceptable weight in a long time the discrimination creeps up slowly and it is easy not to recognize its existence except when it is terribly blatant. When the weight comes off the absence of discrimination becomes more evident. The discrimination is not only in the medical field but also in store clerks, colleagues at work and from the 'person on the street'. Quite all pervasive.
07 Sep 20 by member: 59Carol
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